Printer-friendlyDonahue Woods State Forest
Donahue Woods State Forest (Cortland #7) encompasses 1,093 acres and is located in the towns of Solon and Truxton in Northeastern Cortland County. Rustic and rugged, it's great for recreational activities such as hunting, bird watching, nature viewing, snowmobiling and hiking.
History
Under Article 9, Titles 5 and 7, of the Environmental Conservation Law, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been given the authority to manage lands acquired outside the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Management, as defined by these laws, includes watershed protection, the production of timber and other forest products, recreation and kindred purposes.
Donahue Woods was acquired by the state during the 1930s as part of the Roosevelt Administration's plan to counteract the effects of the Great Depression. The land had originally been used for agricultural purposes, which proved unsuccessful due to the poor quality of the soil and short growing seasons. The State Reforestation Act and the Hewitt Amendment, and later the Environmental Bond Act, provided a means for abandoned farm land to once again become productive under the management of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Today, Donahue Woods State Forest provides diverse ecological, economic, and recreational services for many residents and visitors of Central New York.
Field Notes
The cover types within the Donahue State Forest are similar to other compositions in the region, which include northern hardwood, northern hardwood-hemlock, Norway spruce, red pine, white spruce and white cedar. The plant and wildlife are abundant and diverse, and hunting in the forest can prove to be most enjoyable.
The lack of formal trails is what gives this area its pleasantly primitive characteristic. Surrounded by the dense, protective arms of the forest, it's quite easy to forget about the modern world which encroaches all around.
Trails
Donahue Woods State Forest has a Public Forest Access Road running through it which provides 2.0 miles of recreational access through the middle of the forest. There is also a designated snowmobile trail within the forest. New facilities will be considered according to the forest's Unit Management Plan.
***Stay Safe- Bring A Friend When Out on the Trails***
Directions:
Donahue Woods State Forest may be accessed by taking NY Route 13 toward Truxton, NY, and turning onto Youngs Crossing. Head south on Youngs Crossing about .2 miles to East River road. Turn left onto East River Road and travel northeast about 2 miles to Maybury Road. Head south on Maybury Road about 2 miles to Bell Road. Head east on Bell Road about 1.5 miles to the Donahue Woods Public Forest Access Road which runs the entire length of the forest in a north south direction. Parking is available, but limited, from the shoulder of the road.
State Forest Regulations
For your safety and protection of the resource, the following regulations are in place:
- All State Forests are Carry in Carry Out facilities.
- Unauthorized cutting of live trees or new trail building is prohibited.
- No camping within 150 feet of open water, roads, or trails Groups of ten or more persons , or for stays longer than three nights must obtain a permit from a DEC Forest Ranger.
- Use only dead, fallen wood for camp fires.
- All fires must be extinguished with water, and the coals must be raked until cool to the touch.
- Human waste should be buried in a shallow hole 4-6 inches deep, and at least 150 feet from water, trails, and campsites. Cover with leaf litter and dirt.
- Keep pets under control and on leash while other forest users are around.
- Unauthorized use of motor vehicles is prohibited. This includes cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATV's.
Important Numbers:
State Forest Office (M-F 8 am- 4 pm): 607-753-3095 ext. 217
Emergencies: 911
