State Land

Punkeyville State Forest

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  • Open for recreation: Year-round
Punkeyville location

The 518-acre Punkeyville State Forest was purchased in 2012. It received its name through a contest in which students from Forestport Elementary School submitted potential names. Punkeyville was an early name for the area that is now Forestport. This was also the site of a commercial trout farm years ago. Some of the rearing ponds and raceways are still evident. The property is currently managed for multiple uses, including timber production, watershed protection, wildlife habitat and recreation.

 

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are 2 unnamed haul roads on Punkeyville State Forest that total 0.38 mile and are open to hiking. There are also some old unmaintained and unmarked skid trails that provide great opportunities for people to hike and enjoy the state forest.

General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Punkeyville State Forest has approximately 0.75 mile of frontage along the Black River, which is stocked with brook trout. Access to the Black River through Punkeyville State Forest is difficult because of the wetlands that must be crossed. There is a public fishing stream parking area located just off the property on West River Road.

For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the Black River, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map).

North Central NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Wildlife Management Unit: 6J

General Information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Wildlife Management Unit: 6J

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

River Road and Irish Settlement Road paved and unpaved roads that are major snowmobile routes connected to the NYS Snowmobile Trails network. The Trackside Blazers Snowmobile Club are responsible for maintaining and grooming snowmobile trails through a volunteer stewardship agreement.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

There are also opportunities to see wildlife. Species common to the area include white tail deer, turkeys, hawks, song birds, humming birds, dragonflies and chipmunks.

Directions

Follow NYS Route 12 / 28 North to Alder Creek. Bear right to continue on NYS Route 28 North to the village of Forestport. Go west into the village of Forestport to River Road. The property begins at the intersection of West River Street and River Road. There are no official maintained parking areas on this unit.

  • Public Fishing Stream parking area, located at the end of West River Road just south of the property's boundary line (43.443889°N, 75.210194°W) Google Maps

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Punkeyville State Forest must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Specific Rules

Mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding are all permitted on the property; however, there are no currently maintained trails for these activities.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Adirondack Foot Hills Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

View Maps and Figures for the Adirondack Foothill UMP here.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, email [email protected].

Punkeyville State Forest is comprised of natural forest, plantation, forested wetlands, brushy fields and wetlands. The natural forests are made up of hemlock, red maple, yellow birch and white pine, while the plantations are comprised of white pine, red pine, Scotch pine and spruce.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas, dining opportunities, lodging, food and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Alder Creek, Boonville, Forestport, Woodgate and White Lake.

Oneida County Tourism website can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.

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Region 6 - Western Adirondacks/Eastern Lake Ontario
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