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Gladstone
Gladstone Provincial Park is located on the north-central end of
Christina Lake approximately 20 km (1.3 miles) north-east of Grand
Forks.
Christina
Lake
Gladstone Provincial Park is a fairly large park encompassing a
total of around 39,787 hectares (97,327 acres). Not only does the
park surround the northern half of Christina Lake but also encompasses
a large area in the headwaters of Sander and Morrell Creeks, plus
sections of the Monashee Mountains including 2,279 metre-high (7,477
feet) Mount Faith and 2,250 metre-high (7,382 feet) Mount Gladstone.
Travelling
Here
To get here from Grand Forks, take Hwy 3 east through the small
community of Christina
Lake by 5 km (3 miles), then turn off Hwy 3 onto East Lake Drive
for about 4 km (2.6 miles) to the campground at Texas Creek, where
there is a camp host and general information on the park posted
near the gate.
Park
Highlights
The swimming, boating and water sports found in the clear, warm
waters of Christina Lake is excellent, perhaps some of the best
found in British Columbia. Throughout the park there are a number
of small individual beach areas making for a great place to go kayaking,
canoeing, waterskiing, SCUBA diving or just plain relaxing.
Campgrounds
Gladstone Provincial Park offers several campgrounds on Christina
Lake including the vehicle-accessible campground at Texas Creek,
walk-in wilderness style in the out-country plus some boat access-only
marine campsites along the lake. There is also a wilderness campground
found at Xenia Lake which is via the 4x4 Miller Creek Forest Service
Road 23 km (14 miles) north of Grand Forks off of the North Fork
Road.
Facilities
The Texas Creek campground facilities are fairly good with four
cold water taps, a combination of five pit toilets and five flush
toilets and all the campsites feature campfire rings with firewood
for sale. For pleasure crafts, there is a boat launch near the entrance
on Litchy Road and vehicle and trailer parking on East Lake Road.
There is also a pay phone situated near the entrance to the campground.
Private
Beaches at Texas Creek
The beach area at Texas Creek is just a short walk from the campground
down a small hill. The unique thing about this beach is the small
number - about 25 - individual places to set up camp. This is very
private, with the odd shade tree, pebble beach and a great place
for children to swim. There is also an excellent skin-diving area
located near a drop off where you can swim through schools of fish
and large boulders in depths around 3-5 metres (10-15 feet).
Rock
Bluffs
There are a large number of rock bluffs along the shoreline of Christina
Lake. A few of these cliffs are situated near the beach at Texas
Creek and provide jumping platforms for older children and teenagers.
If you want to do this, remember that a number of people have been
seriously injured, so please be cautious if attempting to climb
along the rocks.
Deer
Point Trail
Another nice thing about the campground at Texas Creek is the proximity
to over 48 km (30 miles) of hiking and mountain biking trails. The
trailhead for Deer Point Trail is situated across from site 42 next
to the cold-water tap. This trail is excellent and takes you through
a cedar grove to the north end of Christina Lake near Troy Creek
about 11 km (7 miles) one-way. Just remember that bears and other
wildlife are frequently seen.
Nearest
Services
For supplies, services or a break from the campstove you can travel
into the community of Christina Lake only about 10 minutes away.
Once in Christina Lake there is everything ranging from a general
store, pub, café, coffee shop, gas station and marine supplies
and services.
Grand
Forks
Grand Forks only 30 minutes away from Gladstone Provincial Park
(Texas Creek) also has a larger selection of everything including
an Overwaitea and Extra Foods grocery stores, good selection of
restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, medical help at the Boundary
Hospital and a number of dentists.
Slight
Hill to Beach
The beach area found at Texas Creek is just a short walk down a
small hill. If you are out of shape or have a medical condition,
it could be slightly difficult. If you prefer, there is also a large
day-use area called Christina Lake Provincial Lake located on the
south-west side of Christina Lake.
Wildlife
When you do go to the beach make sure that all food items are packed
away from curious wildlife. The campground at Texas Creek is notorious
for small fairly tamed squirrels, birds and ground hogs that get
into mischief around food once the campsite is vacated of people.
Reservations
are Required
During the summer the campground at Texas Creek is hard to find
a campsite in the Okanagan on a first-come basis. first-served basis
If you don't want to be disappointed reservations are accepted at
Gladstone Provincial Park. Obtaining a reservation at Discover Camping
is highly recommended if you are planning on staying from June 15
- Sept 1.
Information
on Gladstone Provincial Park
Wildlife
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