Milford State 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
  • 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 Milford and Laurens, Otsego County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 4F
• Map: Milford State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 512-acre Milford State Forest is a mostly forested area with one small pond. The area's only amenity is a snowmobile trail that connects to a larger network of trails.

Featured Activities

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: 4F

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, turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbits, squirrels, and coyotes.

Snowmobiling

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

Milford State Forest features one snowmobile trail. This trail is maintained by the Milford Snow Trekkers (leaves DEC website) and connects to a larger network of snowmobile trails.

Wildlife

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

Otsego County lies on the eastern end of the Central Appalachian ecozone which hosts a plethora of wildlife. In addition to the notable game species and furbearers, a variety of songbirds as well as birds of prey can be found within the property.

Milford State Forest features a lot of young forest habitat, created after a 1998 tornado blew down much of the forest.

Directions

There are no designated parking areas. Roadside parking is available.

Milford State Forest can be accessed from Dutch Hill Road, located off of NYS Route 205 in the town of Laurens.

• Dutch Hill Road: 42.559039°N, 75.048441°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 on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Milford 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 recreation management plan which will describe the management activities for public recreation on these lands.

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

• Goodyear Lake Waterway Access
• Texas School House State Forest
• Arnold Lake State Forest
• Cherry Valley State Forest
• Susquehanna State Forest
• Gilbert Lake State Park (leaves DEC website)
• Robert V. Riddell State Park (leaves DEC website)

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Lodging and dining opportunities, as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Cooperstown, Milford and Oneonta.

Otsego County and Cooperstown 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.