South Valley State Forest

• Open for Recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 9 Allegany Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), 716-372-0645; [email protected]
  • Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) 
    A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
• Location: Town of South Valley, Cattaraugus County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 9R
• Maps: South Valley Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

South Valley State Forest totals 4,227 acres and is made up of two units, known as Cattaraugus Reforestation Area #2 and #3. The most common recreational uses of this area are hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. The south boundary of Cattaraugus #3 is the Pennsylvania state line.

In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, carried out various projects at South Valley State Forest. The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the Great Depression. Projects included road construction and the planting of thousands of pine, larch and spruce trees in the open areas on the property.

Cattaraugus #2 was one of the first properties obtained by the state for the creation of state forests in Cattaraugus County. This property was home to many people in the past. There are a number of water powered saw mill sites on Cattaraugus #2 and the saw mill bases, raceways, dams and spillways are still visible on this property. These mills were water-powered and used the old style saws that went up and down. Later, with the advent of steam power and round saw blades, these mills became obsolete.

Water power from these mills was also used to grind flour and to provide power for other types of mills, such as shingle mills like the one formerly located on Phillips Brook. A series of saw mills once sat on South Branch Sawmill Run Creek and two have been found on state land on North Branch Sawmill Run Creek. Another mill operated at what used to be the southern end of Phillips Brook Road. This area has been taken over by beavers and is now a wetland, as is the former mill pond off Little Bone Run.

Directions

From Frewsburg: Take exit 14 from Interstate 86 and head south on Route 62 for about 8 miles to reach Frewsburg. Take either Frew Run Road (County Route 34) which becomes Sawmill Run Road when it enters Cattaraugus County, or Bone Run Road which intersects Route 62 just north of Frewsburg.

From Steamburg: Take exit 17 from Interstate 86 and head south on West Bank Perimeter Road which intersects with several roads that enter the state forest - Bone Run Road, Sawmill Run Road or Brown Run Road.

There are several parking areas located throughout the state forest. The best access for horse trailers is at the parking area at Pineapple Junction on neighboring Pine Hill State Forest, or at the parking area on Little Bone Run Road which accommodates horse trailers for day use only. This trailhead parking area gives access to the Rocky Top Trail. Phillips Brook Road is not a good road for horse trailers as it is very narrow and the turnaround area is very small at the dead end.

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

• Little Bone Run Road south parking area with horse trailer parking (42.064395°N, 79.004469°W) Google Maps
• Little Bone Run Road north parking area (42.066223°N, 79.007674°W) Google Maps
• Brown Run Road parking area (42.009781°N, 79.007521°W) Google Maps
• Phillips Brook Road turnaround parking area (42.066619°N, 78.98342°W) Google Maps
• Bone Run Road parking area (42.052612°N, 78.998486°W) Google Maps
• Sawmill Run Road parking area (42.030741°N, 78.976667°W) Google Maps

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 South Valley 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.

Planning and Management

DEC has developed a Draft Cattaraugus Unit Management Plan which describes the proposed management activities for these lands. 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.

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

Wildlife

This area has been managed to provide a variety of habitats. At this time there is only a small amount of young forest habitat. A healthy landscape has a mosaic of habitat types, including young forests, and supports a diversity of wildlife. The majority of the unit contains mostly stands of larger trees, but some stands have two levels of canopy, indicating trees of different ages. Management for a variety of habitats will continue.

South Valley State Forest is adjacent to the Allegheny Reservoir Wildlife Management Area on Bone Run Road. This area has some open habitat with mowed fields. The state forest has a small amount of wetland habitat and a good amount of upland forest habitat. Cattaraugus #2 has some large natural white pine and oak stands. They will be maintained and managed when possible. More young stands will be created as mature stands regenerate.

Timber Management

South Valley State Forest is managed for multiple uses such as public recreation, timber production, wildlife habitat and watershed protection.

The forests in this unit are under a sustainable management program designed to produce timber crops, maintain diverse wildlife habitat and provide recreational opportunities while protecting water quality and aesthetics. As an added bonus, many access roads and trails are created on this unit while implementing various timber management practices. These access improvements are widely used by recreationalists to access this remote property.

The stands of pine, spruce and larches were originally planted in old abandoned farm fields as a conservation measure in the 1930s to control soil and water runoff. These conifers are usually managed by a series of partial thinnings followed at the end of the growing cycle by an overstory removal. The previous thinnings allow the necessary sunlight into the forest stand to encourage the growth of native hardwood seedlings. The removal of the overstory in the final harvest allows the hardwood seedlings to grow toward maturity. The conifer wood is used for construction lumber, poles and pulp.

The vast majority of this forest is made up of native hardwoods tree which regenerate naturally on site. Periodic thinnings are prescribed for these hardwood forests through the sale of forest products to improve growing space for the remaining trees. This helps to keep the forest healthy while providing openings for new seedling growth, a constant supply of food for wildlife and a source of future forests.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Pine Hill State Forest
• Allegheny Reservoir Wildlife Management Area
• Allegany State Park

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas can be found in the nearby communities of Falconer, Frewsburg, Jamestown, Randolph and Steamburg.
• Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Falconer, Frewsburg, Jamestown and Randolph.
• Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Falconer, Frewsburg, Jamestown, Randolph and Steamburg.
• Lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Falconer, Jamestown and Randolph.

Cattaraugus 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.