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Fauquier
Fauquier pronounced 'Folkyeah' or 'Folkier' is located 57 km (36
miles) south of Nakusp on Hwy 6 along the
east side of Lower Arrow Lake.
Ferry
Across Lower Arrow Lake
Fauquier is situated at a point on Hwy 6 where the Lower Arrow Lake
joins the Upper Arrow Lake at a point called the Needles. In order
to cross the two Arrow Lakes, you have to take a ferry to Needles
and Edgewood over to the west side. Hwy
6 eventually goes on to Lumby
and Vernon in the
Okanagan Valley.
BC
Hydro
Before the late 1960's Fauquier was at a geographical location that
was farther to the west. Unfortunately, due to flooding caused by
the raising of the reservoir by BC Hydro's Hugh Keenleyside Dam
8 km (5 miles) west of Castlegar Fauquier
had to be moved. Across Lower Arrow Lake the other small community
of Needles ended up being abandoned.
Local
Businesses
There are around three hundred people residing in Fauquier. The
small settlement has most of the conveniences required found at
the general store J&S Snacks which features a liquor outlet.
Most of the businesses are housed in one building complex near the
ferry terminal. Unfortunately because of economic hard times the
Mushroom Addition Restaurant and Fauquier Gas West is now closed.
Fauquier
Golf Course
Also located near the ferry terminal is the semi-private 9-hole
Fauquier & District Golf Course. The challenging par 3 course
plays right next to the Lower Arrow Lake. The course features include
following the shoreline, beautiful westerly views towards the lake
and a boat launch. Please telephone (250) 269-7414 for more information.
Eco-Tourism
For eco-tourism adventures that include guided hiking treks and
back-country skiing tours in the winter you have the option of trying
Valkyr Adventures. They offer a very pristine lodge set high in
the mountains above Arrow Lakes.
RV
Accommodation
If RV accommodation is required there are a few choices across Lower
Arrow Lake. Just north of Needles by 2 km, there is the full-service
Plum Hollow Camping, telephone (250) 269-7669. Also to the north,
there is the non-serviced campground, Whatshan Lake Campground.
Then south of Needles there is the community-managed campsite in
Edgewood.
Recreation
Sites
There are also two rustic forest service recreation sites south
of Fauquier at Taite and Octopus Creeks.
Taite
Creek Campground
The old forest service recreation site, Taite Creek, is a small
lakeside campground set in a beautiful forest. The features include
a boating area, stone beach area and a very sunny westerly view.
Gravel
Forestry Road
Take the gravel forestry road on the south side of Fauquier situated
near the ferry terminal. Taite Creek can be hard to find, so make
sure you have a backroads map book or ask for directions in Fauquier.
Octopus
Creek
Just south of Taite Creek there is the other forestry campsite at
Octopus Creek. This campsite is not as private as Taite Creek but
has lakeside access and features great boating.
Hotsprings
If you are adventurous there are also some hard-to-find hotsprings
located up through a bush trail following the Octopus Creek. Expect
to have a round trip of around five hours. Coordinates are approximately
49° 44' 11" N, 118° 4' 48" W.
Accommodation
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