Current Travel Information & Advisories for Creston BC
Know Before you go
Planning a visit to Creston BC? Ensure a smooth trip by planning ahead with important and up-to-date travel information for the area available on this resource page. Find the latest updates for nearby Canada-US border crossings, highway & road conditions, forest fire alerts, flood advisories, local emergency information, and much more. Stay informed and equipped with the necessary information and resources you need to enjoy your trip to Creston!
Highway 3A Construction Between Sirdar & Kuskanook - Sept & Oct 2025
Location: Highway 3A between Kuskonook Rest Area and Bathie Road (approx. 4 km south of Kuskonook).
Dates & Times: Ongoing blasting work until Friday, October 31, 2025, weekdays from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT).
Traffic Impacts:
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Single-lane alternating traffic with traffic control in place.
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Delays up to 20 minutes can be expected throughout the day.
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Scheduled full closures (1 hour):
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9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
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2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
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What this means for travellers:
Visitors driving between Creston and Kootenay Lake should plan extra travel time, especially if connecting to the Kootenay Lake Ferry at Kootenay Bay. Please watch for traffic control personnel and drive with caution in the construction zone.
For the latest updates, visit: Drive BC
Update on Wildfires & Air Quality in the Creston Area – September 4, 2025
As of early September, a number of small forest fires have been reported in the region — including one in the Darkwoods Conservation Area on the west side of Kootenay Lake and another in the Kidd Creek area east of Creston along Highway 3. At this time, neither of these fires poses a risk to the community or travel to the area. However, combined with wildfires in northern Idaho and Washington State, these incidents have led to periods of reduced visibility and smoky conditions in the Creston Valley.
All businesses, attractions, and accommodations remain open and ready to welcome visitors. Indoor activities are a great option if outdoor conditions are impacted by smoke.
Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy have issued a Special Air Quality Statement for the West Kootenay region. Smoke may be present across the landscape over the next 24–48 hours, and conditions can change quickly.
We encourage visitors to plan ahead and check the following resources before travelling:
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BC Wildfire Service Map – Current fire locations
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DriveBC – Road conditions and closures
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Creston Valley Visitor Centre – Visitor information and support
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Town of Creston Facebook and RDCK Facebook – local government updates
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Creston Cameras – Live visibility
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IQAir – Local air quality readings
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Kootenay Rockies Tourism – Regional travel information
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To report a wildfire, call *5555 on a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. For questions, please contact the Creston Valley Visitor Centre during regular hours or use the online contact form.
Category 2 Open Fire Prohibition - SOuth-East Fire Centre - July 2025
Effective at 12:00 noon PDT, Friday, July 11, Category 2 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre including the Creston area. This prohibition bans fires in one or more piles exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width and grass or stubble burns. This prohibition does not include Category 1 campfires. A Category 1 campfire refers to any fire that is:
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No larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide
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Used for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, dial *5555 on a cellphone or call 1-800-663-5555. You can also report a wildfire using the BC Wildfire App’s Report a Fire function.
For more information on the Category 2 open fire prohibition in the Southeast Fire Centre, visit the BC Wildfire Service website.
Corn Creek Marsh Trails Update – August 28, 2025
Following a temporary closure due to a recent grizzly bear encounter, all trails in the Corn Creek Marsh area of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area are again open to the public fon non-motorized activity, including the previously closed sections of the Wildlife Tree Wander Trail (see map below for details).
As always, we remind all visitors to be prepared when exploring trails in the CVWMA, where a wide range of wildlife call the area home. Please:
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Carry bear spray and know how to use it
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Make noise to avoid surprising wildlife
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Stay aware of your surroundings
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Keep dogs leashed and clean up after them
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Pack out everything you pack in
For the latest updates and trail information, please visit: www.crestonwildlife.ca
US Canada Travel & Border Information
We’re thrilled to have you here in Creston! Despite recent trade disputes between the Canadian and US federal governments, entering Canada remains as easy as ever and there are no new travel regulations, so you can enjoy your visit just like before. We continue to welcome our American neighbours to come explore our area of British Columbia and Canada!
For more general information regarding crossing the border into Canada please visit our Border Information page. Otherwise, if you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to our Visitor Centre—we're here to help!
Border Crossing HOURS
The Rykerts-Porthill Border Crossing connects the town of Bonners Ferry, Idaho with Creston, British Columbia on the Canada–US border. Please note that the Rykerts (Canadian) and Porthill (US) Ports of Entry currently have different hours of operation, with the Canadian side open a few hours later throughout the year. This should be taken into consideration when planning to return to the US.
However, the nearby Kingsgate (Canadian) & Eastport (US) Ports of Entry, located south of Yahk, BC still both operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which may make for a more convenient border crossing option for US visitors to the area.
Please find current hours of operation, phone number and links to more information below:
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Rykerts (Canadian) Port of Entry
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7:00am – 11:00pm (2nd Sunday in March to first Sunday in November)
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8:00am – 12:00am, midnight (first Saturday in November to 2nd Saturday in March)
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Porthill (U.S.A) Port of Entry
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7:00am – 7:00pm, seven days a week
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Kootenay Lake Ferry Service
The Kootenay Lake Ferry is operating on its regular schedule following four months of job action. Both the union and Western Pacific Marine have agreed to binding arbitration, and job action has ceased.
However, Some late-day sailings may still be cancelled due to staffing shortages. Travellers are advised to continue to check DriveBC before traveling.
Regional & Provincial Travel Information
Further current news and information on travel to the Creston Area as well as the Kootenay Region and British Columbia can be found at Destination BC's Visitor Website, linked here.
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Can we help?
Have any questions about travelling to the area ? Contact the Creston Valley Visitor Centre and staff will be happy assist you!