Shawangunk Ridge State Forest

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• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM), (845) 256-3076; r3admin@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: Town of Mamakating in Sullivan County and Town of Wawarsing in Ulster County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 3J and 3M
• Map: Shawangunk Ridge State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 1,411-acre Shawangunk Ridge State Forest includes a section of the 71-mile Shawangunk Ridge Trail and 356-mile Long Path that give spectacular views of the surrounding valley, as well as numerous unmarked multiple use trails which are open to non-motorized recreation.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

Hiking Trails
A 1.8-mile section of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail (leaves DEC website) and the Long Path (leaves DEC website) pass through the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest. To the south, the trail continues on into Roosa Gap State Forest. To the north the trail continues onto private land and eventually onto Minnewaska State Park to the north of Route 52.

Multiple Use Trails
Old Mountain Road is a 1.8-mile woods road that extends southwest from NYS Route 52. The trail connects to both the Long Path and the Old Plank Road Trail. The trail is an unpaved road maintained as a hiking trail and open to other non-motorized recreation such as mountain biking and horseback riding. The parking area on Mountain Road is not large enough to accommodate horse and snowmobile trailers.

Old Plank Road is a 1-mile multiple use trail that connects Old Plank Road/Old Rt. 52 to the Old Mountain Road multiple use trail. The trail is an unpaved road maintained as a hiking trail and open to other non-motorized recreation such as mountain biking and horseback riding.

Camping

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

There are no designated campsite on this state forest; 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.

Fishing

General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

The Platte Kill (or Holliday Brook) in the southeast corner of the unit is a small stream that has been documented to contain brook trout, brown trout, blacknose dace, common shiner, and slimy sculpin. Brown trout are stocked annually by DEC approximately four miles downstream from the unit. There are several other streams of varying size that may contain fish.

Southeastern NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Hunting & Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 3J and 3M

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 small game (especially squirrels), turkey, deer, and bear. There are trapping opportunities for wide‐ranging predator species such as fisher, bobcat, and coyote, but trappers won't find very many aquatic furbearers such as beaver or muskrat.

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing

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

Shawangunk Ridge State 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.

Wildlife

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

A variety of wildlife can be found within the unit. In addition to the notable game species such as small game, turkey, deer, bear, fisher, bobcat, and coyote, various birds may be found. These include common raven, bald eagle, osprey, warblers, owls, flycatchers, hawks, and other songbirds, plus at-risk species such as peregrine falcon, Cooper's hawk, red-shouldered hawk, and golden-winged warbler. Reptiles and amphibians that may be found include a variety of turtles, snakes, salamanders, frogs and toads, plus the at-risk timber rattlesnake, marbled salamander, Jefferson salamander, wood turtle and eastern box turtle.

Directions

• Old Mountain Road Parking Area (41.658464°N, 74.421468°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Cox Road Parking Area (41.646294°N, 74.401382°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Route 52 Parking Area (41.66693°N, 74.404012°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 Shawangunk Ridge 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

Snowmobiling, 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 has developed the Shawangunk Ridge Draft Unit Management Plan (PDF, 10MB) which describes the 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 r3.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Roosa Gap State Forest
• Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
• Stewart State Forest
• Witch's Hole Multiple Use Area
• Painter Hill Multiple Use Area
• Oak Ridge Multiple Use Area

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Lodging opportunities, gas, food and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Otisville and Middletown.
• Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Wurtsboro, Ellenville and Cragsmoor.

Sullivan County Visitors Association (leaves DEC website), Ulster County Tourism (leaves DEC website) and Ellenville's website (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.