The rivers in the eastern and central parts of the district drain into the Kholova and its tributaries.

The rivers in the western part of the district, including the Nisha and the Mayata, drain into Lake Ilmen.

[11] The area was located along the road connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, and Kresttsy developed as a major trade center.

Krestetsky District, with the administrative center in the selo of Kresttsy,[14] was established within Novgorod Okrug of Leningrad Oblast effective October 1, 1927.

[15] On January 4, 1931, Kamzovsky Selsoviet was granted Estonian ethnic status, but was abolished on April 14, 1939.

[16] Krestetsky District was not occupied during World War II, though it was located close to the front line.

On July 5, 1944, Krestetsky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast,[14] where it remained ever since.

[3] There are two large-scale agricultural enterprises in the district, specializing in poultry and pork production.

[3] The M10 highway which connects Moscow and St. Petersburg crosses the district from southeast to northwest.

There are road connections to Malaya Vishera (starting in Kresttsy) and to Staraya Russa via Pola.

[18] The monuments protected at the federal levels are archaeological sites and the Tatishchev Estate in the village of Ust-Volma.