Campsites
- 14 established campsites
- Water supply at every site
- No electrical power at the campsites
Coalmine Camp
A secluded horse camping and trail ride staging site.
On the banks of Gothorn Creek, private, but close to services.
01 / DESCRIPTION
A camp built for horses and the outdoors
Coalmine Camp is an equestrian camping and trail-staging area beside Goathorn Creek.
The site combines 14 established campsites with access to a mapped network of trails and roads. Each campsite has a water supply but no electrical power. There is also ample day-parking space for trucks and horse trailers.
The camp was established in 2017 on a former coal-processing site. Today it provides a practical base for camping, trail riding, group activities and day trips.
02 / FACILITIES
Camp facilities
The essentials for overnight stays and day visits.
Day parking
- Ample space for trucks and horse trailers
- Suitable for riders visiting for the day
Horse facilities
- Corrals and water at the campsites
- Arena with horse shelter
- Skill-development training course
- Perimeter and cross fencing
Shared spaces
- Attached picnic shelter and shower structure
- Two outhouses
- Manure collection sites
- Compost site for waste hay
Before you arrive
- Plan for a no-power campsite
- Bring the equipment and supplies your own stay requires
04 / DIRECTIONS
Approach through Telkwa
Coalmine Camp is about 10 kilometres southwest of Telkwa, near Goathorn Creek.
From Telkwa
Descend the Highway 16 hill into Telkwa. At the bottom, turn onto Hankin Avenue toward the river. Cross the bridge and railway tracks; the road becomes Telkwa Coalmine Road. Continue for 6 km, take the left fork that remains Coalmine Road, and follow it for another 4 km. After the rough sand pit, descend the dirt road; the camp is on the right at the bottom of the hill.
Open driving directions ↗From Smithers
Travel east on Highway 16 to Telkwa, then follow the route above. Check current road and weather conditions before towing a trailer.
Open camp point in maps ↗03 / MAPS
Camp and trail map
Explore the supplied trail routes over satellite imagery. Zoom in to reveal labels, or select any line for its name.
The interactive map could not load.
The approximate camp-area point is derived from the north end of the Bus Loop in the supplied 2024 trail file. The trail file remains available in this guide, but satellite tiles or the map library may be unavailable on this connection.
Open camp point in maps ↗
Open the full Trail Map ↗
Location stays in this browser and is not saved or sent by this page.
Trail names and geometry come from the supplied “2024 Trails @ Coalmine” file. Some repeated names represent separate line segments. Satellite imagery © Esri and its data providers.
Trail legend
Select a trail name to zoom to its line. Group headings reflect the folders in the supplied KMZ.
05 / CALENDAR
Community calendar
See what is coming up at Coalmine Camp.
Camp events
A shared camp events calendar is coming soon — check back for event dates.
06 / CAMP RULES
Care for the camp
Use established spaces, keep the grounds orderly and leave shared facilities ready for others.
Camping
- Sites are first come, first served.
- Set up only at established sites unless camp volunteers agree otherwise.
- Keep your site tidy and minimize impacts on other campers.
- Run generators only when they will not disturb others.
Dogs
- Owners must prevent barking, chasing, harassment or aggression.
- Keep dogs away from shared meal and meeting areas during group use.
- Ask all riders before bringing a dog on a ride.
Horses
- Owners are responsible for their horses, including overnight.
- Use corrals and horse areas only for their intended purpose.
- Clean manure immediately after using an area and take it to a collection site.
- Place leftover or waste hay at the compost site.
Shared spaces
- Respect other campers and day visitors.
- Follow current directions posted at camp or given by camp volunteers.
- Leave facilities clean and ready for the next visitor.
No camp fee is charged. Visitors can help with maintenance and upkeep through volunteer work or a suggested donation. A work list and donation box are available at the cabin.
07 / TRAIL RULES
Ride safely and protect the trail
Practical guidance for group rides and responsible trail use.
- Leave your intended route and timing with someone before riding.
- On organized rides, follow the ride leader, stay behind the lead rider and keep the rear rider informed if the pace is unsuitable or you need to leave.
- Carry first-aid supplies and any necessary personal medication. Tell the ride leader about relevant medical needs or a green or difficult horse.
- Maintain safe spacing. Ask before passing, walk on steep climbs and give each horse room through obstacles.
- Cross water single file and avoid widening trails or damaging sensitive ground.
- No alcohol or other intoxicants are permitted on the trail. Loose horses are not allowed on organized rides.
- Ask the group before bringing a dog. Stallions require advance approval for organized rides.
- Tail ribbons communicate special needs: red for a horse that kicks or strikes, green for a young or inexperienced horse, pink for a mare in heat and blue for a stallion.
08 / HISTORY
From coal country to camp
A brief background to the landscape and the camp.
1918–70
Coal production in the wider Telkwa coalfield was intermittent. A BC Geological Survey report records 433,000 tonnes produced through 1970, most for domestic use.
2017
Coalmine Camp was established.