Creston Wildlife Management Area

Creston Wildlife Management Area is one of largest wetland eco system attractions in British Columbia, Canada. Established in 1968, the Creston Wildlife Management Area covers over 6,880 hectares (17,000 acres) in West Creston. It was created to protect and preserve the habitat and wildlife living and visiting in the region. 

The Creston Wildlife Management Area is an environmental reserve consisting of waterways, marshes, wetlands, channels, ponds, wildlife, lookout towers, sitting benches, dirt trails, boardwalk paths and an interpretive centre.

The Creston Wildlife Management Area is home to many animals. Some arrive to nest, others to feed. Some stay year round, others just visit. There are over 280 bird species, around 57 mammal species and 30 fish, reptiles and amphibian species in the wildlife management area.

The wildlife wetland reserve is a popular destination in the summer months for hiking, birdwatching, biking, canoeing, fishing and sightseeing. During the winter, the wetland marsh freezes over and becomes a popular destination for cross country skiing, skating and ice fishing.

Throughout the management area are a series of recreation trails. There are over 30 kilometres of dyke trails exploring the wetland marsh.

Some are loop trails. Some are one-way trails. Some are short, while others are long. But all the trails provide a good opportunity for wildlife viewing. To assist in wildlife viewing there are lookout towers and sightseeing benches connected to some of the trails.

Some of the other hiking trails in the nearby region, next to the management area, include the Summit, Fern Forest, Dewdney and the Balancing Rock Trails.

For the true naturalists there are interpretive brochures and trail maps available at the Wildlife Centre. The informative brochures will help with identifying the natural habitat in the area. The trail maps will assist in planning your hiking route.

Creston Wildlife Management Area. Birdwatching in Creston, BC, Canada in the Kootenays