Zak Preserve
Discover a diverse natural landscape with an easy loop trail featuring marshes, forests, and wildflower fields. A peaceful escape, but be prepared for...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer bugs, pleasant temps
Zak Preserve
Best Time
Fewer bugs, pleasant temps
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover a diverse natural landscape with an easy loop trail featuring marshes, forests, and wildflower fields. A peaceful escape, but be prepared for ticks!
"Beautiful trail with varied scenery, but be ready for a tick invasion!"
Tick & Bug Protection
Wear long pants, use DEET, and check for ticks post-hike. Essential for a comfortable visit! :bug:
Wear Sturdy Footwear
Trails can be narrow and overgrown; good hiking shoes are recommended. :athletic_shoe:
Quick Facts
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Zak Preserve Loop
Main Trail
A 1.7-mile easy loop with varied scenery: marsh, evergreen, deciduous forest, and wildflower fields.
Marshy Area Trail Section
Start of the loop (counterclockwise)
Enjoy the unique salty air and marshland views at the beginning of your hike.
Evergreen Forest Floor
Mid-loop
Experience a soft, spongy forest floor in the beautiful evergreen section.
Wildflower Field
End of the loop
Conclude your hike through a picturesque field bursting with wildflowers.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Tick & Bug Alert!
Trail Conditions & Navigation
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Tick & Bug Protection
Wear long pants, use DEET, and check for ticks post-hike. Essential for a comfortable visit! :bug:
Wear Sturdy Footwear
Trails can be narrow and overgrown; good hiking shoes are recommended. :athletic_shoe:
Bring a Map
Especially if exploring beyond the main loop, trail markers can be sparse. :world_map:
Leash Your Dog
Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Be extra vigilant about ticks on pets. 🐕
Tips
from all over the internet
Tick & Bug Protection
Wear long pants, use DEET, and check for ticks post-hike. Essential for a comfortable visit! :bug:
Wear Sturdy Footwear
Trails can be narrow and overgrown; good hiking shoes are recommended. :athletic_shoe:
Bring a Map
Especially if exploring beyond the main loop, trail markers can be sparse. :world_map:
Leash Your Dog
Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Be extra vigilant about ticks on pets. 🐕
Enjoy the Natural State
Trails are kept natural, offering a true forest immersion. Embrace the wildness! :evergreen_tree:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Zak Preserve offers a beautiful and varied natural landscape with an easy loop trail perfect for a peaceful walk. Visitors appreciate the diverse scenery, from marshlands to forests and wildflower fields. However, the experience can be significantly impacted by a high population of ticks and mosquitoes, requiring diligent preparation and post-hike checks.
"DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG HERE!!!
I found over 20 ticks on my dog. Kept him on leash and barely let him stop. Still infested.
Decent trail. Overgrown and narrow. I wore long pants and a lightweight UV hoodie and soaked myself in DEET. Found no ticks on my clothing, still swarmed with mosquitoes but bareable, as long as I didn't stop.
With how buggy it is, and the amount of ticks, not worth it. Many of trails with better views."
Robert Hunley
"Zak Preserve Loop is 1.7 miles and rated as “easy” on the AllTrails app with a total elevation gain of only 121 feet. It is a beautiful trail. Hiking counterclockwise the trail is well marked with white blazes then transitioning to yellow blazes. The trail starts off following along a marshy area (love the salty smell of the air along this section). Then the footpath meanders through a beautiful evergreen forest; the soft spongy forest floor along this section was a treat for tired feet (after hiking all day long). The last section was through a deciduous forest then finished through a beautiful field of wildflowers before returning to the trailhead. Lots of variation here. Good sized parking lot located just off of Route 27."
Paul Veilleux
"This is a beautiful piece of land. I hiked my with my two children and we had a great time. The trails are well marked and maintained, but are also kept in a very natural state, so it's like having a forest to yourself. A terrific place to get some peaceful exercise."
Andrew Schaefer
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Zak Preserve is accessible from Route 27, with a good-sized parking lot available. Some visitors access it from behind their homes, connecting to Schmit Preserve, but trail markers may be absent from these unofficial access points.
Yes, there is a good-sized parking lot located just off of Route 27, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car.
Some locals access the preserve from behind their houses, which can lead to Schmit Preserve. However, these routes may not have clear trail markers.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Information regarding entrance fees is not readily available, suggesting it is likely a free-access preserve.
Operating hours are not specified, but it's generally assumed to be open during daylight hours for public access.
No advance booking is typically required for natural preserves like Zak Preserve. Entry is usually on a first-come, first-served basis.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The Zak Preserve Loop is a 1.7-mile easy trail with 121 feet of elevation gain. It features a diverse landscape including marshland, evergreen and deciduous forests, and wildflower fields.
The trails are generally well-marked and maintained, though they are kept in a natural state, meaning they can be overgrown and narrow.
Yes, families with children have reported having a great time. The easy loop and natural setting make it a good place for kids to explore.
Dogs are welcome at Zak Preserve, but they must be kept on a leash. Be aware of the high tick population, which can affect pets.
While not explicitly detailed, the varied habitats suggest opportunities to see local birds, insects, and small mammals. The marshy areas are particularly good for birdwatching.
🎫 🦟 Pests & Safety
Yes, multiple visitors have reported finding a significant number of ticks on themselves and their dogs, even when staying on the trail and using repellent.
It's highly recommended to wear long pants, long sleeves, and use a strong insect repellent containing DEET. Thoroughly check yourself and your pets for ticks after your visit.
Mosquitoes can also be prevalent, especially if you stop for extended periods. Staying active and using repellent is advised.
The main Zak Preserve Loop is rated as easy. However, some unofficial access points might lack clear trail markers, making a map useful. Trails can also be narrow and overgrown.
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