Can you reserve a site at Creston National Fish Hatchery?

No. Creston National Fish Hatchery is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Creston National Fish Hatchery, Montana — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Established in 1939, Creston NFH originally provided fingerling trout for Glacier National Park. Today, the hatchery raises the threatened bull trout for stocking at Glacier NP. In addition it raises other trout species for Tribal Trust stockings, mitigation purposes, and cooperative fish management programs with the State of Montana. Self-guided and pre-arranged tours are available and the public can avail itself of the many on-site trails. Creston has, on-site, a certified Nature Explore Classroom (NEC) from the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. Science based educational programs and outreach events are available. Also a wildlife viewing blind built with help from Ducks Unlimited is part of the NEC. Creston NFH welcomes visitors to the hatchery for a close-up view of the fish production process. Visitors are invited to walk around the raceways where most of the adult trout are held, and visit the hatchery building where eggs and small fish are reared.

Getting there

Creston NFH is located at the Creston Fish and Wildlife Center in Flathead County, Montana. To locate the hatchery from Kalispell, take State Highway 35 east to Creston, continue east on Highway 35 approximately one mile and turn (left) north on Creston Hatchery Road, and then follow road for approximately one mile to the station.

48.20170, -114.11620 · 48°12'6.1"N 114°6'58.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 81°F in Aug, down to 32°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	32	37	45	55	65	71	81	81	70	56	41	33
Low °F	18	19	26	32	40	47	51	49	41	32	26	20
Precip in	1.5	1.2	1.1	1.8	2.2	3.6	1.2	0.9	1.3	1.5	1.4	1.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

A visit to a National Fish Hatchery and participating in provided activities or programs are open and free to visitors unless noted otherwise.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Creston National Fish Hatchery

Can you reserve a site at Creston National Fish Hatchery?: No. Creston National Fish Hatchery is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Creston National Fish Hatchery

Doris Creek Campground 9.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lost Johnny Campground 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lost Johnny Point Campground 10.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lid Creek Campground 11.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Emery Bay Campground 11.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Murray Bay Campground (MT) 14.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Riverside Campground (MT) 14.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Anna Creek Cabin 15.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hungry Horse Dam Visitor Center 10.9 mi · Facility
Handkerchief Lake 14.1 mi · Facility
Lakeview Campground 14.4 mi · Campground
Graves Creek Campground 15 mi · Campground

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Creston National Fish Hatchery