State Land

Colgate Lake Wild Forest

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Map of Colgate Lake Wild Forest

The 1500-acre Colgate Lake Wild Forest features the scenic Colgate Lake in the Catskill Forest Preserve. The lake is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking and primitive camping. The yellow marked Colgate Lake Trail travels just over 4 miles to Dutcher Notch and the Escarpment Trail. The wild forest is surrounded by the Windham Blackhead Range Wilderness Area on three sides.

 

Featured Activities

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

Colgate Lake Wild Forest is open to hiking and other non-motorized recreation. The yellow marked Colgate Lake Trail travels 4 miles to Dutcher Notch and the Escarpment Trail in the Windham Blackhead Range Wilderness Area.

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

Colgate Lake Wild Forest features 6 designated primitive campsites.

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 paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Colgate Lake features a hand boat launch. No motors are allowed.

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

Colgate Lake is a popular year-round lake for trout. Decent catches of trout have been reported. The lake is stocked annually with approximately 750 brown trout from 8-15" in length.

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

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

Colgate Lake Wild Forest is open to biking and other non-motorized recreation. However there are no trails maintained for bicycles.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3A

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

Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, bear, beaver, bobcat, coyote, and fisher.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3A

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

Trapping is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, bear, beaver, bobcat, coyote, and fisher.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

Colgate Lake Wild Forest is open to cross-country skiing in the winter. There are no groomed or maintained trails, however there is a hiking trail that is utilized by cross-country skiers. Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails.

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

Colgate Lake Wild Forest is open to snowshoeing in the winter. There are no groomed or maintained trails, however there is a hiking trail that is utilized by snowshoers. Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails.

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

The Catskills are home to an abundance of wildlife. With both larger mammals (including deer, bear, and bobcat) as well as smaller mammals (including porcupine and fisher) the Catskills have several unique habitats. In addition to the many mammals found in the Catskills, hundreds of species of birds can also be found in the Catskills.

Accessible Features

From the Colgate Lake Camping Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Primitive Campsite; and

  • Privy

The primitive campsite is 200 feet from the parking area and has a privy and fire ring.

From the Colgate Lake Day Use Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Fishing/Viewing Platform

The fishing platform is approx. 200 feet from the parking area. 

Directions

From the West: Take St. Hwy. 23 East to Rt. 23A. Follow Rt. 23A to Tannersville. Make a left onto County Route 23C. Follow Route 23C to East Jewett. Make a right onto County Route 78. This leads directly to Colgate Lake.

From the East: Out of Catskill, NY, take Rt. 23A West to Tannersville. Make a right onto County Route 23C. Proceed as directed above.

  • Colgate Lake Accessible Parking Lot is located on County Route 78 at Colgate Lake. (42.238452°N, 74.120586°W) Google Maps
  • Colgate Lake Lower Parking Lot is located on County Route 78 on the right before Colgate Lake. (42.235597°N, 74.122659°W) Google Maps 
  • Colgate Lake Trail Head Parking Lot is located off of County Route 78, east of Colgate Lake, and provides access to the Colgate Lake Trail that leads into the Windham Blackhead Range Wilderness. (42.238483°N, 74.116013°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 in the Catskills to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other backcountry users.

All users of Colgate Lake Wild 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.

Planning and Management

DEC is developing a management plan which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more. A public meeting was held in November 2016 in Tannersville, where DEC gave a presentation and solicited public feedback regarding future management of the unit.

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

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Lodging and dining opportunities as well as gas, food and other supplies may be found in the communities of Windham and Palenville.

Catskill Regional Tourism Office and Greene County Tourism 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.

Important Links

Greene County Tourism
Catskill Regional Tourism Office
Contact for this Page

Region 4 Stamford Sub-Office
65561 State Hwy 10 Suite 1
Stamford, NY 12167

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Region 4 - Capital Region/Northern Catskills
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