Z Lake

Z Lake is located within the 21,000-acre Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, an area that boasts many wetlands and incredible wildlife habitat (particularly for waterfowl), but has few established trails. The short trail to Z Lake is actually an old farm road leading past the site of a former homestead on its way to the lake, making it a short and easy introduction to the larger area. At a mere 1.2 miles each way with very little elevation change, it’s an easy hike, passing a few additional wetlands along the way. 

Bring a pair of binoculars, as this is a great area for birdwatching at the wetlands. Z Lake is also occasionally stocked for walk-in trout fishing. There is even a first-come, first-served loaner rowboat at the lake — bring your own personal flotation device and take a tour of the lake by the water!

The trail ends at Z Lake, but the surrounding landscape consists mostly of sagebrush, bunch grass and other low-growing shrub-steppe plants, where off-trail exploration is fairly easy for those with strong map and compass skills. The area is also adjacent to some Bureau of Land Management land for additional exploration on public land. Since the area is former farm and range land, there are still old barbed wire fence lines in some areas.

In the spring, the area has fantastic wildflower displays. Note that both ticks and rattlesnakes call this area home.