The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Meadowhawk dragonfly at Thousand Acre Swamp in Central and Western New York. © Jay Greenberg

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Plants and Animals View All

Plan Your Visit

Location View All

Get Directions

With a history reaching back to the Ice Ages, the Thousand Acre Swamp in Penfield is full of unique habitats ranging from marshy lowlands to forested upland tracts.

An extensive boardwalk and trail system winds through the preserve, allowing visitors to observe a unique variety of plants and wildlife. The swamp is one of Monroe County's largest wetland systems, and plays a particularly vital role due to its location and immense biological diversity.  

Thousand Acre Swamp is managed by an active group of volunteers – the Thousand Acre Swamp Preservation Committee – that manages the preserve, coordinates all public hikes and provides overall guidance and direction to our conservation efforts. Ten trails on the property show you a world of wildflowers, animals, birds and other natural wonders. Join us for more than 30 different professionally guided hikes and field trips every year. Please contact the Central & Western Chapter for a free brochure.

For information on how to volunteer, please call (585) 546-8030.

Things To Do

Thousand Acre Swamp boasts a remarkable variety of animal wildlife, including some rare or unusual species. You may see foxes, white-tailed deer, weasels, and coyotes. 

The preserve is also a great place to do some birdwatching. Visitors have spotted, among other species, eastern bluebirds, great blue herons, green herons, black-throated green warblers, wood ducks, woodpeckers, and ruffed grouse. As you walk the trails, look for red and white trillium, jack-in-the-pulpits, trout lilies, marsh marigolds, blue cohosh, witchhazel and cattails. Thousand Acre Swamp also features a number of large silver maple and ash trees.

Plan Your Visit

This 500-acre preserve is located in the Town of Penfield, just outside of Rochester within Monroe County, NY.

Directions

• At the intersection of I-490 and I-590 east of Rochester, take I-590 north one mile to NY-286.
• Drive east on NY-286 approximately 4.9 miles and then turn left (north) on Jackson Road.
• Drive approximately 0.5 miles on Jackson Road.
• The entrance to the Thousand Acre Swamp Sanctuary is indicated by a wooden sign on the west side of Jackson Road (just north of the Sheriff's substation and adjacent to the Penfield Volunteer Ambulance.
• Turn left and follow the narrow driveway, passing to the left of the house at the end of the drive. Parking is available in the gravel lot (closed in winter).
• Please do not park in the driveway at any time. A well-traveled path leads about two hundred yards to the forest edge and the beginning of the trail system.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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