The little village of Fauquier resides on Lower Arrow Lake, on the eastern side of the Needles Ferry terminal. Another free highway ferry crosses Upper Arrow Lake at Shelter Bay/Galena Bay (Highway 23).
Upper Arrow Lake and Lower Arrow Lake are widened portions of the Columbia River as it wends its way south to the US border. The Arrow Lakes are situated between the Selkirk Mountains to the east and the Monashee Mountains to the west. The lake shores feature rocky headlands and steep cliffs, with mountain sides that are heavily forested and rise sharply to elevations around 2,600 metres.
The present townsite didn’t exist until the 1960s, but it is evident that some of the houses are older than that, as many people moved their homes to Fauquier, off land to be flooded when BC Hydro dammed the lake. If you’re struggling with pronouncing the name, try “folkier” – easier to say and easy to remember.
The village is home to about 300 people, with most of the services that travellers might require.
Location: Fauquier is located on Highway 6 on the eastern shore of Arrow Lake in the Kootenays, and is the eastern terminal of the Arrow Lake ferry, connecting with Needles across the lake.
Ferry Route:
Car and Passenger Service across the Lower Arrow Lake, about 59 kilometres south of Nakusp on Highway 6, between Fauquier and Needles. The crossing time is 5 minutes, and the ferry capacity is 30 vehicles, 144 passengers. Operated by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure of the Province of British Columbia.
BC Ferry: Inland Ferry Services in British Columbia.
The historic white steepled Fauquier Church started out as a United Church, becoming a Catholic Church when it was moved to its present location. Now both use the building.
Join Fauquier residents and their guests at Christmas time as they take a traditional Horse and Carriage ride around the town.
Golf: Golfers can play the Fauquier Golf Course, situated along the shoreline of the beautiful Arrow Lakes. Putt on the interesting green projecting into the lake, or visit in winter and search for golf balls in the sand as the lake’s water level drops! The 9-hole semi-private Fauquier Golf Course is located on Highway 6, amongst beautiful mountain and lake scenery.
Golf Vacations in British Columbia.
Fishing: Head to the boat launch adjacent to the golf course, a favourite spot for anglers fishing for kokanee, rainbow trout and dolly varden.
Enjoy nature at the Fauquier Provincial Park, located just north of Fauquier Creek off Hwy 6.
Winter Activities: There’s plenty to do in these parts once Old Man Winter checks in. Located smack in the middle of the Selkirk Mountains to the east and the Monashees to the west, this area is a veritable playground for skiers, snowmobilers and even ice fishermen on Box and Trout Lakes. For the day skier, there’s the Summit Lake Ski Area just 20 km south of Nakusp on Hwy 6 to New Denver, and for those seeking more of a challenge, local helicopter skiing companies will whisk you and your guide high into the backcountry, where the finest virgin powder snow lies. Most communities in the area offer cross-country skiing; Barnes Creek between Fauquier and Edgewood, Wensley Creek Ski Trails closer to Nakusp, and the Upper Brouse Road area southeast of Nakusp are but a few that offer trails. Snowcat skiing and snowmobiling also await visitors who are ready for an adventure to happen.
Skiing & Winter Activities in the Kootenays.
Ghost Town: Travel back into the history of this region, to the ghost town of Sandon, once the Capital of the Silvery Slocan. Located 8 km east of New Denver, Sandon was an incorporated city of 5,000 people at the height of the mining boom in 1892. Two railroads once served this Monte Carlo of Canada, with its twenty nine hotels, twenty eight saloons, an opera house, two newspapers, five men’s clothing stores, a bank, and several other gambling halls, brothels, offices, stores and businesses. Now a renowned and restored historic site, Sandon lures thousands of visitors each summer.
Circle Tour: See the best of the area on The Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies Circle Tour. Travel the sunny interior of British Columbia, north through the Okanagan to Sicamous, following Highway 1 into the mountains of the BC Rockies. From Golden, head south through the Columbia Valley to Creston, and west through Boundary Country and the Southern Okanagan to complete the loop. Circle Tours in British Columbia.
