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Christina
Lake
Christina Lake is located just 20 km (12 miles) east of Grand
Forks on Hwy 3. Situated right on the border with the United
States and near the beautiful Kettle River, Christina Lake is home
to one of British Columbia's nicest lakes.
Crystal
Clear Water
Approximately 18 km (11 miles) long, this lake sits between the
small community of Christina Lake on the south end and Gladstone
Provincial Park on the north end. Well noted for its legendary crystal
clear warm water, combined with a warm dry climate, Christina Lake
can offer you the very best in outdoor recreation.
Gladstone
Provincial Park
Christina Lake has some superb boating, water-skiing and swimming
areas located in Gladstone Provincial Park. Situated throughout
the park are some nice sandy beaches, some private and accessible
only by boat or trails, and others you can get to easily by car.
Excellent
Boating
One beach located in the park that is easily accessible, is the
swimming area located at Texas Creek campground on the east side
of the lake. The boating and swimming activities here are excellent,
providing loads of fun for the whole family.
Getting
Here
To get to Texas Creek, you take Hwy 3 for 5 km (3 miles) east from
the community of Christina Lake towards Castlegar.
Watch for the turnoff at East Lake Drive and continue for another
4 km (2.5 miles) to Texas Creek. You will find parking just outside
the entrance to the campground.
Private
Beaches
The beach area is just a short walk 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
and a great place for children to swim. There is also an excellent
skin diving area located here where you can swim through schools
of fish and large boulders in depths around 3-5 metres (10-15 feet).
Texas
Creek Campground
If you don't mind RV camping and tenting, the campsite at Gladstone
(Texas Creek) Provincial Park is very nice as well. The only problem
that you'll have is making reservations if you want to stay here.
This place really fills up fast, especially around weekends and
holidays or during the summer season.
Christina
Lake Golf Club
Besides the lake, Christina Lake has a lot to offer the visitor,
especially if you like golf. Christina Lake Golf Club offers one
of the nicest 18-hole courses throughout the Boundary Region. The
course plays through beautiful stands of Ponderosa Pine near the
banks of the picturesque Kettle River.
Black
Sand
A unique thing about the course is the use of black sand for the
sand traps, similar to what you might see in Hawaii. Christina Lake
Golf Club is a real pleasure on which to play, very little wait
time with friendly and courteous staff to assist you.
Trans-Canada
Trail
The Trans-Canada Trail takes its route through Christina Lake. Using
the old rail bed that used to belong to the Columbia & Western
Railway and parts of the historic Dewdney Trail, the trail allows
the visitor to take advantage of traveling by bike towards three
main destinations.
Kettle
River
You can either travel towards Castlegar,
Rossland or towards Grand
Forks. There is great scenery on each way plus, depending on
the route, the chance to go through tunnels, travel along the Kettle
River, or experience grand vistas of the lower Arrow Lake.
Hiking
Trails
There are also some other trails besides the Trans-Canada that are
in the Christina Lake area. A real nice one is the Deer Point Trail
that starts at Texas Creek Provincial campground and goes to the
north end of the lake to a beautiful beach. This trail will take
you through a cedar grove where you can look in awe at the large
trees.
Cascade
Gorge
For history buffs, another trail takes you to a point in the Kettle
River where the water flows through a narrow chasm called the Cascade
Gorge. This was the site of the town of Cascade and the Cascade
hydro plant that supplied power during the late 1800's.
Christina
Lake Chamber of Commerce
If you're interested, the Christina Lake Chamber of Commerce has
some information and description of the local trails and provides
a good map.
WildWays
Adventure Tours
WildWays - a local bike and recreation outfitter - has bike rentals,
offers guided tours and can arrange van pickups and shuttle service.
If you require any assistance, help or map directions concerning
the Trans-Canada Trail or conditions of the local trails, please
look them up in Christina Lake.
Hwy
3
WildWays is located right on Hwy 3 on the frontage road. Santa Rosa
Road and access to the Trans-Canada Trail is located quite close
to the WildWays Shop. WildWays also offers kayaking tours along
the Slocan and Kettle Rivers.
Services
Christina Lake is a small community with limited services. There
is a general store, gas station, marina, boat repair store and several
local artisans. For health problems there is a small medical clinic
available along with a local chiropractor. The closest hospital
and dentist services are located in nearby Grand Forks.
Christina
Lake Links
Accommodation
Christina Lake has a number of motels, private campsites, cottages
and RV resorts from which to choose. Some are located right on or
close by the lake giving you good boating access. A good family
oriented campground is at Cascade Cove located on the banks of the
Kettle River near Cascade Falls.
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