Cultus Lake

Though you may think of it as a vacation town for Lower Mainlanders looking to take a few days off, Cultus Lake is in fact home to a small but devoted population of permanent residents. Located south of Chilliwack, is an important spot for the Stó:lō Nation. It’s named after a Chinook Jargon word meaning something like “nothing,” “no good,” “bad” or “empty.” That’s because, according to legend, the lake formed around 800 years ago during a flood that destroyed a village, with some other origin stories for the name, too. Today, Cultus Lake has plenty to offer people looking for a smaller, slower pace of life.

Cultus Lake became a tourist destination around the turn of the 20th century, but permanent dwellings only started showing up after World War II. These began as converted cabins and cottages, and some of these quaint homes remain today. Soon, intentional developments cropped up, mostly consisting of detached homes.

Tourism remains a large part of the economy, with attractions including the lake, Cultus Lake Waterpark and Adventure Park, fishing, camping, hiking, parasailing and more. Cultus Lake itself is a provincial park. Nearby areas are still home to farming, too, like Fraser Valley Speciality Poultry in Yarrow.

Properties in Cultus Lake proper, however, are leaseholds held by Cultus Lake Park Board. Some basic services, like garbage pickup, are handled by the Park Board. Residents, both full-time and seasonal, hold their leases for 21 years. On the upside, this sometimes lets you find detached homes for less than $1 million if you’re quick. But if you consider communities nearby, such as Sardis or Lindell Beach, you can get freehold properties. There are even some condos at the Lakeside development and York Residences.