This stunning nature reserve is just a stone’s throw away from Alexandria Bay. It’s hard to believe that a beautiful wilderness is located so close to this bustling tourist town. If you’re in need of a little bit of nature, this is the perfect destination to escape to.
Trails
The preserve features 7 trails, one of which is handicap-accessible, totaling 1.9 miles. These trails pass through various habitats such as forests, wetlands, and shrublands, and are great for activities like hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
My favorite trail was the Kayak Landing Trail, which provides views of Otter Creek and leads to the Beaver Pond, and has numerous granite outcroppings that the Thousand Islands are known for. In addition to the two creeks and the beaver pond, the preserve boasts other beautiful features.
ADA Handicap Accessible Trail
This preserve offers a hard gravel ADA handicap accessible trail that leads to the the Fitzsimmons Observation Tower. The lower level of the Tower is also handicap accessible.
Observation Tower
The observation tower overlooks the Golden-Winged Warbler habitat in the Preserves. There are only three of these habitats in the Thousand Islands. Due to human development, their natural habitat of young forest and scrubland is disappearing, which is having a massive impact on their population. As a result, their numbers are in serious decline.
Fun Fact: Golden Winged Warblers migrate from coffee plantations of Central and South America.
Suspension Bridge
Nestled within the preserve is a fantastic suspension bridge that stands out as a highlight. From its vantage point, the bridge offers a breathtaking view of Lynch Creek, winding peacefully below and framed by the majestic, towering pine trees. This is a gorgeous spot!
Wildlife
We encountered a lot of wildlife during our visit! Since it was early spring, many animals were waking up and enjoying a warm, sunny day at the preserve. Keep a lookout, as you never know what critters you might see here, especially at the Beaver Pond. We spotted numerous turtles basking in the sun there.
Dogs are welcome here but your dog must be leashed, and please remember to clean up after them. Please discard the poop bags properly… DO NOT LEAVE THEM ON THE THE TRAIL. (Honestly, you might as well not even clean it up if you are going to leave the poop bag behind.)
Getting to Otter Creek Preserve
Address: 23010 State Rte 26, Alexandria Bay, NY
Google Map Link
