Cancelled for 2026 due to wildfire smoke:
The Annual Toadfest is a free, family-friendly event organized by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program.
Event Details:
- Location: Summit Lake Provincial Park, adjacent to Highway 6 near Nakusp, BC.
- Dates:
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- Early to Mid August
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- Cost: Free admission (no food or drink vendors on site; carpooling is strongly encouraged due to limited parking).
Activities & Purpose
- Save Toadlets: Help carry tiny, dime-sized western toadlets safely across the road during their seasonal migration from Summit Lake to upland habitats.
- Education & Exhibits: Learn about the life cycle and habitat needs of the western toad (a federally designated Species of Special Concern) as well as other local amphibians, snakes, and insects.
- Stewardship Booths: Visit educational displays hosted by groups like the Columbia Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) to learn about protecting local wetlands.
- Merchandise: Purchase official Toadfest T-shirts, with all proceeds directly supporting local conservation projects.
It was the return of Toadfest at Summit Lake in early August 2025, a well-loved public event that is all about the Western Toad. Summit Lake is a breeding ground of high importance for the federally yellow-listed species, and Toadfest is a way for the public to assist in a toadlet migration while learning all about this remarkable creature. Watch on Toadfest 2025 | Rogers tv:
