Carmacks

Carmacks seen from the Yukon River bridge

Carmacks is a village of 500 people (2016) in Yukon. It is the home of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, a Northern Tutchone-speaking Aboriginal people.

Understand

Some call it "The Hub of the Yukon". It was a traditional stopover for travellers between Whitehorse and Dawson City.

The area around Carmacks has abundant mineral resources, including coal, copper, and gold. Various mining activities are taking place on mineral sites around Carmacks. There is a small zinc-copper mine in production near Carmacks operated by Western Silver and a gold property northwest of Carmacks which is in the exploration stage operated by Northern Freegold Resources based in Whitehorse.

History

The name of the settlement comes from George Carmack who, in 1891, found coal nearby. He created a trading post and began by engaging in commerce with local people, before opening a coal mine in the south bank of the Yukon River. The focus of his entrepreneurial energy switched a few years later when he or his wife, Kate Carmack, discovered gold, at what was to become the Discovery Claim, near Dawson City.

Get in

By car

Carmacks is on the Klondike Highway, 177 km north of Whitehorse and 355 km south of Dawson City.

By plane

1 Carmacks Airport is a small airport 3.5 nautical miles from the village.

By bus

• Husky Bus, ☏ +1 867 993-3821, info@klondikeexperience.com. Offers seasonal bus service from June to September between Dawson City and Whitehorse with stops along the way including in Carmacks. (updated Jun 2023)

By boat

Carmacks is on the Yukon River. For those travelling by boat from Whitehorse to Dawson City, it is the last reliable spot to obtain provisions.

See

• 1 Tage Cho Hudan Interpretive Centre (just north of the Yukon River bridge), ☏ +1 867 863-5831, tagechohudan@lscfn.ca. Mid-May to mid-Sep: daily 10AM–5PM, by appointment in the off-season. A museum that showcases the past and present culture of the Northern Tutchone with many fascinating exhibits. Indoor features include a moose skin boat, a dug-out canoe, a rare collection of stone and bone tools, a beaded slipper collection, and traditional outfits. Outdoors, visitors will find a walking trail through several First Nation outdoor displays. The centre is home to the world's only mammoth snare diorama. (updated Jul 2022)
• Every February, Carmacks hosts a checkpoint for the long-distance Yukon Quest sled dog race, and for the Yukon Arctic Ultra foot/ski/bike race.

Do

• 1 Carmacks Recreation Centre, 121 River Drive. M-Sa noon-9PM. Includes a curling rink, gymnasium, and a weight room. (updated Jul 2019)
• Carmacks has a swimming pool (next to the Recreation Centre), outdoor rink, playground, golf course, and a boardwalk.

Buy

• 1 Tatchun Centre General Store (across the parking lot from Hotel Carmacks). Summer 7AM-11PM, winter 7:30AM-10PM. Groceries, bakery, take-out chicken, hardware, and supplies. (updated Jul 2018)

Eat

• 1 Gold Panner Restaurant, 35607 North Klondike Highway (across the parking lot from Hotel Carmacks), ☏ +1 867-863-5221. Summer 6AM-9:30PM, winter 7AM-9PM. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Homemade soups, salads, burgers, Bison burgers, halibut steak, wild pacific salmon, or steaks. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 The Coal Mine Campground, Juntion of Klondike Hwy and Robert Campbell Hwy, ☏ +1 867 863-6363, coalminecampgroundcarmacks@yahoo.ca. Burgers, fries, ice cream, beer. (updated Jul 2022)

Drink

• Gold Dust Lounge, 35607 North Klondike Highway (attached to Hotel Carmacks), ☏ +1 867-863-5221. Daily noon-2AM. Bar with a juke box and occasional live music. (updated Jul 2022)

Sleep

• 1 The Coal Mine Campground, Juntion of Klondike Hwy and Robert Campbell Hwy, ☏ +1 867 863-6363, coalminecampgroundcarmacks@yahoo.ca. Cabins that sleep up to 6 people, tent pitches, showers and laundry. Variable Wi-Fi. (updated Jul 2019)
• 2 Hotel Carmacks, 35607 North Klondike Highway, ☏ +1 867-863-5221, info@hotelcarmacks.com. Hotel rooms, cabins and RV park with 30/50 amp service. RV $43-52, cabin for 4 $99, hotel room for 4 or for 2 with kitchenette $179. (updated Jul 2022)

Stay safe

• Carmacks Health Centre, 106 River Drive, ☏ +1 867 863-4444. Nurse on call 24 hours 
• RCMP Carmacks Detachment, ☏ +1 867 863-5555. Non-emergency phone +1 867 863-2677