British Columbia’s Secret Lakeside Town With Hot Springs Is ‘An Oasis Of Arts, Culture And Relaxation’

Perched on the edge of Upper Arrow Lake, between the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges, is a quiet town known for its vibrant arts community and access to natural hot springs. This small town of just over 1,500 residents is known as “an oasis of art, culture and relaxation,” where visitors can enjoy the best that the West Kootenays have to offer.

Galleries and public art are scattered throughout this stoplight-free lakeside town, which was once a hidden secret in British Columbia’s unique inland temperate rainforest. Today, the secret is out as residents of nearby areas like Castlegar, Revelstoke and Kaslo, Canada’s charming “Little Switzerland”, have embraced the relaxing ambiance and healing properties of the area’s many hot springs, overlooking crystal clear waters and spectacular peaks.

While the Sinixt people inhabited this picturesque valley for 10,000 years, the town of Nakusp only emerged in 1892 as part of the fur trade route and mining boom that began around that time. The mining boom ended, but the town held on, and today you can see remnants of its past in early 20th century buildings accented by pretty landscaping.

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Hot springs near Nakusp

Although hot springs are typically found in volcanic areas, southeastern British Columbia is not a volcanic hotspot. The thermal waters around Nakusp are formed by rainwater and melting snow penetrating deep into the earth, where they heat before flowing back to the surface, emerging in fractures and fissures. A valley is an area particularly suitable for the formation of hot springs like this, which is why Nakusp is known as the “Valley of Hot Springs”.

Less than a 20-minute drive from town is Nakusp Hot Springs, a community site with beautiful views of the Kuskanax Valley. These hot springs are open year-round, except for a few weeks in the spring and fall for routine cleaning, and supplemented by a campground open in the summer and year-round cabins. If you’re looking for a luxurious destination to soak in hot springs and enjoy epic views, then head to Halcyon Hot Springs, less than a 30-minute drive from Nakusp. This spa resort features swimming pools with stunning views of the Monashee Mountains and Upper Arrow Lake, which are accessible year-round to non-hotel guests.

If your ideal spa destination is surrounded by dense forest, check out Halfway Hot Springs, about a 35-minute drive outside of town. The last 11 miles are on a poorly maintained dirt road, which means the journey may take longer. Access to these primitive hot springs requires a short but steep hike. You’ll find changing rooms and outside toilets (bring your own toilet paper), but no trash cans, so leave no trace. Keep in mind that while nudity is technically illegal in British Columbia, clothing is often optional at this particular hot spring.

Discover the Nakusp art scene

Nakusp is the largest of Arrow Slocan’s 20 communities – towns of Arrow Lakes and Slocan Valley – which may be why this lakeside enclave has become a hub for artists and creatives. The Studio Connexion Gallery is a former antique furniture store that has transformed into a gallery showcasing local artists from the region and Canada, while the ALFA (Arrow Lakes Fine Arts) Guild is organizing exhibitions and building a community arts center in a former logging building that is scheduled to open in spring 2026. A great resource is the Arrow Lakes District Arts Council Society, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that has been hosting events like concerts and connecting people with local artists for over 40 years old.

Part of Nakusp’s charm is its remoteness. Although it’s not exactly easy to reach (the closest international airport, Kelowna International Airport, is a three-hour drive), it makes a great day or weekend trip for residents of southeastern British Columbia. There are three direct routes to Nakusp. Visitors can travel from Nelson or Castlegar, Vernon and Revelstoke, home to the world’s best powder ski resort. Nelson and Castlegar are less than two hours away by car. Vernon is 2.5 hours away, while Revelstoke is 1.5 hours away, although if you are traveling from either of these locations you will need to take the free ferry across Upper Arrow Lake to reach Nakusp.

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