Trip Rating: 4.5 / 5
Big Creek National Wildlife Area is quietly awe-inspiring. The marsh and creek system is vast, layered, and immersive, the kind of place that could take weeks or months to fully explore. The more time I spend paddling trips like this, the more I am reminded that beauty does not have to be dramatic mountains or tropical coastlines. Subtle, living landscapes can be just as powerful.
From the launch, the trip naturally divides into two distinct regions.
The first section is the marsh. An expansive network of interconnected creeks winds through tall grasses and open wetlands. Navigation demands attention here. It is genuinely easy to become disoriented, especially on overcast days. On this paddle, I followed one of the larger channels until it opened into the mouth of Big Creek itself.
Almost immediately, the scenery changes. Tall Carolinian trees close in along the banks, marking the transition from open marsh to shaded creek. From here, the paddling becomes deeply calm and immersive. Dense deciduous forest lines the water, and the creek remains navigable for hours without portaging or scraping bottom. I paddled this route in late July, and water levels were deep enough throughout the entire trip.
Launch Site
Parking is the primary logistical challenge at Big Creek. Parking is not permitted on conservation land, and much of the surrounding property is privately owned.
Fortunately, there is a small private launch that offers parking, washrooms, and snacks for $10 per day.
Launch location:
1002 George Ln, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0, Canada
There is no dock. Vehicles park directly beside a small boat launch. Canoes and kayaks are also available to rent at the on-site shop.
Trip Length
To explore the entire creek and marsh system thoroughly would take multiple days. The trip documented here took approximately 2.5 hours, but paddlers should plan longer outings depending on weather, water levels, and how much time they wish to spend exploring side channels.
Cost
$10 per vehicle (parking)
Difficulty
Class A1
This is a calm-water trip, but appropriate safety gear is still essential. The remoteness and complexity of the marsh mean self-reliance and navigation awareness matter.
Ecological Significance
Big Creek National Wildlife Area is located on the north shore of Lake Erie, approximately 3 km southwest of Port Rowan. It protects one of the most intact coastal wetland systems in the Great Lakes.
The extensive marshes at the mouth of Big Creek remain remarkably undisturbed compared to many other Great Lakes wetlands. The area is internationally recognized and designated as:
- Ramsar Wetland of International Importance
- Provincially Significant Wetland
- Part of the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve buffer zone
- An Important Bird Area
Big Creek NWA covers 802 hectares, consisting of:
- Big Creek Unit: 639 ha
- Hahn Marsh Unit: 163 ha
Every spring and fall, tens of thousands of waterfowl pass through the Long Point region. During peak migration, up to 100,000 birds may rest and feed in the marshes. More than 200 bird species have been recorded here, with over 80 breeding species.
The area also supports numerous species at risk, including:
- Endangered: King Rail, Prothonotary Warbler
- Threatened: Least Bittern, Eastern Foxsnake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Fowler’s Toad
- Special Concern: Red-headed Woodpecker, Short-eared Owl, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Milksnake, Monarch Butterfly, Swamp Rose Mallow
Seasonal highlights include spring and fall bird migrations, turtle nesting in June, and Monarch migration in late summer.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada
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