Turtle Creek Preserve

Turtle Creek Preserve is a beautiful park located at 64 9, Essex, Connecticut, United States. This preserve offers visitors the chance to see basking turtles in Deitsch’s Pond, as well as enjoy a mile-long trail through mountain laurel thickets and beech groves along the Connecticut River. The preserve straddles the Essex/Old Saybrook town line and encompasses the mouth of Turtle Creek, a tidal estuary that supports wild rice and eel grass.

Established with a generous gift from Dorothy S. Bowles, the Turtle Creek Preserve includes brackish tidal marshes and is part of the globally recognized wetlands complex of Tidelands of the Connecticut River. A local volunteer preserve monitor maintains the trails, ensuring they are well-kept for visitors to enjoy.

The loop trail through hemlock, hickory, oak, and cedar stands offers stunning views of South Cove and the Essex waterfront. Visitors can also explore mountain laurel thickets, beech groves, and observe wildlife such as basking turtles and ducks at Deitsch’s Pond and South Cove.

Whether you're looking to enjoy a peaceful walk in nature or observe the diverse wildlife, Turtle Creek Preserve is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts in Connecticut.