Goose Egg State Forest & Batten Kill State Forest

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• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 5 Warrensburg Office (M-F, 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM), (518) 623-1200; info.r5@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 Jackson and White Creek, Washington County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 5S
• Map: Batten Kill and Goose Egg State Forests Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 535-acre Batten Kill State Forest and the 436-acre Goose Egg State Forest lie adjacent to one another and just west of the New York-Vermont border. A vantage point near the end of Folded Rock Trail provides a picturesque view to the west. Private properties adjoin the Batten Kill and Goose Egg State Forests - please respect their private lands.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

Batten Kill and Goose Egg State Forests feature Folded Rock Trail, a 5-mile round-trip trail that is open to hiking and other recreation.

Camping

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

There are no designated campsites; but primitive camping is allowed. Camping must be at least 150 feet away from a water body, road or trail. Camping for more than three nights or in a group of 10 or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

Paddling

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

Batten Kill State Forest features, the Batten Kill, which is open to paddling and other recreation. There is a parking area and hand launch on the Batten Kill off the north side of Eagleville Road.

Fishing

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

Batten Kill State Forest features the Batten Kill, a river which is open to fishing and other recreation. The four mile stretch of Batten Kill near the property is known for brook and brown trout. The stretch of the river between the Vermont border and the Eagleville covered bridge allows year-round catch and release fishing using only artificial lures for trout. There is a parking lot and access point off the north side of Eagleville Road.

For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the Batten 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).

Adirondack/Lake Champlain 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: 5S

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 furbearers and game species found within the property include fisher, pheasants, deer, turkey, and other small game. Private properties adjoin the Batten Kill and Goose Egg State Forests - please respect their private lands.

Wildlife

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

Batten Kill and Goose Egg State Forests feature a variety of wildlife, both within the forest, as well as in and around the Batten Kill. In addition to the notable game species, a number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and a range of songbirds can be found within the state forest.

Directions

Parking areas West to East:

• Eagleville Road parking lot provides access to the Batten Kill River (43.082968°N, 73.311144°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Batten Kill State Forest Route 313 parking lot provides access to the Folded Rock Trail (43.082352°N, 73.307462°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Goose Egg State Forest parking lot located off Bates Road (43.070561°N, 73.276272°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.

All users of Batten Kill and Goose Egg State Forests 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

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 manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Northern Piedmont Unit Management Plan (PDF). 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 r5.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Eldridge Swamp State Forest
• Chestnut Woods State Forest
• Mt. Tom State Forest
• Carter's Pond Wildlife Management Area

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Lodging and dining opportunities as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the Towns of Jackson and White Creek or the nearby village of Cambridge.

Washington County Tourism Office (leaves DEC website) and the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (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.