Park overview
Lockhart Creek Park and adjacent Lockhart Beach Park extend from the sunny shores of Kootenay Lake to the headwaters of Lockhart Creek. This park encompasses one of the few valleys in the region with no roads, and protects a diverse old growth forest.
A pioneer trail along Lockhart Creek leads to grand vistas of Kootenay Lake and meanders through the habitat of many species of plants and animals unique to temperate interior cedar hemlock forests. Birdwatchers and wildflower and plant identification enthusiasts will be rewarded by a visit to this area.
The Baker Lake trail extends from the eastern boundary of the Lockhart Creek trail and continues onto the Redding Creek Forest Service Road. Multi-day backpackers wishing to access Kianuko Park should be equipped with strong route finding skills and appropriate equipment.
Advisories
Safety info
- Trail Report [PDF] (Scroll to the Lockhart Creek entry)
Facilities
Fires are allowed.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Activities
The Lockhart Creek Park has a hiking trail that follows the north side of Lockhart Creek gaining about 800 metres of elevation over a three hour hike. An old cabin site about two hours up is a favourite destination. Though open to wilderness recreation, the park has no facilities or marked trails and is not regularly serviced. Check our Trail Report [PDF] for bear and safety information.
Visitors should be self-sufficient and proficient in back country travel practices. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Cycling is permitted, but only on Lockhart Creek trail and by experienced mountain bike riders. The grade is steep and extreme caution must be used on blind corners and switchbacks.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Lockhart Creek Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Hunting is allowed in this park during designated hunting season. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more details.
On the east side of Kootenay Lake, Lockhart Creek Park is located 40 km north of Creston off Highway 3A.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 12, 1995
- Size: 3,750.6 hectares
Nature and culture
History
Established in 1995, Lockhart Creek Park protects one of few unroaded drainages in the region.
Cultural Heritage
The area includes significant First Nations trail systems, with access to traditional use areas, and areas of spiritual importance.
Conservation
Lockhart Creek Park contains an intact watershed rising steeply from the slopes of Kootenay Lake to alpine meadows. The park protects old-growth cedar-hemlock forest communities. Fish species, such as rainbow trout, bull trout and kokanee inhabit Lockhart Creek.
From the lakeshore at 500 metres elevation to the height of land at 1300 metres, the biogeoclimatic zones change from Interior cedar-hemlock, through Engleman subalpine spruce to alpine tundra. Remnant stands of an old growth cedar forest remain along Lockhart Creek and add intrigue to the varied natural habitat and diversity of this interior rain forest.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.