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Bureau of State Land Management

The Bureau of State Land Management manages more than 760,000 acres of State Forests, which include Reforestation Areas, Multiple-Use Areas, Unique Areas and State Nature and Historic Preserves, throughout New York State. These lands are highly valued for the recreational opportunities they provide and for their contributions to ecosystem health. Over 475 miles of formal recreational trails are available for camping, hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, horse riding, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. These properties are enjoyed by hunters and trappers as well as by orienteering and geocache enthusiasts. On some of these lands, timber management is used as a tool to enhance biodiversity and to create habitat features that might be lacking in the landscape. Other portions are managed to protect and enhance rare, threatened or endangered species.

In addition, the Bureau manages approximately 720,000 acres of Conservation Easements. These easements have been purchased on lands that still remain in private ownership. The purposes of Conservation Easements vary, but can include the protection of open space, public access, working forests, unique habitats, and rare and endangered species.

For a full listing of state-owned public lands, please see the Places To Go web page.

For more information about state forests, please see our State Forests Outside the Forest Preserve webpage.

Tips for Using State Forests

A few basic guidelines for anyone enjoying the use of a state forest. Please observe the following, which protect you and the forest environment:

  1. Do not litter. Carry out what you carry in. Burying of refuse is prohibited.
  2. If you build a fire, do so with care and use wood from dead and downed trees only. Never leave a fire unattended. It is recommended that you do not transport firewood because it could spread invasive insects. For more information on firewood see the Firewood and Invasive Insects web page.
  3. All motorized vehicles are restricted to access roads posted as motor vehicle trails. Off road use of motorized vehicles, such as ATV's, trail bikes and four-wheel drives is not allowed, except where specifically permitted by signs, posted notice or by DEC permit.
  4. Camping for more than three nights or in a group of ten or more requires a permit from a forest ranger. For a listing of forest rangers, see the Forest Ranger Roster web page.
  5. Camping is prohibited within 150 feet of water, roads or trails.
  6. No permanent structures should be established, including tree stands or blinds.

For more information regarding use of state forest lands outside the Preserve contact the appropriate DEC Regional Office responsible for the area.

For Information about the definitions of various state lands including State Forests and Conservation Easements, please see the State Land Classifications web page.