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Total number of campsites
Total reservable frontcountry sites: 63
Total vehicle-accessible sites: 63
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Reservations

Campsite reservations are accepted and the reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.

Groupsite camping and day-use picnicking are not available in this park.

Marine-accessible camping

This park has unique camping opportunities on the west side of Christina Lake that are accessible by boat. Many are former Forest Service Recreation sites. Facilities are limited. 

Marine-accessible camping fee: $13 per party or vessel, per night

The Ole Johnson site is situated on Bald Point on the west side of Christina Lake. Access to this small bay of coarse sand is by boat, 7.5 km from the boat launch at Texas Creek. There are 10 walk-in sites with fire rings, two picnic tables and two benches. The forested uplands rise steeply off the beach and are broken up by rocky outcrops. There is evidence of historical use in the form of two old cabin sites belonging to miner Ole Johnson for whom the site is named. There are excellent swimming, fishing and hiking opportunities.

Peter Lake has been used as a backcountry camp by past users. There is room for three tents beside the lake. There are no other facilities. There is no beach and swimming opportunities are limited. The lake contains rainbow trout and brook trout. There are opportunities for hiking up the ridge south of the lake for views into the Sandner Creek drainage.

Xenia Lake has an old Forest Service Recreation site. There are two pit toilets and five picnic tables.

Troy Creek is located at the extreme northwest corner of Christina Lake 10 km from the Texas Creek boat launch or 11.3 km hiking along the Deer Point and Troy Creek Trail. This small bay has a rocky shoreline backed by a mixed forest with some exceptional Western red cedar and Douglas fir. An old cabin provides evidence of past use of the site. There are great views across the lake and to the north as well as good fishing. There is one pit toilet and five picnic tables. A trail leads up to Xenia Lake.

Parson Creek is located on the west side of Christina Lake opposite Deer Point 6km from the Texas Creek boat launch accessible only by boat. The majority of the shoreline is rocky and the upland is heavily forested with few shrubs. The small beach is coarse gravel. There is one pit toilet and two picnic tables.

Treadmill Creek is located on the west side of Christina Lake 5km from the Texas Creek boat launch. This large beach of coarse sand is sheltered from prevailing south winds making it a great spot for swimming and fishing. It offers an excellent view of Sandner and Troy Creek at the head of the lake. The land slopes away from the beach in a series of terraces. There are two pit toilets and four picnic tables.

Axel Johnson is located on the west side of Christina Lake 3 km from the Texas Creek boat launch. This isolated bay has a long sandy beach making it a good spot for swimming and waterskiing. There are views across the lake of rock slides. There are two pit toilets and four picnic tables.

Starchuck Beach is located on the west side of Christina Lake almost opposite of Texas Creek. This large sandy beach area is the southern most site on the west side. It is a popular area for swimming and fishing. There are two pit toilets and four picnic tables.

Trapper Creek can be accessed by either boat or from the Deer Point Trail. It is a small, semi-open site with swimming and fishing opportunities. There is one pit toilet and two picnic tables.

Vehicle-accessible camping

Texas Creek campground offers 62 vehicle-accessible campsites, including seven double sites. Campsite reservations are available in this park. The gate is locked during the off season. To check-in, refer to the reservation board at the campground entrance for a pre-assigned site number.

Most of the sites are large and shaded by a forest of Douglas fir mixed with some cedar, larch and Ponderosa pine. The double sites are medium to small in size. The forest has a thick understory of shrubs, including ocean spray, that offer privacy for the sites. Roads within the campground are gravel, with perimeter road being double lane and the others a little narrower.

Vehicle-accessible camping fee$27 per party per night
BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only)$13.50 per senior party per night

For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page

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Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Drinking water

Cold water taps are located throughout the Texas Creek campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Boat launch

There is a paved boat launch available at Texas Creek. It is open year-round though ice will limit use. It is located on Litchy Road between pieces of private property, 500 m before the campground. There is a wide paved road with a single lane turn-around running off one side. The road slopes down to a double wide concrete ramp with two docks made of interlocking plastic blocks. 

There is a payphone and an information shelter beside the dock. Parking is across East Lake Road in two large gravel parking lots. There is one pit toilet by the parking lots.

Please note: There is no long term trailer storage permitted at the Texas Creek boat launch. Any trailers left in the parking lot for more than 14 days per calendar year are subject to removal and fines.

Campfires

Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. 

To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and adds organic matter to the soil.

Picnic areas

Visitors can use Christina Lake day-use area, located 10 km from the park.

Pit or flush toilets

This park offers nine flush toilets and five pit toilets.

Showers
Hot showers are available in the campground. There is no additional fee for their use. Shower facilities are for campground visitors only.
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Hiking

There are more than 48 km of trails in the park. Trails in the backcountry areas of the park are unmarked and unmaintained. They may not meet BC Parks standards. Most are suitable for hiking and horseback riding. All trails are closed to motor vehicles including ATVs.

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Deer Point Trail to Troy Creek11.3 kmEasy with some steep sections

The trail starts out steep to traverse semi-open forest high above Christina Lake but levels off, rolling gently up and down along the shoreline to Deer Point. Huge cedar trees and a sandy beach await at the north end of the lake. At 8 km, take the Troy Creek Trail to get to the head of the lake or descent to Deer Point camping area on the lake.

Xenia Lake Trail 4 kmDifficult (steep descent)

The Forest Service maintained a recreation site at the lake at one time making this a good weekend trip. The trail comes out at the north end of Christina Lake and joins up with Troy Creek Trail for a longer loop. A 4WD vehicle is required to access Xenia Lake. From Xenia Lake, the trail goes east and descends to Christina Lake. 

Sandner Creek Trail 9 km 

A historic trail extends along Sandner Creek up past the Benninger property.

Mt. Faith Trail18.4 kmDifficult

This moderately steep, difficult route extends from the Lynch Creek trailhead, up Morrell Creek to Mt. Faith.

Mt. Gladstone Trail6 kmDifficult

This steep trail ascends Mt. Gladstone from the abandoned CPR railway north of Paulson.

Peter Lake Trail  

 This trail is currently inaccessible. 

Swimming

Excellent and safe swimming area in the warm waters of Christina Lake. Keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty.

The campground is situated well above the lake but several pocket beaches are accessible. The beaches of coarse sand are separated by shrubs and some cottonwood trees that provide shade. 

A roughly 100 m long, 2 m wide gravel trail with a gentle slope leaves the campground between sites 2 and 3. This is the easiest trail to the beach. A variety of other narrow dirt trails cut straight down the bank in a series of stairs and switchbacks. On the main trail just above the beach are a rescue station, garbage can and two pit toilets.

Canoeing
The warm, clear water of Christina Lake is ideal for canoeing and kayaking. The park includes numerous sandy beaches on the west side of the lake that are accessible only by boat and make perfect picnic spots. Old growth cedar trees and pictographs are found on the east side of the lake and the north end provides opportunities for viewing kokanee spawning.
Fishing

Fishing for Kokanee, rainbow trout and small-mouth bass is popular. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. There is no fishing north of a line between Bald Point and Knob Point between April 1 and May 31. Ice fishing is possible on Christina Lake depending on winter conditions.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

For details on e-biking within Gladstone Park, see the e-biking section below.

E-Biking

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Gladstone Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.

Waterskiing
Christina Lake, with its warm clear water, is perfect for water skiing. The boat launch at the campground is heavily used. Boat launch and rentals are available at the Christina Lake Marina.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding is permitted in the backcountry area on designated trails. Horseback riding is not allowed in the campground.
Scuba diving
There are opportunities for scuba diving in Christina Lake. A company based in Christina Lake called Blue Max Adventures in Diving, offers courses.
Hunting

Hunting is allowed in the park. Please check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information. The Mount Faith area draws people internationally for guided hunting provided by a licenced guide outfitter.

Winter recreation
There is limited cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Texas Creek campground. There are no defined trails. Locals ski on the Trans Canada Trail.