Churn Creek Protected Area

Churn Creek Protected Area is a very unique landscape. It incorporates some of British Columbia’s rarest ecosystems (low, middle, and high elevation grasslands). While visiting Churn Creek, you can experience all three levels of grasslands starting from low (beside the mighty Fraser River), middle, and moist high elevation bunchgrass grassland surrounded by pine and spruce forests.

This protected area is a home to very diverse flora and fauna, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, sagebush, and prickly pear cactus.

If you prefer serenity, and a getaway from the hustle and bustle, this trip is definitely for you.

How to get there

Churn Creek protected area is approx. 100 km from Chasm, BC. From Highway 97, turn on Meadow Lake road and continue driving towards Canoe Creek Road.

Note: Be Prepared, the drive is long and the whole journey is on a gravel road. There are no services and no cell coverage on this route.

Alternatively if you are coming from the North, you can get to Churn Creek via Williams Lake via Alkali Lake.

Note: The roads can be very slippery after rain, and washouts may occur.

Entering Churn Creek Protected Area

Day Use Area, and Gateway Trail

There is a day use area and a pit toilet at the entrance of the park beside the information kiosk. This is where the gateway trail begins.

Sacred Rock has petroglyphs (ancient figures) chipped out by ancestors of modern Secwepemc people.

Campsites

The are not many designated campsites, and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Calvin Barn on the Empire Valley Road is the only designated campsite with a picnic table, and a pit toilet facility. Other designated campsites on Black Dome road and Iron Gate road are rustic sites without pit toilets.

Calvin Barn Campsite

Note: This ecosystem is very fragile, please do not drive or camp on grasslands within the Churn Creek Protected Area.

Note: The closest store and gas station is in Dog Creek, which is approximately 30 km away. If you plan to get gas or shop, visit the store during the daytime (the store can closes around 5 pm or even earlier).

Enjoy the Photo Gallery with incredible views of the Churn Creek