Stone Barn State Forest

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• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 6 Herkimer Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (315) 866-6330; information.r6@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 Vienna, Oneida County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6K
• Map: Stone Barn State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The majority 587-acre Stone Barn State Forest was acquired by New York State in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with the last piece being acquired in the early 1990s. The property consists of a diverse landscape of woodlands, wetlands and an unnamed protected stream that runs through the southern portion of the property.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

There is a 0.38-mile foot path that leads to an unnamed lake in the southern portion of the property. There are also a couple of unpaved forest roads.

Camping

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

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.

Paddling

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

There is a 32-acre unnamed pond that could provide people with an opportunity to canoe or kayak. The pond is roughly ¼ mile east of Widrig Road and access can be difficult. Light weight canoes or kayaks are recommended.

Fishing

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.

There is a large unnamed pond in the southeast corner of this State Forest that likely supports warm water fish species. It is roughly ¼ mile east of Widrig Road and access can be somewhat difficult.

The Godfrey Point Boat Launch area on Oneida Lake is right down the road from Stone Barn State Forest. For other fishing options check out Oneida Lake.

North Central 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: 6K

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

Wildlife

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

Common wildlife species include: white-tail deer, hawks, herons, song birds, chipmunks and squirrels.

Directions

Stone Barn State Forest is located just north of NYS Route 49 between the villages of North Bay and Cleveland. Roughly 1 mile east of Cleveland or about 5 miles west of North Bay, turn north onto Widrig Road. The state forest begins at about .5 miles. If you continue north on Widrig Road and turn east onto Stone Barn Road, turn north onto Elpis Road in .1 miles and you will reach the northern portion of this State Forest.

• Elpis Road parking area (43.25351269°N, 75.84281191°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 Stone Barn 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

Mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are allowed on the property; however, there are no trails on this property currently maintained for these activities.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Vienna Woods Unit Management Plan (PDF) with Fig. 1,2,3,4,5 & X (PDF, 5.5MB) and Fig. 6 (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 r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Timber Management

Stone Barn State Forest is comprised of natural hardwood, natural hardwood-hemlock stands and wetlands. The dominant species are red maple, sugar maple, black cherry, American beech, red oak and eastern hemlock. Stone Barn is also comprised of plantations that were established in the late 1930's and early 1940's. The tree species that were planted include jack pine, red pine, eastern white pine, scotch/scotts pine, eastern larch, Norway spruce, and northern white cedar.

All state forests are lands which have been certified as being managed using responsible forestry practices and having met the requirements for Green Certification according to the policies and principles of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®). In addition, management activities take place in accordance with the actions outlined in the unit management plan.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Three Mile Bay Wildlife Management Area
• Rome Sand Plains Unique Area
• Fish Creek State Forest
• Klondike State Forest
• Verona Beach State Park (leaves DEC website)
• Oneida Lake

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, dining opportunities, lodging, food and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Rome, Camden, Sylvan Beach, and Cleveland.

Oneida County Tourism webpage (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.