Turtle Creek Preserve
About the Business
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.
Photos
Hours open
Monday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Reviews
"A very nice walk with the dogs. The trails are well marked and maintained."
"A very pretty area, with some great water views. A very manageable place to walk/hike. Wide well marked trails. There are some houses that you can see here and there, but well worth your time."
"Not much to see here. Usually a little buggy. There are only about 10 parking spaces. However, you can walk your dog on a leash and mange to get them to the water if they like to wade. At low tide on the west side of the loop there is plenty of sandbar to play on too. Pleasant walk, not much to see, good if you are looking for a place to take the dog."
"Beautiful, mostly flat well groomed trail with amazing water views and a small "hidden" Beach. About a mile loop."
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