Partridge Run State Forest

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• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 4 Schenectady Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM), (518) 357-2155; 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: Town of Berne, Albany County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 4H
• Map: Partridge Run State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 935-acre Partridge Run State Forest is part of a complex of lands that also includes Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area. Partridge Run State Forest and the neighboring Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area offer a number of recreational opportunities to the public. The New York-New Jersey Long Path extends 358 miles from the 175th Street Subway Station in New York City to John Boyd Thacher State Park in Altamont, New York and travels through this property. The state forest is 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 & regulations.

Together, Partridge Run State Forest and Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area contain a combined 48 miles of hiking trails. The most notable trail on the property is the New York - New Jersey Long Path (leaves DEC website), which runs across the length of the area, enters the forest from Bradt Hollow Road and exits at Gifford Hollow Road (or vice versa). This trail is marked with green.

Camping

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

There are no designated campsites; however, 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. Note: Camping is not allowed on nearby Partridge Run WMA, please respect the different regulations for each property.

Fishing

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

There are many opportunities for fishing between the state forest and the WMA. Of the 14 streams, only one unnamed stream about 0.7-mile long supports a sparse population of wild brown trout. The remaining 13 streams totaling 11.5 miles are either dry, intermittent, or too small to support a sport fishery. There are also a number of small ponds and lakes across the complex that support warm-water fisheries.

East-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: 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 permitted on this property in accordance with all game regulations, unless otherwise posted. Two ponds (Becker Pond and Woods Pond) are periodically drained to benefit waterfowl habitat.

Snowmobiling

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

The Partridge Run complex of lands contains about 21 miles of snowmobile trails, about four miles of which cross Partridge Run State Forest. These four miles are along the section of the Long Path which crosses Partridge Run State Forest and down Cook Hill Access Road. The snowmobile trails are maintained by the Middleburgh Ridge Runners through a volunteer stewardship agreement.

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing

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

There is a ski trail which passes through the northernmost portion of Partridge Run State Forest. This trail passes by parking areas on Beaver Rd, High Point Rd, and Bradt Hollow Rd. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking 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.

The state forest, Partridge Run WMA, Knox (Burke) WMA, and Cole Hill State Forest make up the 6,594-acre Helderberg Bird Conservation Area. The New York Bird Conservation Area (BCA) Program was established in 1997 to safeguard and enhance bird populations and their habitats on state lands and waters. The BCA Program integrates bird conservation interests into agency planning, management and research projects. The diverse cover types including hardwood and conifer (plantation) forests, young regenerating forests, old fields, shrublands, reverting farmland, wooded swamp, shrub wetlands, and numerous ponds and wetlands. Some of the species of interest include American woodcock, ruffed grouse, brown thrasher, eastern towhee, prairie warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, Nashville warbler, blue-winged warbler, as well as a wide variety of forest warblers and songbirds, and winter finches. Woodland raptors include northern goshawk (special concern).

The Helderbergs are in the northeastern corner of the Central Appalachian ecozone. In addition to the notable game species and furbearers found within area, whitetail deer, a variety of both songbirds and birds of prey frequent the property, as well as the occasional black bear.

Accessible Features

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

There are 3.26 miles of routes that traverse the property and allows motorized access for people with mobility impairments. A permit is required through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities.

Directions

From Rensselaerville: Head southwest on Route 353 for 1.19 miles. Then turn right on to Bryan Road and follow it to the intersection with Pond Hill Road (1.35 miles). Make a left and then a quick right onto Wood Road. Follow Wood Road to the end at 1.82 miles and turn left onto Peasley Road. Continue on Peasley Road for 1.09 miles, then right onto Shultes Road. After 1 mile, take a left onto Cook Road and the state forest will be on either side of the road.

• Bradt Hollow parking area, approximately .5 mile east of Cook Hill Rd. intersection (42.56014234°N, 74.19017059°W), Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Bradt Hollow Rd parking area, roughly 1 mile north of Cook Hill Rd. intersection (42.56771501°N, 74.20350116°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Cook Hill Rd. parking area, (42.56167282°N, 74.20618732°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 Partridge Run 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 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 Helderbergs Management Area 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 r4.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Cole Hill State Forest
• Rensselaerville State Forest
• Dutton Ridge State Forest
• Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area
• Thacher State Park (leaves DEC website)
• Thompson's Lake Campground - Thacher State Park (leaves DEC website)

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Lodging and dining opportunities as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Altamont, Voorheesville and Slingerlands.

Albany 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.