Kayak Big Creek Marsh

What a beautiful spot!  We paddled Big Creek, a river that opens up into the marshes near Long Point Provincial Park, twice last fall and we loved the creek.  While we have plans to paddle the creek again this fall, we decided we’d also like to check out the marsh at the base of the creek.  Read on to find out why we think Big Creek National Wildlife Area should be on your Ontario paddling list!

Read on for more about what to expect when you kayak Big Creek Marsh, or visit our Where to Paddle page for links to more great kayaking destinations in Southern Ontario and beyond.

Our Recommended Trip

Put In / Take Out:  Port Royal at Cty Rd 42.  GPS 42.596368, -80.484773.  

Trip Length: 8 km, 2-3 hours.  Stay clear of the areas in the marsh that are posted as private land, but there’s still lots to explore.  At the end, we paddled a little ways upstream from the Port Royal launch on Big Creek and then came back, extending the trip by a bit.  This added an extra km each way, bringing the paddle up to 10 km.

Cost:  There were no admission or launch fees.  Access point is maintained by Long Point Region Conservation Authority.

Degree of Difficulty:   Beginner – you can choose do do as much or as little of this spot as you wish.  The water was slow moving / still when we visited in August, and there weren’t any currents to contend with, making this paddle more lake-like.
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Gear Recommendations

Life jackets and all Transport Canada required safety gear is always a must.  Sunscreen and sun hats are definitely recommended when you’re out on the water.

Big Creek National Wildlife Area

The marsh at Big Creek is one of the only remaining undisturbed coastal wetlands along Lake Erie’s, and actually all of the Great Lakes shores.  Most of Ontario’s coastal wetlands have been lost to development, putting the species that rely on this ecosystem at risk, endangered or threatened. The Big Creek national Wildlife Area spans 615 hectares, and is home to birds, frogs, turtles, and other species that depend on its wetland habitat.  The area is also a major staging area for migratory waterfowl and bird species each spring and fall.  

​We’ve kayaked down Big Creek previously (see this post here) but we didn’t have time to explore the Marsh on those trips.  While Big Creek is a bit of a longer drive for us compared to most of the destinations we visit on the weekend, we feeds into these marshes and then flows on to Long Point’s Inner Bay.  The Big Creek National Wildlife Area’s marshes are a major staging area for migratory waterfowl.

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Big Creek feeds into these marshes and then flows on to Long Point’s Inner Bay.  For budding and experienced birders, Big Creek Marsh is an unassuming and under-rated gem compared to its more well-known next door neighbor, Long Point.  Both areas are designated as Important Bird Areas, and are considered a significant staging area for migratory birds.  When you kayak Big Creek Marsh, you are seeing one of the only remaining undisturbed coastal wetlands along Lake Erie’s, and actually all of the Great Lakes shores.  Most of Ontario’s coastal wetlands have been lost to development, putting the species that rely on this ecosystem at risk, endangered or threatened. 

Big Creek national Wildlife Area spans 615 hectares, and is home to birds, frogs, turtles, and other species that depend on its wetland habitat.  The area is also a major staging area for migratory waterfowl and bird species each spring and fall.  ​

​There is a small marina at the point where Hwy 59 crosses the marsh, and there is an operating outfitter that rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards here (see below) so you can kayak Big Creek Marsh even if you don’t have your own boats.  Shortly after you pass under the bridge, you will enter Lake Erie’s open waters.  The main marsh is located before you get to the bridge, and there wasn’t much to see on the other side of the bridge.  It was also quite busy with fishing boats and jet skis launching in the marina area.  We were happy to stay out of the way and explore the marsh.
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We visited the Marsh in mid August, which is around the beginning of the fall migration season, so we had big hopes of seeing lots of birds, but the marsh was pretty quiet when we were there.  We did see gulls, terns, great blue herons, and egrets.  But what we saw in incredibly high numbers were swallows.  So many swallows! 
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Usually we stop mid-paddle for a picnic lunch.  That was one issue with the Marsh.  We really couldn’t find a location to stop and get out before we headed back to the launch, and so we had lunch right from our kayaks.  This wasn’t hard as the water was calm, but we did miss the chance to stretch our legs!
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Additional Reading

Parks Canada overview of Big Creek NWA
Why is it Crucial to Protect Ontario’s Wetlands?
Photos from Big Creek and Hahn Marshes – Cheryl Drumoulin
​Plus, links to more interesting reading on our Big Creek post
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Outfitter Options

Cronmiller’s at the Bridge https://www.atthebridge.ca rentals operating right at the base of the marsh
Grand River Rafting (operates on the Creek) https://grandriverrafting.ca
Long Point Eco-Adventures https://www.lpfun.ca/
Grand Experiences https://grand-experiences.com/

More Kayaking Destinations

For more trip planning inspiration, don’t miss our Where to Paddle page for links to more great kayaking destinations in Southern Ontario and beyond.