Vacation rentals in Nakusp

Nestled on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Nakusp is a scenic village famous for its location near several natural hot springs. Visitors come here all year round to rejuvenate themselves in the warm, mineral-rich waters, taking in striking views of the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains as they soak. Nakusp’s small town center is lined with restaurants and shops, and its museum offers insight into the history of the area and the First Nations who have made it home for centuries.

In the summer, Nakusp’s sandy beach and the calm waters of the lake provide pleasant conditions for swimming, boating, kayaking, and even snorkelling. There are picturesque golf courses nearby, as well as many hiking and mountain-biking trails to explore, such as the eight-kilometre out-and-back Kimbol Lake Trail, which leads up to a secluded lake. In the winter, you can spend your days cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling in the backcountry before heading to the bubbling water of the hot springs, letting the snow fall around you.

Nakusp experiences four distinct seasons, with hot, dry summers and chilly, snowy winters. From June through August, you can expect mostly warm and sunny days for hiking on the trails or enjoying time at the lake. The nights do cool down, even in August, so it’s a good idea to bring a jacket along with your sunscreen. The town is full of activity in summer, with the Nakusp Farmers’ Market every Saturday from May until October and Music in the Park every Wednesday night at the park gazebo.

Every July, neighboring Kaslo showcases a weekend of blues, jazz, folk, and world musicians on a floating stage on Kootenay Lake. In spring and autumn, you can expect a mix of pleasant and cooler rainy days, while winter brings below-freezing temperatures and snowy conditions, so make sure to pack heavy outerwear and multiple layers. In late November, the Nakusp Celebration of Light features a parade through town, as well as carolling and dancing.

Wild Hot Springs

Nakusp is known for the spa-like hot springs that operate around the region, but a short hike can also take you to wild hot springs. Halfway Hot Springs are the easiest ones to get to, though the steep trails can be tricky to navigate. Once you get to the springs you’ll find water bubbling out of the hillside into mud-bottomed pools lined with stones. If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll have to park at the highway outside the springs and snowshoe in via the seven-mile service road.

Kuskanax Creek Footbridge & Falls

Just a short walk from the hot springs, you’ll find a picturesque covered bridge over the rushing Kuskanax Creek. The 36-metre-long bridge, built recently, has a viewing platform in the middle. Once you’ve taken in the surrounding landscape, continue along the path 10 minutes to the Kuskanax Falls, which are particularly impressive in the spring. From here you can also walk about one kilometre to the source of the hot springs or four kilometres to Kimbol Lake.

The Nakusp Waterfront Walkway

This one-kilometre paved walkway, just south of Broadway Street, follows the shore of Upper Arrow Lake to Nakusp Beach, offering spectacular vistas of the lake and mountains. There are plenty of benches along the way, as well as detours such as the Spicer Garden and the Japanese Garden, and interpretive signs offering insight into Nakusp’s early mining history. Near the beach, be sure to look out for the refurbished CP Rail caboose and snowplow.