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Winona State Forest

State Reforestation Area Oswego #2

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The Winona State Forest is located on the boundary of southern Jefferson County and northern Oswego County. It is east of interstate 81, west of Littlejohn Wildlife Management Area and is on the western edge of the Tug Hill Plateau.

This 9,233-acre state forest offers many recreational opportunities, including: hiking, skiing, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, trapping, dog sledding, birdwatching and horseback riding. The unit contains 21.8 miles of cross-country ski trails, 8.7 miles of snowmobile trails (some designated New York State Snowmobile Corridor Trails), 9.9 miles forest roads, and 5 parking lots.

This reforestation land was once farmland, and during the late 1930's and 1940's, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted evergreen trees, built roads, ponds, and buildings on this land. As the trees have grown to maturity, foresters have marked many stands for wood products, including red pine poles going overseas, pulpwood to local paper mills, black cherry to Harden Furniture and chips for energy.

Around 1980, DEC staff and local cross country skiing enthusiasts met to discuss a trail system, including one for cross country ski racing. This was logical since the Tug Hill Plateau has the biggest snowfall east of the Rockies and has reliable snow cover throughout the winter. The trails became known as the Tug Hill Tourathon Trails. Each year since then, new trails have been added. Much volunteer work went into this project and DEC Operations crews, with their heavy equipment and manpower, has made these trails what they are today.

Over the past years, many different groups have enjoyed the use of these trails, but this has made for some difficulty in how to designate which trails would be used and for what purpose. The Western Edge Recreational Association was developed around 1995 to bring together all the users: skiers, snowmobilers, dog sledders, horse owners, hunters, bikers, and orienteering people.

With the melding of ideas, resources and manpower, Winona State Forest has become one of New York State's best venues for recreation, and at the same time, provides valuable timber resources.

In 2005, DEC began developing a unit management plan (UMP) for Winona State Forest. A UMP must be completed before significant new recreational facilities, such as trails, camping sites, and parking areas can be constructed. The plans involve an extensive analysis of the natural features of an area and the ability of the land to accommodate public use. The DEC has primary responsibility for developing management plans for the State-owned lands. Draft plans are widely distributed for public comment and review prior to being finalized by DEC. The public should feel free to contact Fred Munk, Planning Team Leader, now or at anytime during the development of this plan, in writing, by phone or by fax at: 7327 State Route 812, Lowville, New York 13367, Phone: (315) 376-3522 or 376-3521, FAX: (315) 376-8059. E-Mail comments can be sent to: r6ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us?subject=Winona.

To get to this forest, from interstate 81, take Mannsville exit 39, then take county route 90 east through Mannsville. About 2.75 miles out of Mannsville, county route 90 meets Dixon Road and turns to the right. This route bears left at the intersection with Wart Road and then right at Brown Road. The historical CCC camp is another mile down the road.

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• Related Links:
• • Story about Winona State Forest Ski Trails
• Offsite Links:
• • Winona Forest Recreation Association
• PDF Help:
• For assistance with PDFs on this page, please call 315-785-2252.
• Contact for this Page:
• NYSDEC
  7327 State Rt 812
  Lowville, NY 13367
  315-376-3521
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