This is a brand new nature preserve for you to explore! We welcome your input on trails, features, and habitat improvement by emailing us at land@geneseelandtrust.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Address: 404 Lake Road, Town of Ontario, Wayne County
Size: 53 acres
Why You Should Visit: Deer Creek Woods West is part of a larger block of private protected land of nearly 300 acres, under a half-mile from Lake Ontario. This nature preserve offers the unique opportunity to walk along Deer Creek and getting the chance to see and hear secretive wetland birds including American bitterns, green herons, and marsh wrens. Snapping turtles, woodpeckers, and muskrats have also all been seen at the preserve.
Parking: The parking lot for Deer Creek Woods West is located at 404 Lake Road in the Town of Ontario. If navigating through Google or Apple Maps, me sure to include ‘Town of Ontario’. The parking lot is made of crushed stone and can accommodate 8-10 vehicles. Please be careful entering and exiting the parking lot on to busy Lake Road. There are no direct public transit options at this time.
Trails: We are well underway creating new trails! Currently there are several grassy trails around the preserve. The main trail leads visitors to Deer Creek along the southern end of the preserve. Since trails are new they’re uneven and bumpy throughout. Please be careful exploring them and we thank you for your patience as we improve them over the next few months. Find the trail map for Deer Creek Woods West at the button below.
Restrooms: There are no restrooms at the preserve. The nearest public restrooms are 5 miles away along Route 104 (McDonalds, Tractor Supply, Bill Gray’s, etc.)
History: The work of saving land in this neighborhood began in 1994, when Janet Buchanan-Smith donated her first voluntary conservation easement of 87 acres, while retaining private ownership of the land. She followed this with another conservation easement of 104 acres in 2000. In 2021, neighbors Ann and Floyd Welker protected their beautiful 32 acre property with the Land Trust. In 2021 and 2022 the Land Trust purchased 56 acres from John Creatura which is now known as Deer Creek Woods West. In 2024 Bob Smith, gave Genesee Land Trust the opportunity to purchase his 18 acres which is now Deer Creek Woods East, located down the road.
We extend our deepest thanks to Janet Buchanan-Smith, Bob Smith, John Creatura, Amanda Smith-Hatch, Keith Hatch, and Ann and Floyd Welker. Together with contributions from nearly 1,000 Land Trust members, we’ve protected nearly 300 acres in this neighborhood for people, plants, and wildlife.
Please note: Only Deer Creek Woods West and Deer Creek Woods East are open to you and other public visitors. Please respect our neighbors by obeying all signs, gates, and fences. There are no trails connecting Deer Creek Woods West and Deer Creek Woods East. Thank you for helping Genesee Land Trust be a good neighbor!
Photos by Genesee Land Trust staff