Gladstone Park

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

Backcountry Marine 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/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 6 km 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 5 km 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-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.

Texas Creek campground offers 62 vehicle accessible campsites, including seven double sites. Campsite reservations are available for campsites in this park. The gate is locked during the off season. Most of the sites are large and shaded by a forest of Douglas fir mixed with some cedar, larch and Ponderosa pine; however, 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.

Check-in procedures:

• Check reservation board at campground entrance for pre-assigned site number.

Accessibility information is available for this park.

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

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, 500m 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.

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 Creek – 11.3 km. Easy 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 – 4km. Difficult (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 Trail – 18.4. Difficult. This moderately steep, difficult route extends from the Lynch Creek trailhead, up Morrell Creek to Mt. Faith.

Mt. Gladstone Trail – 6 km. Difficult. This steep trail ascends Mt. Gladstone from the abandoned CPR railway north of Paulson.

Peter Lake Trail – This trail is currently inaccessible. 

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.

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

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

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

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.