The Lodge has six guest rooms, a commercial kitchen and large gathering area. There is also a two bedroom residence, four cabins and six RV sites. Solar and wind power the property. Includes a foreshore lease with docks, breakwater and boat launch.
Foreign Buyer Ban does not apply to this property
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The Nechako Lodge was born out of respect for the land, so beautiful and wild. Careful consideration was given to the natural surroundings to minimize the ecological footprint. Wind and sun, harnessed with solar panels and wind turbines, produce power for the property. Heat from an outdoor wood boiler and wood stoves is fuelled mainly by waste wood to provide a cozy environment for the lodge and residence. Wood stoves provide heating for the guest cabins.
Active interface with local land and resource planning and membership with industry associations, including the BC Fishing Resorts and Outfitters Association, the BC Wilderness Tourism Association, and the Upper Nechako Wilderness Council, have helped guide the love and respect of this land.
Originally the lodge was built in the late 60s. At that time, an inaccessible location on Knewstubb Lake, now near Kenney Dam. Emigrating from Switzerland, the current owners purchased the property in 1987, bringing with them a wealth of experience in the hospitality business and a love for the wilderness of British Columbia. With renovations and improvements to all facilities and the addition of new services, they created a thriving business for the family.
This lodge ticks all the boxes with a shift from urban environments toward rural self-sustainability and personal business ventures. Income potential exists for whatever direction a future owner or group desires—private groups, corporate groups, wellness, and artisan retreats, catered events, or monthly rentals—the imagination is free to explore the opportunities.
The property has a foreshore 4.55-acre lease with about 560 feet of Knewstubb Lakeshore, an arm of the Oostsa Reservoir. Located on this lease are a breakwater, boat launch, and two steel and wood docks consisting of three 8' x 20' sections. The docks provide secure docking for boats and allow easy access for float planes. The pebbly beach area is a convenient area to sunbathe, swim and picnic.
The lodge's dining and gathering area overlooking the lake is a gathering hub for folks before the day's adventure. In the evening, guests can gather around the crackling stone fireplace to share tales—punctuated with smiles, laughter, and camaraderie. The expansive covered deck facing southward provides an excellent gathering area for refreshments and barbeques.
Additional lodge amenities include a reception area, commercial kitchen, two washrooms, and a laundry room. The upper level includes six guest rooms, two shared bathrooms, storage rooms, and a linen closet.
The primary residence orients southward, allowing year-round sunlight to bathe the main living areas. This cozy home has two bedrooms, an office, and a full bathroom. The entire structure was renovated and completed in 1988. The covered porch is perfect for sitting back and taking in the sounds of birds and rustling breezes while brilliant sunrises and sunsets reflect off the lake.
Four tastefully appointed guest cabins are generously spaced throughout the resort and are a welcome retreat after a day full of adventure. Two larger cabins include sleeping for six guests (three bunks), a full kitchen, bathroom, and a spacious living/dining area. The remaining cabins also have full kitchens, a living room, sleep two guests (two twin beds), and use two separate shower/washroom blocks. All cabins have picnic tables and covered porches overlooking the lake. Six rustic and private campsites take in panoramic lake views and natural vegetation.
The living structures are all constructed with iconic northern BC logs. The metal roofing not only assures an enduring product but provides ease of snow removal during winter months.
2500 500 Road - Vanderhoof, BC
Access 1 km driveway from 500 FSR, all-season public (gravel) road from Vanderhoof via Kenney Dam Road, or seasonal via Kluskus FSR and 500 FSR from Vanderhoof and from Fraser Lake via Holy Cross FSR.
Knewstubb Lake is an arm of the Ootsa Lake Reservoir in the Nechako Valley. It forms part of the south arm of the reservoir, which includes adjoining stretches such as Eutsuk Lake and Natalkuz Lake, which are 'upstream' to the southwest. Ootsa Lake (Reservoir) was formed by the Kenny Dam and the subsequent diversion of the Nechako River.
Vanderhoof (pop. 4,500±) is within a rich, fertile valley known for its cattle ranches and dairy farms. As the geographic center of the province, this is one of the last vast wilderness and resource industry frontiers. The area is sparsely populated yet accessible, well serviced, and close to city amenities. Ranching and farming are the primary industries, followed closely by forestry.
As the second-largest and most easterly area of the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, Vanderhoof encompasses a land area of approximately 78,000 square kilometers. Natural resources attract businesses to the low cost of living, government services, superior education and health care providers, and a healthy retail sector. Vanderhoof is rich in culture, history, natural resources, and recreational opportunities.
The Nechako River, which joins the Fraser River at Prince George, runs along the north edge of Vanderhoof. The Nechako River is accessible by a boat launch located on the southeast side of the bridge, across from the Riverside Park entrance.
Ootsa Lake weather in June and July is typically around 15°C, with an average of 300 impressive hours of sunshine—in one month. February and January are the coldest months, with temperatures around -15°C. Rain jackets are a wise choice with 134 mm of rain during October and May.
The Nechako Valley rivers, lakes, mountains, and grassy fields combine to create a diverse backdrop for adventure, recreation, fishing, and hunting. The wilderness lakes and streams in the vicinity of the Nechako Lodge offer wilderness experiences at their finest.
The lodge is central to well-known fly-fishing hot spots like Hobson Lake, Chief Gray, Cicuta Lake, and Cheslatta and Nechako Rivers. From spring to early fall, angling enthusiasts are thrilled by the variety of fishing opportunities in the area, whether trolling for a big rainbow or char in deep water lakes or fly-fishing trophy lakes and rivers. Heading out to drive-in or hike-in wilderness lakes in the vicinity of the lodge is high on the list of 'musts.' Hanging out on the private dock is an excellent place for families to test and grow their fishing skills.
Rainbow trout are present in almost all lakes and streams, and their famous fighting spirit makes them one of the top choices. Virtually all populations in the Upper Nechako Region are native, and the few select stocked lakes are now yielding trophy fish.
Other game fish of this region include Lake trout, Dolly Varden, kokanee, burbot, and whitefish—providing exciting and productive catches. Currently, the lodge tackle shop offers an opportunity to stock up on locally successful flies, lures, and other fishing necessities. The fly-tying table in the lodge is available to create lures matching the local hatches.
People travel worldwide to hunt in the Nechako Valley due to the vast forests rich with wild game. Moose, elk, grizzly, mule deer, whitetail deer, black bear, cougar, wolf, lynx, and coyote all call this region home. Fantastic upland game birds and waterfowl are also major draw for hunters.
The vast expanse of Eutsuk Lake in North Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and the chain of lakes of the Nechako Reservoir attract wilderness boating and canoeing enthusiasts from all over. Exploring the islands and bays of this glacier-fed lake or fishing for the famously big Eutsuk rainbows, surrounded by the spectacular glaciers and peaks of the Coast Mountains, is an unforgettable experience. Canoeists and kayakers revel in the chain of lakes stretching over 200 kilometres from Surel Bay at the west end of Eutsuk Lake to the Nechako Lodge.
A trip on the remote Nechako River is an unforgettable wilderness canoeing experience. The river winds its way north through a narrow canyon, past beautiful pine, spruce, and aspen forests to the open range land and few settlements of the lower Nechako River valley. To run the entire length of the river from the bottom of Cheslatta Falls to Prince George takes approximately 6-8 days. Road access is available at several locations, making shorter journeys possible.
Hikers, birders, and wildlife enthusiasts will find the most popular trails in the region, all within easy access. Cheslatta Falls is a popular destination with a well-marked circle trail that leads to spectacular viewpoints above, right beside, and below the massive falls. Ancient house pits of the Carrier People found next to the trail along Cheslatta River are also a highlight of this short hike. Cut-Off Butte is another relatively short hike —offering a view of the hills, lakes, and forests of the Nechako Plateau and even the Coast Mountains on clear days. The Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail and Cheslatta Trail are restored ancient Carrier trade routes, which are a challenge for the serious wilderness hiker.
Beaumont Provincial Park lies within the Nechako Plateau, bordered to the west and north by the Hazelton, Skeena, and Omineca mountains. The park has a sandy beach for swimming, sunbathing and a variety of facilities for water-oriented activities.
Stuart River Provincial Park also lies on the Nechako Plateau and features flat to gently-rolling terrain and rounded mountains with low ridges and high bluffs along the Stuart River. The corridor has riparian areas and forests associated with the major river systems of the plateau: paddling, fishing, hunting, and plentiful wildlife viewing highlight this park.
Stellako River Wildlife Management Area protects 503 hectares of river and riparian habitat along the Stellako River near Fraser Lake. The Stellako River is one of the top rainbow trout river fisheries in BC and is home to chinook and sockeye salmon. The area is a destination for sport fishing, and other recreational opportunities.
The 180-hectare Nechako River Bird Sanctuary, along the Pacific Flyway, is considered a mecca for bird watchers and photographers. Tens of thousands of Canada Geese stop to rest and feed on the small islands of the Nechako River during the spring and fall migrations. Migratory hawks and owls also travel the Flyway.
Murray Ridge Ski Hill, 72 km north of Vanderhoof, has an impressive 1,700 vertical feet of terrain with 22 runs. Here, enjoying maximum time on snow instead of lineups is a reality. This mountain is referred to as the 'best-kept secret of the north.'
Many of the hiking trails around Vanderhoof turn into excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. The Nechako Valley Sporting Association maintains 40 km of tracked cross-country and snowshoeing trails at Waterlily Lake. Snowboarders and tobogganers can use the bike park in the winter. In town, there is a curling rink and ice arena.
Knewstubb Lake is named for F.W. Knewstubb of the British Columbia government's Water Rights Branch, who led exploration parties for power development in various regions of the Coast Mountains in the 1920s. Mount Knewstubb to the south of Franklyn Arm of Chilko Lake is also named for F.W. Knewstubb.
During the early years, Vanderhoof (Dutch for "of the farm") began as a small community with the surrounding area made up of large cattle ranches and logging operations. Settlers came in from the south over the western end of the Telegraph Trail. They traveled up the west coast to Prince Rupert, boarded river steamers to Hazelton, then trekked along the trail to Fort Fraser.
In 1906 the Vanderhoof was only a survey line in the wilderness to mark the location of the planned railway. On April 7th, 1914, the 'golden spike' marked the end of railway construction. The town was founded soon after by Herbert Vanderhoof, a Chicago publicist who worked on behalf of the Grand Truck Pacific Railroad. He hoped to lure settlers into the region by promising unlimited, fabulously wealthy farmland, homes and businesses, plumbing, and electricity. The people came in droves.
The town swelled, and in 1926 the Village of Vanderhoof was born. With the arrival of World War II, many young men left, and Vanderhoof came to a standstill. With the rise of lumber prices and the arrival of new people in the late 1940s, it began to grow again. The next boost to population and the economy came with the construction of the Kenny Dam in the early 1950s . At the peak of development, it employed 1,500 workers. The subsequent growth spurt came with an influx of American immigrants in the 1960s.
53°34'6.50"N and 124°55'20.83"W
Lodge
Residence
Cabins #3 & #4
Cabins #2 & #5
Shop/Powerhouse
$3,554 (2022)
None
DISTRICT LOT 3144 RANGE 4 COAST DISTRICT & District Lot 3144
PID 017-335-311
Land District 13 ALL THAT UNSURVEYED CROWN LAND ADJACENT TO DL 3144 TOGETHER WITH FORESHORE BEING PT OF THE BED OF KNEWSTUBB LAKE (SITE 1) ALL THAT UNSURVEYED CROWN LAND IN THE VICINITY OF THE DEVILS THUMB (SITE 2) PURPOSE OF COMMERCIAL CAMPGROUND & BOAT LAUNCH Lease Licence Num 706353
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Our property descriptions and geographical information are taken from the BC Assessment Authority, Land Titles Office, government maps and other sources. While LandQuest® does not guarantee the information, we believe it to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.
Lily Lake
12℃
6℃