Gazzam Preserve

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Gazzam Preserve is a 444-acre nature preserve located on Bainbridge Island in the state of Washington.


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Summary

This preserve offers visitors a chance to explore nature and enjoy a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There are many reasons to visit Gazzam Preserve, including the opportunity to see a diverse range of wildlife, hike through picturesque trails, and learn about the area's history.

Some of the specific points of interest to see include the beautiful Gazzam Lake, which is home to a variety of aquatic creatures like frogs and turtles, and the many different types of trees that make up the preserve's forests. Visitors can also explore the various trails that wind through the preserve, including the Gazzam Lake Trail, the Ridge Trail, and the South Trail, each of which offers unique views and experiences.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Gazzam Preserve was created in 1994 by the Bainbridge Island Land Trust to protect the land from development and preserve its natural beauty for future generations. Additionally, the preserve is home to a wide range of plant and animal species, including deer, coyotes, and various birds, and it serves as an important habitat for many of these creatures.

The best time of year to visit Gazzam Preserve will depend on personal preferences, but most visitors recommend visiting during the spring or summer months when the weather is mild and the flora and fauna are in full bloom. The preserve is open year-round, however, and each season offers its own unique beauty and opportunities for exploration.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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