Halcott Mountain Wild Forest

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• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 4 Stamford Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM), (607) 652-7365; r4.ump@dec.ny.gov
  • Enforcement Matters: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or 911
• Location: Towns of Lexington and Halcott, Greene County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 3A
• Map: Halcott Mountain Wild Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 4,760-acre Halcott Mountain Wild Forest is the most westerly unit of the Catskill Forest Preserve. A deep notch separates this mountainous unit from the Hunter-West Kill Mountain Wilderness to the east.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

Condon Hollow Road Trail (2.3 miles, yellow markers): the Condon Hollow Road Trail is the only trail in the unit. The trail extends between Turk Hollow Road and Condon Hollow Road and features a lean-to towards the Turk Hollow Road end on the trail.

Camping

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

A lean-to is featured on the Condon Hollow Trail towards the Turk Hollow Road end.

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.

Camping is prohibited above an elevation of 3,500 feet in the Catskills, between March 21 and December 21.

Fishing

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

Fishing is available at the public fishing areas on the West Kill. For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the West Kill, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map).

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.

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing

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

Halcott Mountain Wild Forest is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. There are no groomed or maintained trails, however cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking trails.

Hunting & Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 3A

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

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

Wildlife

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.

Directions

There are 4 parking areas that can be used to access the Halcott Mountain Wild Forest.

• Beech Ridge Road Parking Lot is located on Beech Ridge Road, 0.7 miles northwest from its intersection with NYS Route 42. (42.213902 °N, 74.401210 °W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Condon Hollow Road Parking Lot is located on Condon Hollow Road, 0.5 miles west from its intersection with Beech Ridge Road. (42.216101°N, 74.416335°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• NYS Route 42 Parking Lot is located on NYS Route 42, 6.3 miles south west from its intersection with NYS Route 23A. From the south it is 5.1 miles north from its intersection with NYS Route 28. (42.185153°N, 74.414912°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Elk Creek Road Parking Lot is located near the end of Elk Creek Road, 1.9 miles east from its intersection with Greene County Road 3. (42.199605°N, 74.445132°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

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

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) 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 Halcott Mountain 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.

Specific Rules

Camping is prohibited above an elevation of 3,500 feet in the Catskills, between March 21 and December 21.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the 2001 Halcott Mountain Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at r4.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Hunter - West Kill Wilderness
• Rusk Mountain Wild Forest
• Shandaken Wild Forest
• Phoenicia Wild Forest
• Slide Mountain Wilderness
• Indian Head Wilderness

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

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

Catskill Regional Tourism Office (leaves DEC website) and Greene County Tourism Office (leaves DEC website) 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 (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.