Big Creek National Wildlife Area is a natural wetlands park in Ontario, on the Long Point Peninsula, and popular destination for birders. Here’s what you need to know about visiting!
We’d taken up birding since the last time we’d been there, and were looking forward to enjoying that aspect of the park, now-new to us.
Of course, the weather turned almost as soon as we showed up, so things didn’t quite go as we’d planned.
Anyway, on the way in - driving down the Long Point Causeway - we noticed a HUGE crowd of people at what looked to be an observation tower, just on the side of the road.
We’re nosy AF, so obviously I looked into it right away!
As I’d seen several big cameras, I assumed it was a birding thing, so looked at the Audubon app. Sure enough, it was a known hotspot for birding - The Big Creek National Wildlife Area.
We decided to check it out the next day... and ended up going back several times, over the course of that trip!
Anyway, this is a wildlife sanctuary located on the shore of Lake Erie - just southwest of Port Rowan, ON - and it’s part of the Long Point Peninsula and Marshes Important Bird Area, and the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve buffer zone.
Part of its significance is the fact that a popular stopover / resting point for migratory birds - more than 200 species! The crowd we saw that night was there for the big fall migration.
It has some impressive cred, too. It’s a “Wetland of International Importance”, per The Ramsar Convention, and a Provincially Significant Wetland, per the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Overall, the Big Creek NWA is 770 hectares, spanning across 2 units - both of which are an easy drive from Long Point Provincial Park.
Anyway, lots to talk about, so let’s get right to it!
The Basics:
Location Name: Big Creek National Wildlife Area
Address: 737 ON-59, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/national-wildlife-areas/locations/big-creek.html
Price Free!
Reservations: Not Applicable.
Logistics
Some basic information to help you plan your visit to Big Creek National Wildlife Area:
Registration and Check In
This is a pretty basic roadside attraction kind of park - the parking lot is right on the side of Highway 59.
There isn’t any kind of parking attendant or ticketing agent, nor any fees - just show up, park, and do your thing.
Parking
There are two relatively large parking lots for Big Creek National Wildlife Area.
The first is along the Long Point Causeway, on the west side of the road. The second is located at the Hahn Marsh Unit. That’s on the mainland, west along County Road 42.
Both are relatively large parking lots that were empty almost every time we’ve been there. I think Hahn Marsh could fit 20-30 cars, maybe 15ish at Big Creek.
You could probably park an RV in either one if it’s empty, you’d just want to be strategic so you can get out, if other cars pull in after the fact.
Bottom: Hahn Marsh Parking Lot
Washrooms
There is a small washroom building next to the lookout stand at the Big Creek Unit. It was out of service at the time of our visit - and appeared to be a “closed for the season” kind of thing.
There were 2 stalls, both were marked as being wheelchair accessible, and there was a nice ramp out front.
Maps and Signage
Some basic information to help you get around Big Creek Wildlife Area - and get TO it!
Park Map
There are two separate areas to Big Creek National Wildlife Area. Each one has its own specific area map on location.
The Big Creek Unit is the one we saw on our way into Long Point Provincial Park, and it seems to be the main section.
It’s located on the Highway 50 Causeway, southwest of Port Rowan. This will be on your right when heading south towards Long Point, coming from the mainland:
There’s a sign at the county road, but the parking lot isn’t as visible from that road, as the main area is from the causeway.
Beyond the individual section maps, there’s also a trail map for the Big Creek Unit:
Signage
There wasn’t a lot of directional signage at either of the two areas - some informational signage near the parking lot, that’s about it.
The trail at the main area was very straightforward - it really didn’t need trail blazes or directional signage.
Accessibility
I didn’t notice any designated accessible parking spots at either location, but really... there weren’t people at either of them, any of the times we went.
There WAS a huge crowd at the Big Creek Unit on our initial drive into Long Point on this most recent trip, though... so I’d say your odds of getting parking are good, but not guaranteed.
The Big Creek Unit was FAR more accessible than the Hahn Marsh Unit.
There was an apparently seasonal, wheelchair-accessible washroom at the Big Creek Unit, and none at the Hahn Marsh one.
There’s a lower observation deck at the first tower at Big Creek, which is a very short distance from the parking lot. Not AS good a view as from up top, but nice enough.
The second tower - at the end of the trail, as it was open during our stay - only had the top platform, with stairs to get up it.
Finally, there’s the trail situation.
We didn’t go very far on the trail at Hahn Marsh, because it was really difficult - rough, overgrown, and swampy in places.
The trail at Big Creek was wide and level, but very bumpy. I’m assuming it’s at least OK - not great - for wheelchair users, but it was actually deceptively difficult for my foot tendons!
They could definitely use some landscaping work in there!
Pets
Aside from the icon of a dog on a leash, we didn’t see any information about dogs at all.
Given that it’s specifically a wildlife area, I would assume that dogs are supposed to remain on a leash at all times.
We didn’t see any poop baggie dispensers - or even garbage cans - so plan ahead to pick up after your dog!
Park Store
There is no park store at Big Creek National Wildlife Area.
Visitor Centre
There is no visitor center at Big Creek National Wildlife Area.
Day Use Area
There weren’t any picnic areas or picnic tables at either of the Big Creek Wildlife Area units, at least at the time of our visit. There weren’t really any spaces that looked suited for picnic areas though.
That said, there were benches at the beginning and end of the section of trail that was open in the fall, and a set maybe halfway between them.
Connectivity
We had at least decent cell reception at both units of the Big Creek National Wildlife Area, with the caveat that we weren’t able to go very far out onto either trail.
We’re on Rogers Wireless.
Miscellaneous
There is relatively low light pollution in both areas, so they might be good for night sky viewing.
We were considering going to at least the first tower on a night with Aurora Borealis activity during our stay, but it was SO cold and windy, we turned around before we even got that far, LOL!
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Entertainment and Activity
Some information on the activities you can engage in while visiting Big Creek National Wildlife Area:
Hiking
The main area for walking - and it’s definitely more of a walk, than a *hike* is at the Big Creek Unit.
If you visit between September 16-May 14, you’ll only have access to less than a kilometer of trail, as the bulk of the trail is gated off. We visited in October, so we only had access to the year-round section of trail.
This was about 0.75 km from the parking lot to the second lookout.
Anyway, you start off with a short pathway from the parking lot to the first lookout tower, which gives you a nice view of some open water and wetland area:
The first observation tower is the only barrier-free one, with a ground-level platform.
From a distance, the trail looks wide and FLAT. In reality, the ground surface is very bumpy - little bumps, so it’s giving your stabilizing muscles in your feet a WORKOUT.
This trail goes on past some tall grasses and wetlands - along a dike and the highway - until it turns right, about halfway along the trail.
Then you walk along a little stream until you get to the second platform.
This one gives you a great view over the surrounding area, and it’s where we saw HUNDREDS of swans from - more on that in a bit!
Anyway, that section of trail forms a loop, from the second observation tower, around to the other side of the first tower. It looked to be 1.5 km on the map, and signage mentioned it being used for bird banding, during the closed-to-the-public season.
Hahn Marsh Trail
We don’t have much to report on the trail at Hahn Marsh. It’s FAR more rustic, and was pretty overgrown and swampy at the time of our visit. We only went out maybe 150 metres before giving up.
It’s too bad - it was a non-hunting day, and it could have been cool to check out the Blinds. Snowshoes may or may not have helped, that day... but we’ll be sure to check it out in the future!
Birding, Wildlife, and Nature
As I mentioned, our birding opportunities were limited by time and weather. Well, time was limited BECAUSE of the weather, LOL!
Overall - across several visits - we saw:
American Goldfinch, American Pipit, American Tree Sparrow, Bald Eagle, Bufflehead Duck, Canada Goose, Common Merganser, Double-Crested Cormorant, Gadwall Duck, Great Blue Heron, Greater Scaup, Green-Winged Teal, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Northern Harrier, Northern Shoveler, Red-Winged Blackbird, Sandhill Crane, Tundra Swan, Turkey Vulture.
Row 2: Bufflehead Ducks, Common Merganser, Double-Crested Cormorant
Row 3: Gadwall Ducks, Great Blue Heron, Greater Scaup
Row 4: Green-Winged Teal, Mallard Ducks, Mourning Dove
Row 5: Northern Harrier, Northern Shoveler, Red-Winged Blackbird
Row 6: Sandhill Crane, Tundra Swan, Turkey Vulture
We could hear a lot of “Bird Drama” as soon as we got out of the car, but couldn’t see where it was. We assumed it was a flock of geese in the distance.
At the end of the year-round trail, we found the source - HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of Tundra Swans!
We’re used to seeing 50+ swans at LaSalle Park, locally to us... but this was WILD!
Those Tundra Swans are labeled as being a “Keystone or flagship” species, along with King Rail (A bird) and Fowler's Toad.
As for species at risk, they list:
Amphibians & Reptiles: Fowler's Toad, Eastern Foxsnake, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Eastern Milksnake, Eastern Ribbon Snake, Queensnake, Snapping Turtle
Birds: Acadian Flycatcher, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Bobolink, Buff-Breasted Sandpiper, Canada Warbler, Chimney Swift, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Whip-Poor-Will, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Golden-Winged Warbler, Horned Grebe, King Rail, Least Bittern, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, Prothonotary Warbler, Red Knot, Red-Headed Woodpecker, Rusty Blackbird, Short-eared Owl
Fish: Eastern Sand Darter, Grass Pickerel, Lake Chubsucker, Pugnose Shiner, Spotted Gar, Warmouth
Invertebrates: Monarch
Mammals: Little Brown Myotis
Vascular Plants: Butternut, Swamp Rose-Mallow
Anyway, beyond the Big Creek National Wildlife Area itself, we passed the Lee Brown Waterfowl Management Area on the way to Hahn Marsh Unit.
It was a cute setup - a small lookout on the side of the road. Didn’t see any birds or ducks when we stopped there, but we’ll check it out again sometime in the future.
Boating
As I was fact checking some of our notes, I was surprised to see that boating is allowed in Big Creek National Wildlife area.
There’s year-round small boat access to the Big Creek Channel at 881 Highway 59, which is north of the Big Creek Bridge. That said, the wetlands adjacent to the channel are strictly off-limited from September 16th to May 14th.
Anyway, you can use non-motorized boats or motorized, but motorized boats are limited to a maximum speed of 8 km/hour.
Non-motorized boats can be used on the Big Creek Channel and on the Hahn Access Channel in the Hahn Marsh Unit, while motorized boats can only be used in designated areas of the Big Creek Unit.
Finally, overnight boat mooring is prohibited.
Fishing & Hunting
We had seen a “No Fishing” sign - without any qualifiers - our first time at Big Creek, so I was a bit surprised to later read that sport fishing is permitted within the Big Creek Channel - and the wetlands adjacent to it.
You can also fish in the Hahn Marsh Access Channel, but no other area of the Hahn Marsh Unit. You can’t use lead sinkers or jigs, and no spears.
There are some restrictions - you can fish from any shore or dike, and can only fish between May 15th and September 15th. Water access to the wetlands outside of that time is prohibited - unless you’re authorized to hunt waterfowl there.
On that note, there are four blinds in the Hahn Marsh designated hunting area, and that runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between Waterfowler Heritage Day and December 20th.
The hunting hours are ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset - but apparently there are designated parking spots at Hahn Marsh that can be used overnight. That’s a 2 night maximum though.
You can use off leash dogs, but not toxic shot... and, as always, all fishing and hunting requires applicable permits and laws to be followed.
Educational & Cultural Opportunities
There aren’t a lot of educational signs at either of the units. Each has a few signs right at the parking lot, but Big Creek has more.
There are also some taller educational signs along the Big Creek Unit trail, which go more beyond trail maps and such.
Niantic Games
There are a handful of Niantic Game stops (Ingress Portals, Pokestops / etc) along the trail in the Big Creek Unit.
We forgot to check for them when we were at the Hahn Marsh unit, but nothing shows up on the Ingress Intel page.
Final Thoughts
It’s a shame that the weather was so rough during our last visit at Long Point Provincial Park, because we would have spent a LOT more time there, than we did.
It was also a shame that so much of the trail was closed at the time, but I’m guessing it went pretty close to the area that had several hundred swans in it... so that’s probably for the best.
Even with the awful weather and the trail closures, we had a great time with the birding... and I bet it’s even better when the weather is decent!
We will definitely be back any time we’re in the area - probably multiple times per stay!
More Southwest & Central Ontario Provincial Parks & Places to See
Want to read some more about the parks we've camped and at places we've seen in Southwestern & Central Ontario? Here are some more posts!
Southwest/Central Ontario Campground Reviews:
Awenda Provincial Park
Balsam Lake Provincial Park
Bass Lake Provincial Park
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Conestogo Lake Conservation Area
Craigleith Provincial Park
Darlington Provincial Park
Earl Rowe Provincial Park
Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Emily Provincial Park
Falls Reserve Conservation Area
Fifty Point Conservation Area
Inverhuron Provincial Park
Long Point Provincial Park
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Mara Provincial Park
McRae Point Provincial Park
Meaford Memorial Park
Pinery Provincial Park
Point Farms Provincial Park
Port Burwell Provincial Park
Rock Point Provincial Park
Rondeau Provincial Park
Sauble Falls Provincial Park
Selkirk Provincial Park
Sibbald Point Provincial Park
Turkey Point Provincial Park
Valens Lake Conservation Area
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area
Wheatley Provincial Park
Southwest/Central Ontario Places to See:
Big Bay, Ontario
Canada's Dinosaur Park
Cheltenham Badlands
Devil's Monument
Doubes Trestle Bridge
Eugenia Falls Conservation Area
Flowerpot Island
Hogg's Falls
Inglis Falls Conservation Area
Indian Falls Conservation Area
Jones Falls
Keith McLean Conservation Lands
Lion's Head Lookout Trail
Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park
Menesetung Bridge
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Niagara Falls White Water Walk
Niagara Glen Trail & Nature Centre
Peterborough Lift Lock
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Point Pelee National Park
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
Spirit Rock Conservation Area
Springwater Provincial Park
St Thomas Elevated Park
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Want to explore beyond Southwest and Central Ontario? Check out our full list of Campground Reviews, Ontario Waterfalls, and other Places to See.
We also have a ton of Camping Recipes to cook up, while on your adventures!
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