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McDonald Creek Provincial Park, Nakusp |
1. Hot Springs
Nakusp Hot Springs is located on Hot Springs Road 14 km NE of Nakusp. As you drive, look for Gardner Creek falls (aka Victoria Falls) on the left. Or, hike the Hot Springs Trail through towering hemlock and cedar trees (8.5 km one way, 400 metres elevation gain) to the hot springs.
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Nakusp Hot Springs |
Noel Ballard keeps the hot pools – one warm and one hot – at the perfect temperature; adjusting the water temperature by the weather. We loved relaxing here, watching the hummingbirds, and enjoying the mountain views with only a few other visitors (mid day, mid week is pretty quiet). If you’re feeling peckish after, try the locally made calzones and lasagna at the cafe – so good! Make it a weekend of hot springs and hiking with a chalet or camping stay.
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Kuskanax Creek Bridge |
Your visit to the hot springs isn’t complete unless you visit the award winning Kuskanax Creek Footbridge. The beautiful covered bridge is an easy 2-minute walk from the hot springs. Going Further: At the far end of the bridge, the right fork leads to the source of the hot springs (1 km) and Kimbol Lake (4 km), while the left thin fork leads to powerful Kuskanax Falls (10 minutes one way). Keep kids and pets close as the creek is raging and there is no barrier.
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Kuskanax Falls |
Halcyon Hot Springs is 35 km north of Nakusp and has four lovely pools overlooking Upper Arrow Lake as well as lodging, a spa, and restaurant. Dining at the Kingfisher Restaurant is divine and the views are incredible! We plan to stay in a cabin next time so we can spend more time at the hot springs! Don’t miss Ione Falls on the way; the cascading 18-metre high falls are stunning! For more information, read our trip report: Why you should visit Halcyon Hot Springs.
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Halcyon Hot Springs |
2. Wild Hot Springs
3. Nakusp Waterfront Walkway
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Spicer Garden, Nakusp Waterfront Walkway |
The Nakusp Waterfront Walkway is a beautiful walk along Upper Arrow Lake. Start from the marina and enjoy the Marina Garden, Spicer Garden, Japanese Garden, and Nakusp Beach. Interpretive signs reveal Nakusp’s mining history and tell the tale of how the Arrow Lakes were formed. It’s a beautiful, paved walkway that ends at a sandy beach! Allow at least half an hour to enjoy the 1 km stroll.
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Japanese Garden, Nakusp Waterfront Walkway |
Near the beach: Visit the refurbished CP Rail caboose and snowplow. A lot of work has gone into them and they look great! Nakusp Recreation Park, across the street from the beach, has a nice playground (Rotary Play Park), gazebo, skate park, rec centre, tennis courts.
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Nakusp Beach |
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Restored caboose near Nakusp Beach |
Events: Don’t miss the Nakusp Farmer’s Market from May long weekend until early October at 5 Ave SW and Broadway St W, and Music In The Park on Wednesday nights (summer only) at the gazebo from 6:30 pm – 8 pm.
4. Paddling / Boating
Summit Lake Provincial Park is another popular paddling spot with calm water.
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Stand up paddleboarding on Upper Arrow Lake |
5. Beaches
Beach time in Nakusp is wonderful! Check out the paddling map above and find a secluded paddle-in beach, or enjoy the convenience of Nakusp Beach, located at the west end of the waterfront. The yellow, sandy beach has a shaded, grassy area, beachball volleyball court, floating-dock waterslide, roped-off swimming area, and washrooms. There’s also a playground across the street.
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Nakusp Beach |
Nearby McDonald Creek Provincial Park has a sandy beach, and Summit Lake Provincial Park has a small (100 metre long) shale/pebble beach. Both parks have pretty day use areas with picnic tables and washrooms.
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McDonald Creek Provincial Park |
6. Hiking
Some of the best hikes in Nakusp are located on/near Hot Springs Road:
- Nakusp Hot Springs to Kuskanax Creek Footbridge and Kuskanax Falls (about 1 km return) is a must-see if visiting the hot springs.
- Hot Springs Trail from Nakusp to Nakusp Hot Springs (8.5 km one way, 400 metres elevation gain) climbs gradually through cedar and hemlock along the old pioneer packhorse route.
- Cedar Grove Trail (1 km loop): Walk amongst 30 metre / 100-foot tall giant old growth western red cedars, some – some 2m/6.5ft in diameter.
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Trail to Kuskanax Falls |
Idaho Peak (2 km one way) is about 50 km from Nakusp, but boasts some of the best wildflowers in BC so it is highly recommended during the summer months. Allow about an hour to drive to the trailhead.
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Lush vegetation near Nakusp Hot Springs |
For more information, see Nakusp Hot Springs – Trail Maps or the Nakusp Visitor Information Centre.
7. Fishing
8. Camping
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The beach was steps from our campsite! |
Burton Historical Park, 36 km west of Nakusp, is a favorite campground of Nakusp locals that was recommended to us several times. This family-friendly campground is located on the shores of Arrow Lakes and has showers and flush toilets as well as sandy beaches, a picnic area, volleyball net, and horseshoe pit.
Camping is also available at Nakusp Municipal Campground (forested sites 3 blocks from the beach near the baseball diamond, showers), Nakusp Hot Springs (mountainside camping near Kuskanax Creek, tent sites in the open, RV sites near the creek are partially shaded), and Halcyon Hot Springs (RV sites and tents sites are close together and in the open but have nice views).
9. Golf at Nakusp Centennial Golf Club.
10. Dining
From juicy, made-to-order burgers at The Hut Drive Inn Restaurant, to fine dining at the Kingfisher Restaurant and Lounge (at Halcyon Hot Springs), the village of Nakusp has a surprisingly good selection of eateries. Grab a beer at Leland’s, the oldest continuously running hotel in BC with an awesome lakeside patio! Gabi’s Fairytale Cafe has Nakusp’s best coffee and scones, and handmade chocolates from Jennifer’s Chocolate Shop make a great treat or souvenir.
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Kingfisher Restaurant at Halcyon Hot Springs – fine dining with gorgeous views |
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The Hut Drive Inn, Nakusp for delicious burgers and chicken strips |
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Jennifer’s Chocolate Shop, Nakusp for a tasty treat |
Bonus: Winter Fun
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Pin me! |
Getting There
Nakusp is about 6.5 hours from Calgary and getting there is half the fun! Head west on Highway 1, then leave the TransCanada Highway at Revelstoke and take the road less travelled: Highway 23 south. The scenic route to Nakusp winds through mountains along Upper Arrow lake and includes a free ferry ride at the halfway point. From the ferry, it’s 48 km to Nakusp.
3 comments
So helpful. Thanks so much
You’re welcome! I hope you had a great trip! Did you make it to both hot springs?
Thank you!
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