Bearpen Mountain State Forest

Please see the NYS Parks website for information on Bear Mountain State Park (leaves DEC website).

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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
  • 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: Greene and Delaware Counties. Towns of Roxbury, Prattsville, Lexington and Halcott.
• Wildlife Management Unit: 4R
• Map: Bearpen Mountain State Forest Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 2,848-acre Bearpen Mountain State Forest is located in Greene and Delaware Counties in the Northern Catskill Mountains along what is known as the Bearpen Range. Most of these state forest lands were acquired in 1930's to the 1950's. Lands classified as state forest are managed for timber on a scientific basis while also managing for wildlife, recreation and watershed protection.

There are no designated hiking trails on Bearpen Mountain State Forest, however, Ski Run Road is a public forest access road that can be used by hikers. There are also several old skid trails which hikers can use as well.

Featured Activities

Snowmobiling

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

Snowmobiling is permitted on state land unless otherwise prohibited and a designated trail exists along Ski Run Road.

Camping

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

There are no designated campsites; however, 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.

Hunting & Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 4R

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

Bearpen Mountain State Forest is open to hunting and trapping in appropriate seasons.

Wildlife

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

Directions

• Heisinger Road Access: Take New York State Thruway to Exit 20 (Catskill). Take a LEFT out of the NYS Thruway toll booth. Take a RIGHT onto Rt. 23 westbound. Go 33.3 miles until the intersection of 23a and Rt 23. Take a RIGHT and continue through Prattsville. After passing through Prattsville, you will cross over the Schoharie Creek. Go over a Green Bridge. Take LEFT onto County Route 2 as soon as you come off the bridge. Go 3.2 miles on County Rt 2. Take a RIGHT onto Don Irwin Road-Go .2 mile. Take LEFT onto Heisinger Road-Go .2 mile almost to the end. Park on the side of the road. All land from Rt. 2 to Heisinger Road is State Forest. The road is plowed in the winter and you can park on Heisinger Road. Do Not Block the driveway at the very end of Heisinger Road. The trail is about 50' before the end of the road on the LEFT side. Look for a steel gate. (42.283542°N, 74.462056°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

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

Rules, Regulations & Outdoor Safety

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

Specific Rules

• Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.

Planning and Management

DEC is developing a unit 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.

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

• Hunterfield State Forest
• Relay State Forest
• Plattekill State Forest
• Halcott Mountain Wild Forest
• Hunter-West Kill Mountain Wilderness
• Elm Ridge Wild Forest
• North-South Lake Campground
• Devil's Tombstone Campground
• Little Pond Campground

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Lodging and dining opportunities, as well as food, gas and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Prattsville, Grand Gorge, Stamford, Windham, Hunter, and Tannersville.

Greene County Tourism Office (leaves DEC website) and Delaware 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.