The Nakusp and District Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Village of Nakusp and Destination BC support the Nakusp Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre operates full time during the summer season to support the influx of visitors to our region with information on local trails, hot springs, biking and many other activities and events. Throughout the year, the Visitor Centre promotes its Chamber of Commerce members and offers a variety of services including copying, faxing, email access, laminating and printing to the public. The Visitor Centre is also the distribution point of the “Welcome Home” package for new residents. Stop in and see us today. Scan the QR code for hours of operation. We are located at 92 - 6 Ave NW at the paddlewheel!
250-265-4234
NEW DENVER VISITOR’S CENTRE
The Slocan Lake Visitor Centre in New Denver is the hub of local information for travellers, adventure seekers, and those wanting to experience the local Kootenay lifestyle. The Visitor Centre is housed in the historic Bank of Montreal building (built 1897) and the building also contains the Silvery Slocan Museum. Take a stroll though our 100 year old history, or stay in the now with free wifi access. We are open 7 days a week from June 1st to the Labour day weekend in September and will remain open on weekends through to the end of September.
Free Internet and WIFI Access
Save-On Foods - 510 Broadway St. W, Nakusp Nakusp Visitor’s Centre – 92 6th Ave. NW, Nakusp
What’s Brewing - 420 Broadway St. W, Nakusp Mountaintop Coffee – 109 Broadway St. W, Nakusp
Nakusp Visitor’s Centre
QUICK FACTS
Nakusp population (2023) 1,716
Nakusp elevation 1,500 ft (457 m)
New Denver population (2016) 473
New Denver elevation 1,840 ft (560m)
Financial institutions
Kootenay Savings Credit Union, Nakusp
Kootenay Savings Credit Union, New Denver
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Nakusp VantageOne Credit Union, Edgewood
Arrow Lakes Hospital 97 1st Ave. NE 250-265-3622
Slocan Community Health Centre
401 Galena Ave. 250-358-7911
Nakusp Public Library 92 6th Ave. NW 250-265-3363 nakusplibrary.ca
Canada Post
605 Broadway St. W, Nakusp 5549 Frontage Rd., Burton 121 Oak St., Fauquier 211 Lakeshore Ave., Edgewood 219 6 St., New Denver
They are held every Saturday on the block in front of the post office and at the Old Firehall Collective.
GETTING TO NAKUSP
By car
Revelstoke 105 km
Nelson 146 km
Castlegar 146 km
Vernon 194 km
Calgary 512 km
By bus
Vancouver 630 km
Spokane 377 km
Highway 6 south
Highway 23 north
BC Transit operates a bus between Nelson and Nakusp on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as a local Health Connections service.
By air
The closest commercial airports are in Castlegar and Kelowna. Nakusp also has an airstrip.
Ferry crossings
Three free ferries cross the Arrow Lakes.
Needles ferry. Waterbridge photo
Galena ferry. Waterbridge photo
Upper Arrow Lake
Crosses Upper Arrow Lake between Galena Bay (east side, north of Nakusp) and Shelter Bay (west side, south of Revelstoke). Sails from Shelter Bay on the top of the hour from 5 a.m. to midnight and from Galena Bay on the bottom of the hour from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Crossing time: 20 minutes. Capacity: 80 vehicles, 250 passengers.
Needles
Crosses Lower Arrow Lake between Fauquier (east side) and Needles (west side). Sails from Fauquier on the top of the hour from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from Needles at quarter after and quarter to the hour from 5:15 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. On demand from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crossing time: 5 minutes. Capacity: 40 vehicles, 135 passengers.
Arrow Park
Ferry crosses Upper Arrow Lake on demand from 5 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 9:20 p.m., 22 km south of Nakusp on Highway 6. Crossing time: 5 minutes. Capacity: 24 vehicles, 48 passengers.
Towing/Garages/Tire Shops:
North Nakusp Towing (BCAA) – 788 Hwy 6E 250-265-2265
O’Brien’s Towing – 1007 Hwy 23 250-265-4577
North Nakusp Automotive – 1350 13th Ave. NW 250-265-4406
Hewat Repairs – 1008 Hwy 23 250-265-3124
Nakusp Auto Parts –301 Broadway St. W 250-265-3131
The Lodge at Arrow Lakes 515 Broadway St. W, Nakusp 250-265-3618 arrowlakeslodge.com
Summit Lake Provincial Park Highway 6, 18 km south of Nakusp 250-265-4710 bcparks.ca/explore/ parkpgs/summit_lk
Whatshan Lake Retreat 645 Whatshan Lake Rd., Whatshan 250-275-4793 whatshan.com
New Denver Lodge 6560 BC-6, New Denver 250-608- 8410 www.newdenverlodge.com
Hummingbird Cabins early@uniserve.com
McDonald Creek Park Highway 613 km south of Nakusp
Georgia Calder photo
MOUNTAIN BIKING
MOUNT ABRIEL
The Nakusp and Area Bike Society has developed an extensive trail network at the Mount Abriel Recreation Site, along with a bike skills park, and a campground with 40 sites. Trails are available for hiking and running, mountain biking, and e-bikes. It has 3kms of green/beginner rollers and berms and 2kms of blue wide and rolly with an elevation of over 1000k from bottom to top. nakuspbikesociety.ca
Directions: From Nakusp, drive 8 km north on Highway 23. The turnoff is on the left, with signs 300 meters before the turnoff.
KOOTENAY ADAPTIVE
Nakusp is home to the Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association, which promotes more inclusive communities through adaptive mountain biking. This allows riders who can’t use a standard mountain bike to enjoy cycling through equipment designed to meet their needs, such as handcycles, recumbent leg-cycles, bucket bikes, and tandem bikes. The association has a bike rental fleet and programs including camps and clinics. kootenayadaptive.com
Nakusp’s chief claim to fame is its soothing mineral pools. Tucked in the forest of the Kuskanax Valley, two pools are fed by water from natural springs. The hot pool is kept at 107°F (41°C) in the winter and 103°F (38°C) in the summer. The warm pool is kept at 100°F (38°C) in the winter and 97°F (36°) in the summer. Open year-round 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. Cedar chalets and a campground for RVs or tents are on site.
Halcyon Hot Springs Resort has a wide variety of accommodations scattered throughout serene, forested surroundings. Choose from private cabins, family-style cottages and loft chalets for your private getaway. All are within walking distance of the hot springs and onsite spa and restaurant. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and from 7 to 9 p.m. for private bookings.
Halfway Hot Springs
halfwayhotsprings.com
These natural springs can be accessed off Highway 23, 37 km north of Nakusp. Developed by BC Parks, it has a site host. There is a nightly fee per party. There are 12 vehicle-access camping spots, and another 10 spread out through the forest. Please respect the area and posted rules. In addition to the springs, Halfway is a great snowshoeing spot.
Nakusp & District Museum
92 6th Ave. NW, Nakusp 250-265-0015
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m., May to September
Located in the basement of the Centennial Building, the museum is packed with artifacts and exhibits on the history of the Arrow Lakes, including the Sinixt First Nation, sternwheelers, the art and life of prolific photographer Ichiro Shiino, and the unusual artwork of Eugene Leveque.
The repository of the Arrow Lakes Historical Society contains thousands of photographs, books, newspapers, maps, audio and video recordings, and clipping files that tell the region’s story. Explore your family history or browse one of the society’s many popular publications. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays on the upper floor of the Centennial Building (access from the side), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May to December and 12 to 3 p.m. January to April.
Halfway Hot Springs.
Nakusp Rail Society
The society is the steward of a 1977 caboose, 1913 Jordan spreader and 1921 snowplow donated to the Village of Nakusp by CP Rail in 2016. The vintage rolling stock, which recalls the days when Nakusp was a railway town, can be found in the 900 block of Broadway Street in Nakusp Recreation Park.
Nakusp Public Library
92 6th Ave. NW, Nakusp nakusplibrary.ca
Located in the Centennial Building, the library is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. Explore books, electronic resources, and more.
Nakusp and Area Youth Society
250-265-2206 nays.ca
This group provides a drop-in space, and organizes field trips, arts nights, and other activities for youth.
Burton City Cider
5740 Highway 6, Burton 250-265-7544
burtoncitycider.ca
Burton City Cider has been crafting crisp, dry ciders, available on tap and in bottles throughout the region since 2016. During the summer, enjoy light lunches, pre-order picnics and snacks along with a selection of craft beer, wine, and liquors. Thursdays are pizza nights from 5 to 8 p.m. You can also order pizza on Saturday nights in July and August.
Nakusp Rail Society.
Valley of the Springs Winery
890 Alexander Rd., Nakusp 250-265-3075
valleyofthespringswinery.com
One of the newest additions to the Arrow Lakes, Valley of the Springs roduces high quality wines with distinct flavours characteristic of the unique terroir and climate of the region. Open Wednesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October, or by appointment.
Prima Materia Gallery
206 Broadway St., Nakusp 250-265-3288
A beautiful world import retail gallery, specializing in Latin American textiles and hand made gifts. Open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Studio Connexion Gallery
203 5th Ave., Nakusp
250-265-8888
studioconnexiongallery.com
Studio Connexion Gallery exhibits fine art featuring Canadian artists works mainly landscapes, wildlife and abstract. Regular exhibitions from mid-May to mid-October.
Old Firehall Collective 90 5th Ave., Nakusp 250-265-8265
oldfirehallcollective.com
The village’s old fire hall is now home to a group whose vision is to restore agriculture and promote self-suffiency in food production. The 50-Mile Farmers’ Market is held there every Saturday as well as a Fringe Friday market every Friday afternoon from March through December, and a flea market on the first Sunday of each month from April to December. A community kitchen is available for rent and a community garden is underway.
Arrow Lakes Fine Arts 250-863-7633
Arrow Lakes Arts District Council 250-306-6519
Arrow Lakes Movie Theatre 90 4th Ave.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
HIKING TRAILS
The Nakusp and Area Community Trails Society maintains nine trails. For a full list and detailed maps, see nakusptrails.ca, but we’ll highlight three popular routes of varying difficulty.
Cedar Grove Trail 0.5 km. Easy.
A gentle loop through a stand of majestic old growth western red cedar. Hikers of all abilities can access this interior rainforest.
Hot Springs Trail 8.5 (one way). Easy-moderate.
This all-season trail provides great hiking, biking and horseback riding and some snowshoeing. The trail meanders along the side slope above Kuskanax Creek from just outside Nakusp to the hot springs, following a packhorse route of 1912.
Saddle Mountain Trail 5.3 km (one way). Moderate.
The trail climbs Saddle Mountain to a rocky knob above the treeline, once a forest service fire lookout. It offers a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
GOLF
Nakusp Centennial Golf Course
649 Highway 6, Nakusp 250-265-4531 nakuspgolf.ca
This nine-hole course delivers incredible scenery at great value.
Fauquier & District Golf Course Highway 6, Fauquier 250-269-7414 fauquiergolf.com
A spectacular nine-hole course on Lower Arrow Lake, with views of the Monashee Mountains.
Slocan Lake Golf Club 101 Golf Course Rd. New Denver, BC 250-358-2408
This nine-hole course offers narrow fairways, enormous trees and a view of the Valhalla Range.
BOATING
What could be a more appropriate activity during your time on the Arrow Lakes? Public boat launches can be found at Nakusp, Edgewood, Fauquier, Burton, and McDonald Creek. Several local outfitters rent paddle boards, canoes, and other watercraft.
FISHING
Try your hand at landing a rainbow or bull trout. Dolly varden in Upper Arrow Lake average 5 kg. Follow Blue Knuckle Derby on Facebook for the annual fishing derby in January.
Saddle Mountain Lookout.
SKIING
Summit Lake Ski & Snowboard Area
2915 Highway 6, Summit Lake 250-265-3312 (during ski season)
skisummitlake.com
Summit Lake offers an affordable skiing and boarding experience for the whole family, including a day lodge complete with cafeteria, ski shop with rentals, lessons with qualified instructors, t-bar and rope tow, bunny hill and beginner areas, terrain park, tube park, snowshoe/cross country trail, daily grooming, and a good selection of expert runs. Open Wednesdays to Sunday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays 6 to 9 p.m.
MORE TO EXPLORE
Nakusp Skate Park
End of Broadway Street, Nakusp
A streetstyle park designed to meet the needs of all skill levels. It includes ledges, rails, flat banks, four sets of stairs with handrails, a three foot open-ended bowl with coping, pyramid and a funbox.
Waterfront walkway and gardens
Nakusp’s waterfront offers a stunning view of Upper Arrow Lake along a level, paved pathway with benches, shade trees, and beautiful garden areas.
Nakusp & District Sports Complex
200 8th Ave. NW, Nakusp 250-265-4500
The recreational hub of the community houses indoor squash courts, a four-sheet curling rink, arena used for hockey, figure skating, and public skating, and a large auditorium.
Kuskanax Creek footbridge
This beautiful suspension bridge, completed in 2013, is a short walk from Nakusp Hot Springs and will lead you to the hot springs source and Kuskanax Falls.
Kuskanax Footbridge.
Nakusp Waterfront. Carley Cooke photo
EXPLORE THE REGION
BURTON
burtonbc.ca
This village south of Nakusp on Highway 6 is home to a cidery, campground, post office, and community learning centre. It’s a popular place for birdwatching and kite flying (when lake levels are low, the flats provide major wind gusts).
EDGEWOOD
This quaint settlement on the west side of Lower Arrow Lake services the farms of the Inonoaklin Valley. It has a store, campground, credit union, elementary school, post office, and Royal Canadian Legion hall.
FAUQUIER
The eastern terminal of the Lower Arrow Lake ferry, Fauquier (pronounced foke-yer) also boasts a store, motel, campground, post office, and golf course.
SANDON
Experience, explore and enjoy this historical site. Visit the gift shop, museum or camp overnight.
SUMMIT LAKE
This popular spot is home to Summit Lake Ski and Snowboard Area, the centre of winter recreation; Summit Lake Provincial Park, where Toadfest is held each year to help western toadlets migrate across the highway; and on the east side of the lake, the Nakusp and Slocan Railway Trail.
BEATON, TROUT LAKE, FERGUSON
These old mining towns northeast of Nakusp are being rediscovered by a new generation of recreation enthusiasts. Trout Lake boasts the Windsor Hotel, built in 1897, as well as a gas station that still uses gravity-fed pumps.
Edgewood. Steven Johnson photo
NEW DENVER
New Denver is a small municipality of about 500 residents situated on the eastern shore of beautiful Slocan Lake. It is surrounded by the tall peaks of the Selkirk Mountain range and in close proximity to the picturesque Valhalla Provincial Park. World class outdoor amenities are a defining feature of the area and are enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike including Slocan Lake and its beaches, area parks, and hiking, biking, and ski trails.
Founded in 1892 and incorporated in 1929, the Village has a dynamic history including a mining boom in its founding days, a Japanese Canadian internment camp in the 1940s, and a residential facility for Doukhobor children in the 1950s. Following mining and forestry economic ups and downs, the village is now a small, vibrant community with a diverse population.
New Denver is fully serviced including a kindergarten to grade 12 public school, a dedicated multi-age child care centre, preschool, health care centre, RCMP station, post office, liquor store, pharmacy, credit union, insurance agency, gas stations, grocery stores, and more.
