A Cozy Thanksgiving Weekend in Cultus Lake, BC
A Local’s Place
Cultus Lake may be known to local Vancouver residents as the favourite spot to swim in the summer, but the small community is also a great place to spend time in the fall season. The quaint locale is just an hour and a half’s drive from Vancouver, BC, or three hours from Kelowna, BC. My family has been spending the Thanksgiving holiday at Cultus Lake for a few years now, and this is why you should too! With beautiful fall leaves and a lake as still as glass, Cultus is the perfect cozy spot for a family holiday.
When To Book Your Rental
Much of the small Cultus Lake community is made up of vacation rentals. You can find short term spots to rent on Booking.com, Airbnb or VRBO. If you’re planning to spend next Thanksgiving at Cultus Lake, you may want to start looking now. The rentals book up far in advance for the holiday weekend (and year round, to be honest). If you want a lakefront spot, or one that comes equipped with kayaks, you’ll want to book as soon as you can.
Cultus Lake Areas: Main Beach vs Lindell Beach
There are two residential areas within Cultus Lake. The main area is closer to the highway and shops, and will be the first area you see when arriving to the lake. It has a water park and theme park that are closed for season by Thanksgiving, a golf course and campsite. There are multiple playgrounds along the pathway, and a pub restaurant within walking distance. I have stayed in this area three times because there are more rentals located here. It has an open waterfront with many docks and a path along the shore. This area is generally busier than Lindell Beach.
Lindell Beach is located across the water and is closer to the US border. It’s a smaller community with waterfront homes and a basketball court. There is no central path leading around the lake, but there is an inlet where Frost Creek enters Cultus Lake that can be interesting to explore. Although the waterfront has public access, you will be crossing the front yards of the lakefront houses when you access the lake. The best option would be to rent a waterfront property in Lindell, if you’d like to be close to the water.There is a large public park located between Main Beach and Lindell Beach, which you would need to drive to from either area. Since Lindell is further from the highway, it is quieter and less busy than the other area. I have stayed here once.
Walk Around The Lake
First on your list of things to do in Cultus: walk around the lake. The main beach area of Cultus Lake has an open waterfront with beaches and a trail running along one shore. There are many public docks to walk on. Peer over the edge and you may see minnows and crayfish! It’s fun to take a look at all the different cabins on the lake as you walk the shore. There are three playgrounds, a campsite and some shops nearby, too.
Kayak The Lake
Bringing your own kayaks along or renting a BNB that has some available to use is a game changer. It’s so fun to kayak or paddle board on the small lake, allowing you to see Cultus from a new point of view. You may also bring your powered boat or jet ski’s.
Get Super Cozy!
In the evening, the cottages along the lake are incredible cozy – perfect for a family dinner or an evening of board games. Bring your books, crossword puzzles and games or snuggle up for a good movie. The benefit of renting a cottage or vacation home at Cultus is that they all are full sized homes with kitchens. Most rentals have all the kitchen supplies needed to prepare meals – just bring your ingredients and recipes. Always check the rental’s posting for exactly what it includes. And if all else fails, the small town of Yarrow isn’t far away.
Enjoy The Weekend!
If you want to switch up your Thanksgiving weekend, check out Cultus Lake next year! The fresh air, colourful leaves and tranquil environment will be a welcome change leading up to the busy winter season. Have you visited Cultus Lake before? Leave a comment below!