Titusville Mountain State Forest

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• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
• • DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM), (518) 897-1200; 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 Bellmont and Malone, Franklin County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 5C
• Map: Titusville Mountain State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Titusville Mountain State Forest is a 7,566-acre property and was created for the purpose of reforestation, wildlife management, timber production, recreation and watershed protection. This unit contains excellent recreation opportunities with hikes leading to mountain vistas, waterfalls and marshy wetlands. The Salmon River offers great access to fishing and paddling.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

Elephants Head Trail- The Elephant's Head Trail is a 0.8-mile foot trail extending from the end of Alan Road to the summit of Elephant's Head. The trail has an elevation gain of 320 feet. Infrastructure on the trail includes one wooden staircase on a steeper section near the summit.

The Ledges Trail- The Ledges Trail is a 0.6-mile foot trail extending from a parking area 0.4 mile up Lee Road to a maintained vista on the side of Titus Mountain at an elevation of 2,120 feet. The trail has a total elevation gain of 700 feet. Looking to the south offers views of the northern Adirondack region, including Whiteface Mountain on clear days. Additional vistas located west of the trail's end provide even greater views with wider perspectives.

The High Falls Trail- The High Falls Trail is a light to moderately-traveled foot trail running 0.75 mile from Barnesville Road to the High Falls Waterfall on the Salmon River.

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.

Fishing

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

The Salmon River provides excellent fishing opportunities for many cold water species and is stocked with both brown and rainbow trout. Hatch Brook also provides ideal fishing for brown trout, which are stocked, and a naturally sustaining population of brook trout.

For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the Salmon River and Hatch Brook, 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: 5C

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

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing

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

Huckleberry Marsh - The wild beauty of this massive wetland complex is best experienced in winter by skiing or snowshoeing the Huckleberry Marsh Trail. Portions of the marsh may also be viewed during the warm season by paddling the Hatch Brook and Salmon River.

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

From Malone: Head south on State Route 30 for 10 miles and elephants head road and parking area will be on the left. Or after 7.68 miles on State Route 30 take a left on to Fayette Rd. and proceed 3.73 miles, then take a right onto Studley Hill Road. After 1.75 miles the state forest will be on both sides of the road.

• End of Elephant's Head Rd. parking lot (44.70561076°N, 74.28351008°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Beginning of Elephant's Head Rd. parking lot (44.71238523°N, 74.30709462°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 Titusville Mountain 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 and horseback riding are all permitted on the property; however, there are currently no maintained trails for these activities.

Planning and Management

DEC has developed a Draft Northern Franklin Unit Management Plan (UMP) which describes the proposed management activities for this 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 r5.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Chazy Highlands Wild Forest
• Debar Mountain Wild Forest
• Deer River State Forest
• Sable Highlands Conservation Easement
• Santa Clara Tract Conservation Easement

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, lodging, food, dining opportunities and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Malone.

Franklin County Tourism (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.