Canyon Creek Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Canyon Creek Wildlife Management Area is 3,315 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 3, inside Hunting Districts 339 and 343. FWP lists black bear, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's 2026 regulations list Canyon Creek WMA as closed December 2 to May 15.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Canyon Creek WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestBLMState trust landFWP landOther publicCanyon Creek WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 3,315 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 3, Southwest Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 339, HD 343 |
| Rules | FWP's 2026 regulations list Canyon Creek WMA as closed December 2 to May 15. |
| Camping | Not listed in FWP's area data |
| Hunter access | Refer to current hunting regulations for hunting and weapons restrictions. |
| Nearest towns | Canyon Creek (7 mi), Marysville (9 mi) and Wolf Creek (12 mi) |
What is Canyon Creek WMA for?
Canyon Creek WMA, 3,315 acres in the Robert E. Lee Range about 26 miles northwest of Helena, was put together from five purchases starting in 1996. FWP manages it as habitat for mule deer, moose and upland birds all year and for elk and bears in season, and for public hunting and fishing access.
From FWP's Canyon Creek WMA page.
What are the rules on Canyon Creek WMA?
FWP's 2026 regulations list Canyon Creek WMA as closed December 2 to May 15. It is reached from MT 279.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: Refer to current hunting regulations for hunting and weapons restrictions.
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Canyon Creek WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Canyon Creek WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Canyon Creek WMA: black bear, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: blue grouse and ruffed grouse.
Which hunting districts is Canyon Creek WMA in?
Canyon Creek WMA lies in 2 deer and elk districts. Each district's FWP harvest estimate, for the whole district, not the WMA alone:
| District | WMA acres in it | Elk harvested (district) | Deer harvested (district) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 339 Sieben-Sleeping Giant | 2,386 | 176 (2025) | 202 (2025) |
| HD 343 Helena-North | 929 | 165 (2025) | 241 (2025) |
Harvest: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk and deer, 2020 to 2025). WMA acres in each district measured by FilledTag from FWP's boundaries.
How do you get to Canyon Creek WMA?
Highways within 8 miles: MT 200. Nearest towns: Canyon Creek (7 miles), Marysville (9 miles), Wolf Creek (12 miles) and Lincoln (15 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Canyon Creek WMA open?
FWP's 2026 regulations list Canyon Creek WMA as closed December 2 to May 15. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Canyon Creek WMA?
FWP lists black bear, blue grouse, elk, mule deer, ruffed grouse and white-tailed deer for hunting or trapping on Canyon Creek WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 339 and 343).
Can you camp on Canyon Creek WMA?
FWP does not list camping on Canyon Creek WMA.
Which hunting district is Canyon Creek WMA in?
HD 339 (2,386 acres) and HD 343 (929 acres), by FWP's boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Canyon Creek WMA.
- Boundary and acres: FWP wildlife management area boundaries. Surrounding public land: Montana Cadastral Public Lands, Montana State Library, published 2026.
- District harvest: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk and deer, 2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.