QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 67 acres
- Trail Mileage: ~2.5 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: quiet lake, tree IDs
This is a peaceful 67-acre town preserve, with just under three miles of trails, the prettiest ones edging quiet, beautiful Silver Lake. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear loons. The town has also posted signs identifying trees, which is fun. The trail network starts at the edge of a large field that seems good for birdwatching. The town mows the perimeter for walkers (not shown on my map).
The main trail leaving the parking area heads down a wide and grassy (but well mown!) trail. Many of the interior trails are also wide and level, taking advantage of old woods roads. There’s a bit of an incline from the water’s edge up to these inland trails.
Meanwhile, some of the trails along the water’s edge are rougher, with roots and uneven terrain. If you head out to the small peninsula, on the west side of the preserve, you might encounter overgrown, narrow trails through shrubby undergrowth and old apple trees. But there are two lovely spots on the water from the peninsula, so I do recommend attempting this section!
If you don’t want to bother with it, though, sticking to the exterior lakeside trail up to the northern tip of the preserve is a wonderful walk. The trail also evens out as it heads northward. There are small spots that open up by the water to check out along the way. If you do the big loop but leave out the peninsula, it’s about 2 miles in total. Adding the little peninsula extends the walk to ~2.5 miles.
All of the places I’ve indicated on my map with red icons provide water access and potential swimming, though you might encounter slimy rocks in the water. Some have small ledges and benches.
Directions: If you’re crossing the river from Prospect, take a left onto Main Street after you come off the bridge. Turn right onto Central Street five blocks down and drive 1.7 miles or so to 350 Central Street. You’ll take a left at the town’s public works buildings. Look for Silver Lake signs and follow them down a dirt road behind the buildings and through a meadow to the forest-side trailhead.
