Fall Brook 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 Annsville, Oneida County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6K
• Map: Fall Brook State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 4,479-acre Fall Brook State Forest was acquired in the 1930s and the 1940s. One piece was acquired in 1958. Two more pieces where acquired in 1961 and 1962. The state land is used for water quality protection, recreation, wildlife habitat and timber production.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

There are approximately 2.3 miles of unpaved roads, snowmobile routes and unmarked trails that provide access to the property.

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 and regulations.

Cassbaker Pond and Blake Pond provide great opportunities for flat water paddling. There are no boat launches on this property; however, you can put in from the shoreline of both ponds. There is a forest access road that runs north to the ponds off of Cassbaker Road. Access may be challenging due to the primitive nature of the infrastructure.

Fishing

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

Cody Brook, Sullivan Brook, Finn Brook and Hennessey Brook are all protected trout streams that flow through this state forest. Access to these streams may be somewhat difficult. In addition, warm water fish species are present in Cassbaker Pond and Blake Pond. Access to the ponds can be gained from the forest access road that runs north off of Cassbaker Road.

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.

Snowmobiling

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

The 5-mile Sullivan Road and the 1-mile 46th Road are seasonal roadways that pass through both Fall Brook and Swancott Hill State Forests and provide snowmobiling access. Gubbins Road (1.5 miles), Casbaker Road (1.4 miles) and Gossner Road (0.3 mile) are all seasonal roadways that also may be used by snowmobilers. There are an additional 1.8 miles of trail that traverse the woods along the eastern edge of the state forest. All of these trails join with the NYS Snowmobile Trail network upon leaving the property. The T.C. Riders Snowmobile Club (leaves DEC wesbite) maintain and groom the snowmobile trails on the unit through a volunteer stewardship agreement.

Wildlife

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

Accessible Features

General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.

Apple Landing Road and Trail make up a 0.52-mile route in the northwestern portion of the forest that allows motorized access for people with mobility impairments. A permit is required through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities.

Directions

From Camden: Starting on Taberg Street, take a left onto Wolcott Street which turns into Wolcott Hill Road. Continue through the four-way intersection with Taberg-Florence Road onto Empeyville Road. Bear right at the T-intersection with Lee Road. Continue straight onto Sheehan Road, after about 1,000 feet take a left on Hanifin Road. Continue on Hanifin Road for 2.26 miles, then take a right onto 46th Road. After about 0.6 mile you will enter the state forest. There are no maintained parking areas on this property.

• Apple Landing trailhead (43.417020°N, 75.622405°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 Fall Brook 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, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding are all permitted on the property; however, there are no currently maintained trails for these activities.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the 46-Corners Unit Management Plan (UMP). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & 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.

History

Fall Brook State Forest is comprised of northern hardwoods, northern hardwood-hemlock, plantation, wetlands and ponds. The species that are commonly found in the northern hardwood stands are red maple, sugar maple, white ash, black cherry, red oak, beech, aspen, hemlock and red spruce. The plantations were planted in the late 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Species used were red pine, white pine, Scotch pine, Norway spruce, white spruce and larch. Common species that can be found today include red pine, white pine, Scotch pine, white spruce, European larch, Japanese larch and Dunkeld larch.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Big Brook State Forest
• Furnace Creek State Forest
• Point Rock State Forest
• Swancott Hill State Forest
• Swancott Mill State Forest
• West Branch State Forest
• Tri-County State Forest

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

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

Oneida County Tourism 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.