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New Yorks Forest Preserve

Location of New York's Forest Preserve

Of the 4.5 million acres of land managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), nearly 3 million acres, or 63%, are classified as Forest Preserve. Comprised of 2.6 million acres in the Adirondack Forest Preserve and 286,000 acres within the Catskill Forest Preserve, these lands represent a majority of all state owned property within the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

Tall pine tree

The two Parks were designated by the New York State legislature near the turn of the 20th century, and originally included only the state-owned Forest Preserve land. The description of each park was revised in 1912 to include ALL lands, both public and private, within the "Blue Line". This term is commonly used today, as blue is the color used on state maps to delineate the two parks.

Protected as "forever wild" by Article XIV of the New York State Constitution, New York's Forest Preserve lands have exceptional scenic, recreational, and ecological value. Rugged mountain peaks, remote lakes and ponds, millions of acres of unfragmented forests, and nearly 2,000 miles of trails provide ample opportunity for many types of recreation while providing a variety of habitats for plants and wildlife. Striking a balance between recreational use and resource protection in the Forest Preserve is achieved through a park-wide land classification system and individual unit management plans.

For a listing of state-owned public lands, including Forest Preserve, please see our Places To Go page.


More about New Yorks Forest Preserve:

  • Article XIV of the New York State Constitution - The 1894 Constitutional Convention approved a new Article VII (now XVI). This proposal was approved by the people at the 1894 General Election and became effective on January 1, 1895.
  • Adirondack Forest Preserve - The Adirondack Mountains of northeastern New York are home to the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, a patchwork of public and private lands protected under state law
  • Catskill Forest Preserve - Catskill Park
  • Forest Preserve Temporary Revocable Permit Activity Log - Temporary Revocable Permits (TRPs) are issued by the Department to grant permission, for the temporary use of state lands, to individuals or organizations to carry out projects and activities which are appropriate to such land. This log was created to list approved activities currently taking place on Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve lands.