Arrow Lakes Ridge Riders Enhancing Safety, Stewardship and Access Through New Signage
Nestled along the shores of the Arrow Lakes, Nakusp is known for its welcoming small-town character, natural hot springs, and easy access to outdoor recreation. In winter, it also serves as the gateway to two unique snowmobiling destinations maintained by the Arrow Lakes Ridge Riders (ALRR): Harlow and Ingersoll.
This summer, the volunteer-run club will install new trailhead signage at both riding areas, improving rider safety, navigation, stewardship awareness, and access to important backcountry information.
Supported through a $6,260 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC's Outdoor Recreation Fund, along with contributions from club membership revenues, the project reflects the club's ongoing commitment to enhancing the snowmobiling experience in the Arrow Lakes region.
Two Unique Riding Areas
Both riding areas are managed by ALRR under its Recreation Sites and Trails BC Section 57 agreement. Located just outside Nakusp, Harlow features 17 kilometres of groomed trail leading into scenic subalpine terrain with excellent glade and meadow riding. The area is popular with families and newer riders while still providing opportunities for more advanced exploration into nearby zones such as No Man's Land when conditions permit and the area is open.
Ingersoll, accessed via the Arrow Park ferry and Stevens Forest Service Road, offers approximately 20 kilometres of groomed trail, a popular warming shelter, stunning views overlooking the Arrow Lakes, and a variety of terrain suitable for riders of all skill levels.
Investing in Rider Experience
The signage project is part of a broader investment in local riding infrastructure. In addition to this initiative, ALRR recently secured $25,000 through the BC Off-Road Vehicle Trail Fund to support brushing and maintenance work on the Harlow Trail. Together, these projects are helping improve both the rider experience and the infrastructure that supports it.
For ALRR, the need for trailhead signage is straightforward.
"Currently, there is no signage at either trailhead," explains project organizaer Shawn. "Riders were expected to locate staging areas and explore at their own risk, with little information available regarding safety, access requirements, stewardship responsibilities, closures, emergency information, memberships, or local riding conditions."
A Consistent Approach to Signage
Working alongside the BC Snowmobile Federation and provincial signage partner Inter-Mtn Enterprises, the club is implementing signage that aligns with provincial trailhead signage standards. Through the BCSF signage program, member clubs have access to a catalogue of professionally designed trailhead, safety, stewardship, and wayfinding templates that help create a consistent rider experience across British Columbia.
The new signage will provide maps, emergency information, GPS coordinates, stewardship messaging, backcountry preparedness resources, and links to current riding conditions and club information.
Supporting Stewardship and Access Management
The project is particularly important at Harlow, which operates within the Snowmobile-Selkirk Adaptive Management and Access Program. Using caribou collar data, the program opens and closes riding areas based on the real-time location of caribou. Riders accessing Harlow are required to hold a valid membership and check the daily access map before every ride. The new signage will help ensure riders understand these requirements while supporting responsible recreation and caribou recovery efforts.
Looking Ahead
Installation is scheduled for completion this summer with support from club members and community volunteers. The BC Snowmobile Federation looks forward to seeing the project come to life and would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of the club volunteers working behind the scenes. To follow the project's progress, learn more about memberships, and explore riding opportunities in the Nakusp area, visit slednakusp.com or follow the Arrow Lakes Ridge Riders on Facebook.
