Windfall Creek 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: Towns of Carrollton and Great Valley, Cattaraugus County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 9T
• Map: Windfall Creek State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Windfall Creek State Forest covers 968 acres. The most common recreational uses of this area are hunting, hiking, camping, and fishing.

State forests are managed for multiple uses. They provide a source of raw material for New York's forest products industry which provides employment and income for many New Yorkers. They are managed for wildlife by the creation and maintenance of various habitats for many wildlife species. They are also managed to provide recreational opportunities and for watershed protection.

In the 1930s, Windfall Creek State Forest was the site of many work projects carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC. The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the depression. CCC projects included the construction of roads and the planting of thousands of pine, larch and spruce trees in the open areas on the property.

A water powered sawmill was located just north of Thorpe Hollow Road past the bridge. Evidence of house foundations and old fields with rock walls suggest that this state forest was farmed prior to state ownership.

Picnicking and Day Use

There is a picnic table and fishing access at Twin Ponds.

Parking is available off of Windfall Run Road for this area. There is one campsite available in this area. Twin Ponds access is not plowed in the winter months.

Directions

From Olean take Route 417 west. At Vandalia turn onto North Nine Mile Road and drive north to Nine Mile State Forest or from Route 417 take Thorpe Hollow Road or Windfall Road to Windfall Creek State Forest. Access to Twin Ponds is from Windfall Road.

Note that the parking area at Twin Ponds in the southern part of the state forest is unplowed in the winter.

• Twin Ponds parking and picnic area (42.120279°N, 78.632561°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 on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Windfall Creek 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 State Forests Unit Management Plan (UMP) 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 forest has been managed for a variety of wildlife habitats and to provide some young forest habitat for the benefit of ruffed grouse and turkey. Management will continue with a focus on improving and expanding young forest habitat.

Timber Management

Conifer - The stands of pine, larch and spruce were planted in old farm fields as they need open areas with direct sunlight to thrive. These have been or will be converted to hardwoods by removal of the conifer overstory and allowing the hardwood seedlings that usually exist in these stands to grow to maturity. Many former conifer stands exist on this unit as young hardwood stands along Thorpe Hollow Road. Some pine along the stream near Thorpe Hollow Road that are rooted in gravel soil will be retained as long as they are healthy and able to survive, as will some spruce on the other side of the road. This area was mostly hardwood and is that way today. The newest plantation is located near the Phearsorf Forest Road. It consists of strips of alternating larch and spruce.

Hardwood - Hardwood trees are not usually planted as they spread vast amounts of seed and naturally regenerate. Thinning of the forest through the sale of forest products gives the residual trees more growing space. This helps to keep the forest healthy and provides openings for new seedlings, a revolving supply of food and cover for wildlife, and a source of future crop trees. Some stands will contain large trees, giving an illusion of old growth, but in almost all cases they are not. These stands have been harvested prior to state ownership, or managed during state ownership to favor large trees. Many other stands are mature and ready to be regenerated to new stands. This is usually done by a thinning to promote regeneration of new seedlings followed by an overstory removal. Forest stands that are dominated by species that require direct sunlight for reproduction are managed in this way. Forest stands that contain oak species may require the use of fire or other types of disturbance to maintain this forest type.

Most timber on this property had been cut by a timber company before it was sold to New York State. Now, after a half century of DEC management, many mature stands exist and are ready to be harvested and regenerated. This would create forest stands in smaller size classes that are needed to balance the mix of forest stands on this unit.

New haul roads have been created to provide access for timber management. These have yellow gates and some may not be open to motor vehicles.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Nine Mile State Forest
• Allegany State Park - Red House Area

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, food and other supplies, dining opportunities, and lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Allegany, Ellicottville, Olean and Salamanca.

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.