East Branch Fish Creek South Conservation Easement Tract

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• Open for recreation: Year-round, please see Specific Rules below for restrictions.
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 6 Lowville Office: (M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm), (315) 376-3521, information.r6@dec.ny.gov
  • Backcountry Emergency (Search, Rescue & Forest Fire): (518) 891-0235 (24 hours a day) or dial 911
  • State Land Law Enforcement: (315) 785-2263
  • Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Law Enforcement: (315) 785-2263
• Location: Towns of Lewis, Osceola, and West Turin; Lewis County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6N, 6K
• Map: East Branch Fish Creek South Conservation Easement Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator || Full Map (PDF)

The East Branch Fish Creek South (EBFCS) is private property with a conservation easement held by DEC on behalf of the people of New York State. The property contains approximately 22,200 acres of former Lyons Fall Pulp and Paper lands located within the Tug Hill Plateau area. The conservation easement grants DEC the right to allow public use of the lands for certain recreational purposes.

The conservation easement has signs posted to help the public determine what activities are allowed. See specific rules section for detailed restrictions. Please respect posted signs. Please contact the Lowville Sub-office, normal office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with any questions about activities on the property.

Featured Activities

Activities may be limited by Site Specific rules.

Hiking

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

The entire parcel is open for hiking. This includes roads and trails closed to public motorized traffic, the North Osceola Connecter Trail, Camp Two Rd, the section of Tin Shanty Rd west of the gate at New Mountain Rd, and Joe's Rd between Camp 5 Rd and Tin Shanty Rd.

Camping

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

There are two official campsites on EBFCS. Primitive camping is allowed, unless the area is posted as "Camping Prohibited." Camping locations need to be at least 150 feet from a water body, road or trail.

Mountain Biking

General information on mountain biking includes how-to and safety tips with links to rules & regulations.

Mountain biking is allowed on all roads that are open to public motorized use, west of the East Branch Fish of Creek State Forest. Additionally, the section of Joe's Road between Camp Five Road and Tin Shanty Road, and the section of Camp Two Road starting at the gate to Tin Shanty Road west of the gate at New Mountain Road are also open for mountain biking.

Fishing

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

Fishing is allowed on the property and the property contains parts of the East and West Branches of the Salmon River which contain trout. In addition there are some tributaries of the East Branch Fish Creek.

A fishing platform is located at the end of the Camp 5 Road on the East Fork of the Salmon River. The platform provides an opportunity for trout fishing and nature viewing within the core area of the Tug Hill Plateau.

Hunting & Trapping

General Information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations. Hunting & trapping are allowed on the East Branch Fish Creek West Area.

Snowmobiling

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

Snowmobiling is allowed only on designated snowmobile corridors and trails (C4F, C4A, C4K). The EBFCS easement features miles of snowmobiling trails and many connect to trails on neighboring properties, allowing for longer rides.

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing

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

The entire property is available for these uses. This includes roads and trails closed to public motorized traffic which can be used by cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The southern portion of the easement along the Osceola Road (County Route 46) which is a plowed, maintained road is more accessible for these uses. The northern access routes are on seasonal closed roads which are used as snowmobile trails during the winter season.

Horseback Riding

General information on horseback riding includes how-to and safety tips and rules & regulations. Coggins certificate is required for all horses and out-of-state horse owners are required to produce a 30-day health certificate.

Horseback riding is allowed on all roads that are open to public motorized use, west of the East Branch Fish Creek State Forest. In addition, the section of Joe's Road between Camp Five Road and Tin Shanty Road, and the section of Camp Two Road starting at the gate to Tin Shanty Road west of the gate at New Mountain Road are also open for horseback riding.

Wildlife

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

Species found in this area include hooded merganser, great blue heron, pileated woodpecker, beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, porcupine, fox, otter, whitetail deer, common snapping turtle, northern bullfrog, spotted salamander, red eft, and numerous others.

The best places to spot wildlife are on the easement trails, near streams, and from the fishing and viewing platform, located at the end of the Camp Five Road. There are numerous wetlands complexes on the property which provide additional locations to see wildlife.

Accessible Features

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

EBFCS features an accessible parking area and fishing and wildlife viewing platform, located at the end of the Camp 5 Road on the East Fork of the Salmon River. There is a two car parking area with a short accessible path which goes from the parking lot to the deck.

Directions

EBFCS has two entrances and one parking area for accessing the property. These roads are seasonal use roads, and are used as snowmobile trails during the winter.

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

• Camp Four Road Entrance provides access to the southern portion of the property. Access from Osceola Road in the Town of Lewis. From Osceola Road, head north on Gallo Road, then make left onto the first gravel road (43.467993°N, 75.597101°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Michigan Mills Extension Road Entrance provides access to the northern section of the property. Access from the Village of Constableville, following the Highmarket Road which becomes Michigan Mills Road (43.604020°N, 75.617496°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Parking Area

• Camp Five Road Parking Area is located at the intersection of Camp Four Road and Camp Five Road. (43.507305°N, 75.604479°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

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 user conflicts.

All users of EBFCS 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

• Public motor vehicle use is only on designated routes which have been signed for use.
• Snowmobile use is only on designated routes or trails which have been signed for use.
• There is no public use of ATV's on the property.
• The public is excluded at all times from specifically posted zones, 5 acres in size, surrounding the leased camps on the property. Please respect posted signs.
• The public can be excluded from designated zones closed for logging.
• The trail to the southern section of East Branch Fish Creek Conservation Easement is foot traffic only.

Planning and Management

DEC manages public recreation on these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the East Branch Fish Creek Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plan (PDF).

The recreation management plan was amended in 2016 (PDF) to allow additional public access opportunities on the unit by creating a 20 mile foot/ski trail.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands & Facilities

• East Branch Fish Creek North Conservation Easement Tract
• East Branch Fish Creek State Forest
• East Osceola State Forest
• Grant Powell State Forest
• Lesser Wilderness State Forest
• Sears Pond State Forest
• Tug Hill State Wildlife Management Area
• Whetstone Gulf State Park (leaves DEC website)

Where to find amenities

• Gas, food, other supplies, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Lowville, Constableville and Osceola.

Adirondack Tug Hill Region Tourism (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guide books 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.