Kelowna 
The shores of British Columbia’s Arrow Lakes offer a ton of space, parks, trails, and beaches for summer getaways. And while some areas are provincial parks with camping and small beaches, there are many attractive communities and towns along these shores and highways that offer much more to see and do. Nakusp is one of the more bustling towns in the Kootenay Rockies, boasting its own local beach and proximity to several other lakes.
Credit – Destination BC/Kari Medig
The lake life in Nakusp is easy to find, embrace, and enjoy all summer long, with events, dining, and shopping on Centre Street, all set against the backdrop of the beach. During the getaway, there will also be sights to see and visit around town, like the museum or the visitor’s centre. The Nakusp Visitor’s Centre is also a perfect place to start when it comes to navigating the dozens of trails around the surrounding hills and mountains.
Nakusp is located approximately 240 km from Kelowna and 105 km from Revelstoke.
Water Adventures on Arrow Lake
Nakusp is a perfect destination for anyone who wants centre their getaway around beach days or water adventures. Nakusp has its own local beach and swimming area, while other nearby parks offer more ways to enjoy Arrow Lake as well as some of the region’s smaller or quieter lakes.
- The Nakusp Municipal Beach is in the heart of town on the shores of Arrow Lake and beside the Municipal Campground. This beach and swimming area provides your beach day with a stunning backdrop of forests and mountains while the actual beach offers both soft sand and grassy fields with tree coverage. The beach has amenities like washrooms and parking, picnic tables, sports courts, and a skate park.
- Additionally, the Visitor’s Centre offers summer paddle rentals and route recommendations.
- McDonald Creek Provincial Park has a 6km stretch of sandy beach along the east side of Arrow Lake. The park also has a public boat launch where there is space for motorized boats, canoes, and kayaks. Paddle boats like canoes, kayaks, and SUPs may also launch from the campground’s shorelines.
- The Upper Arrow Lake is massive, with its size coming into perspective once you’re out on a boat. The nearby Box Lake and Recreation Site provide a calmer, quieter, and more secluded boating experience along with a boat launch, a campground, and picnic facilities. Other smaller nearby lakes which allow boating or fishing include Wilson Lake West or East, or Little Wilson Lake.
- Summit Lake Provincial Park is a beautiful area for several types of activities, including fun on the waters of Summit Lake: fish for trout, take a peaceful paddle, and/or a dip in the lake.
The Best Trails around Nakusp
Credit Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton
The Nakusp Rail Line and Nakusp Slocan Line are trails that run around the north side of town and then south to end at the Municipal Beach. As the trail leaves Nakusp to the east, it follows up over a tall ridge, winds around the golf course, and continues east for about 55km. Enjoy the simple 5km of the trail around Nakusp or create a much bigger adventure out of the Nakusp Slocan Trail. The Nakusp Waterfront Walk is also a must-visit trail in town. The paved path runs alongside the lake to the south of the beach. And along the trail are several stretches of manicured gardens and trees.
- There are many other great hiking opportunities near Nakusp! And thanks to the Nakusp & Area Community Trails Society, these are all clearly mapped out online with ratings for difficulty levels.
- Escape into some of the best forest scenery around Nakusp on the Kimbol Lake Trail. The hike is just over 9km to the lake and back to the parking lot as it winds around creeks, mature trees, and a bright green forest floor. There may also be time to stroll along the 0.5km Cedar Grove Trail, near the same Moose Creek as the start of the Kimbol Lake trail.
- Get in a slightly quicker hike at the Box Lake Recreation Site with the 3km out-and-back nature trail. The path closely follows the shores of Box Lake with several great waterfront views of Box Lake with the surrounding mountains. There is also a shorter 1.3km loop option.
- Ione Falls at the Ione Rest Area off of Highway BC-23 is an easy walk.
Kootenay Hot Springs
This part of the Kootenays and Selkirk Mountains offers a handful of choices for easily accessible hot springs. These locations are within a 30-minute drive from town.
Destination BC/Kari Medig
- Nakusp Hot Springs has the hot, natural pools to offer guests, as well as chalet rentals and a campground. The Hot Springs are also surrounded by a variety of nature trails, providing an opportunity to get some exercise before relaxing and soaking.
- Halcyon Hot Springs Resort provide anything you’d need on a vacation like accommodations, a restaurant, outdoor activities, and the beautiful pools that overlook Upper Arrow Lake.
- Halfway River Hot Springs offers their hot springs experience in a relatively natural environment with pools created from strategically placed rocks and boulders. Access to the hot springs requires a short hike to the pools, where there are also washrooms and a place to change.
Arts, History, & Culture
These opportunities for a closer look into the arts and history of Nakusp are sure to reveal a great deal about local culture.
- The Arrow Lakes Historical Society, Nakusp & District Museum, and the Nakusp Visitor’s Centre are all around or in the town’s Centennial Building. The museum and Visitor’s Centre both provide historical information and artifacts to help visitors learn more about Nakusp. The museum hosts a variety of local events for all ages,as hot dog fundraisers, a season opener party, Canada Day festivities to add to the town party, tea parties, and more!
- This little lakeside town has a beautiful arts scene with local public galleries to visit while exploring and strolling around the Nakusp sidewalks. Visit the Studio Connexion Gallery, who change up exhibits each month, or the ALFA Arts, who host the Columbian Culture Tour (August 8-9) in Nakusp.
Summer Dining
The warm weather, beach time, hiking, or boating, will all call for a hearty meal in town. Even the most relaxed of vacationers will find excellent options for social get togethers, a cold and refreshing drink, and plenty of locally made goodies.
Credit: Kootenay Rockies TourismMitch Winton
- Sip around Nakusp and the surrounding hills with the Valley of the Springs Winery, Mountain Top Café, What’s Brewing on Broadway, or the Arrow Lake Tavern Bar & Lounge. Most of these locations also serve food!
- Find the family or casual dining spots for a filling meal with places like Arrow & Anchor Pizza, The Hut Drive-in, or Three Lions Social House.
- Heading out to the recreation or trail areas east of Nakusp? Fill up on snacks or stock up on picnic foods from the Paddy Shack.
Nakusp Canada Day
Canada Day in Nakusp is a big, town-wide celebration with an array of events.
- The day begins with the Canada Day Parade and pancake breakfast, while the celebrations end with a fireworks display.
- Throughout the day, there will be live music at the beach gazebo while a sandcastle building contest takes place closer to the water.
- Take in the lively Lawnmower Races, the Car & Truck Show or browse around the food and vendor market.
Where to Stay in Nakusp
Take your pick among several awesome accommodation options in and near town! This includes an array of different ways to stay, like camping of all sorts, cabin and cottage rentals, waterfront property, and those hot spring resorts already mentioned.
- There are several places around Nakusp where you can find beautiful campsites among the hills, mountains, and forests. Nearby campgrounds include the McDonald Creek Provincial Park, Summit Lake Provincial Park the Box Lake Recreation Site, or the Mount Abriel Recreation Site.
- Elevate your stay, and get closer to town action or amenities with The Lodge at Arrow Lakes or the Leland Hotel.
- The outskirts of Nakusp in all three directions have more to offer like the Brouse Creek B&B, Murphy’s Landing Creekside & Lakefront Cabin & RV Resort, or the Arrow Lake Escape.
