Nakusp

Nakusp is a village of about 1,600 people (2011) in the West Kootenays of southeastern British Columbia.

Understand

Nakusp is known primarily for its nearby hot springs, which are a popular destination for tourists, as well as its picturesque mountain lakeside setting.

History

The area around Nakusp was occupied by Indigenous peoples from the Secwepemc, Sinixt and Ktunaxa peoples. In 1811, the first reported European explorer on the Arrow Lakes was Finan McDonald, an associate of David Thompson.

European settlers arrived in 1890, and the settlement took shape in 1892 with opening of the first post office, the first store and the first sawmill. The nearest train link was the Canadian Pacific Railway at Revelstoke, so all goods were shipped to the fledgling port of Nakusp.

The construction of the Keenleyside Dam north of Castlegar in 1968 and the resulting rise of the lake level caused the rearrangement of the village and its waterfront.

Mining used to be the most important industry in the area, but it was eclipsed by forestry which is today the major economic base of the village.

Get in

Nakusp is on the east side of Arrow Lake (Columbia River) about an hour drive and a 20-minute ferry ride south of Revelstoke on the Trans-Canada Highway.

By plane

The nearest commercial airports are Castlegar Airport and Kelowna International Airport. Both have car rental services available.

Nakusp also has an air strip available, and there is a weather cam at the airport.

By bus

BC Transit (West Kootenay Transit System), toll-free: +1-855-993-3100. On Wednesdays there is a bus that travels between Nakusp and Slocan City with a stop in New Denver. From Slocan City, there are several trips a day from Monday to Saturday that travel to Nelson. Also offers Health Connections trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays between Nakusp and Nelson with stops in New Denver and Slocan City. Health Connections trips are open to everyone to ride, but must be reserved in advance and trips to medical appointments receive priority. (updated Mar 2022)

Get around

Nakusp is small enough to be easily walkable.

See and do
  • 🌍 Waterfront Walkway. Go for a walk along the waterfront overlooking the Nakusp harbour. The town has done an excellent job of making the promenade attractive with benches, flower and shrub gardens and pleasant shade trees. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 🌍 Nakusp Hot Springs, 8500 Hot Springs Road (from town, head north on Highway 23 for 2-3 km, turn right on Hot Spring Rd and continue for 12 km), ☏ +1 250-265-4528. Two pools fed by water from natural mineral springs set in the forest a ways from the pools. The Hot Pool is kept at 41 °C (106 °F) in the winter and 38 °C (100 °F) in the summer. The Warm Pool is kept at 38 °C (100 °F) in the winter and 36 °C (97 °F) in the summer. Per dip/all day: adult $10.50/$16.50 all day, seniors (60+) $9.50/$13.50 all day, student/disability $9.50/$13.50 all day, youth(6-17) $9.50/$13.50 all day, children (5 & under) free, family (2 adults/2 youth) $34.00/$48.00. (updated May 2018)
  • 🌍 Covered bridge over the Kuskanax Creek (from east side of Nakusp Hot Springs, follow the marked trail 300 m heading east). There is an attractive covered bridge over the Kuskanax Creek by the hot springs. After you cross the bridge, head right 1 km to the source of the hot springs and 4 km to Kimbol Lake, or turn left and walk 10 min to the Kuskanax Falls. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 🌍 Nakusp Golf Club, 649 Hwy 6 (from Nakusp, follow Hwy 6 heading east), ☏ +1 250-265-4531. Go golfing. The golf course is about 3 km from the main part of the town near the water. (updated Apr 2023)
  • Back country skiing: there are back country ski lodges around Nakusp.

Buy

Eat

Drink
  • 🌍 Three Lions Pub and Chumley's Restaurant, 401 Broadway, ☏ +1 250-265-4944. Great fish and chips, burgers, nice patio. (updated May 2018)

Sleep

Cope

Go next
Routes through Nakusp
Vernon ← Lumby ← ←  W  E  → New Denver → Nelson
Revelstoke ← ←  N  S  → ENDS at


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