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.

Get around
Nakusp is small enough to be easily walkable.

See and do

 * Back country skiing: there are back country ski lodges around Nakusp.
 * Back country skiing: there are back country ski lodges around Nakusp.
 * Back country skiing: there are back country ski lodges around Nakusp.
 * Back country skiing: there are back country ski lodges around Nakusp.
 * Back country skiing: there are back country ski lodges around Nakusp.