Cotton Hill State Forest & Dutch Settlement State Forest

icon key

• 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 Middleburgh, Schoharie and Wright, Schoharie County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 4G & 4H
• Map: Cotton Hill & Dutch Settlement State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 504-acre Cotton Hill State Forest and the 1007-acre Dutch Settlement State Forest feature many recreation opportunities. The Long Path also passes through both of these properties. There is a lean-to located in the northwest corner of Dutch Settlement State Forest. These state forests are managed for multiple uses, including timber production, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and recreation.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

The Long Path, which is maintained by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (leaves DEC website), extends 357 miles from the 175th Street Subway Station in New York City to John Boyd Thacher State Park in Altamont, New York. Approximately 4.66 miles of the Long Path Hiking Trail pass through Dutch Settlement State Forest, extending from Treadlemire Hill Road in the west to private property in the east. The trail may be accessed from Treadlemire Hill Road or Cotton Hill Road.

Camping

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

The Dutch Settlement Lean-to is located 0.23 mile from the Treadlemire Road parking area.

Primitive camping is also 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: 4G & 4H

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.

Snowmobiling

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

There are 6.2 miles of snowmobile trails running throughout the 2 properties. The trails are maintained by the Middleburgh Ridge Runners through a volunteer stewardship agreement. The trails connect 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.

Directions

Cotton Hill State Forest & Dutch Settlement State Forest feature 2 parking lots:

• Brooky Hollow Parking Lot (42.611429°N, 74.257312°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Treadlemire Road Parking Lot (42.629019°N, 74.270239°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 Cotton Hill State Forest & Dutch Settlement 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 is developing a unit management plan (UMP) 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 r4.ump@dec.ny.gov

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Land and Facilities

• Keyserkill State Forest Complex
• Partridge Run State Forest
• Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area
• Cole Hill State Forest
• Dutton Ridge State Forest

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, food and dining may be found in the nearby communities of Schoharie and Middleburgh.
• Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Howes Cave and Central Bridge.

Schoharie 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.