Bear Swamp State Forest
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 7 Cortland Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (607) 753-3095; R7Forestry@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 Sempronius, Cayuga County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 7J
- Map: Bear Swamp State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Bear Swamp State Forest covers 3,539 acres. A large wetland and creek bisect the forest and provide excellent opportunities for those who love to paddle.
Bear Swamp also offers a 14.3-mile multiple use trail system. All trails are designated by color and are marked with circular DEC trail marker signs (see map above and descriptions below). The trails have been designed to offer family-based cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Trails serve beginners and intermediate users. There are 12.5 miles of snowmobile trails on Bear Swamp State Forest, which include 2.5 miles of corridor trail and the 10-mile Bear Swamp/Ridge Road loop trail.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to, safety tips, and links to rules and regulations.
The property offers 3 main hiking loops: the blue, red and yellow trails. See descriptions below.
- The blue trail is 4.3 miles long and crosses the northern section of the property.
- The red trail is 3.6 miles long and traverses the western portion of the property.
- The yellow trail is 6.4 miles long and follows the eastern and southeastern areas of the property.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to, safety tips, and links to rules and regulations.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to, 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 10 or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.
Biking
General information on biking includes how-to, safety tips, and links to rules and regulations.
Multiple trails on Bear Swamp State Forest allow for mountain biking.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Fishing information for Central NY is available.
Hunting & Trapping
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 allowed during appropriate seasons.
Snowmobiling
General information on snowmobiling includes how-to, safety tips, and links to rules and regulations.
There are 12.5 miles of snowmobile trails on Bear Swamp State Forest, which include 2.5 miles of corridor trail and the 10-mile Bear Swamp/Ridge Road loop trail.
Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to, safety tips, and links to rules and regulations.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all multiple-use trails.
Red Trails, 3.8 miles - West Entry
The trails start on the flat land off of Route 41A, loop downhill to Bear Swamp Creek and then climb uphill back to the trail register on Harnett Road. Trail sections and their lengths are: Red 1 - 1.4 miles, Red 2 - 0.8 mile, Red 4 - 0.4 mile, Red 5 - 0.5 mile, and Red 6 - 0.4 mile. Snowmobiling is allowed on part of Red 1 and on Red 3 and 6.
Yellow Trails, 6.4 miles - South Entry
The Yellow Trails offer both the ease of traveling on level ground and the challenge of hill climbing. Trail sections and their lengths are: Yellow 1 - 1.3 miles, Yellow 2 - 0.8 mile, Yellow 3 - 0.7 mile, Yellow 4 - 0.2 mile, Yellow 5 - 0.3 mile, Yellow 6 - 1.7 miles, Yellow 7 - 0.2 mile, Yellow 8 - 0.2 mile, and Yellow 9 - 1 mile.
Blue Trails, 4.1 miles - North Entry
From the parking lot on the Curtin Road, you can ski cross-country over 1,200 acres of state forest on unmarked trails. DEC plans to keep this area undeveloped for winter recreation. The marked Blue Trail goes south from the parking lot and joins the Bear Swamp Road. The trails offer a contrast between easy travel on the lower parts of the trails and tougher uphill climbs to higher parts of the forest. Blue trails can be accessed from the Curtin Road parking lot. Blue 5 is a 0.2 mile dead-end trail that offers a spectacular view of Bear Swamp. Alongside trail Blue 2 is the high point in Cayuga County at an elevation above 1,860 feet. Trail sections and their lengths are: Blue 1 - 1 mile, Blue 2 - 0.8 miles, Blue 3 - 0.5 miles, Blue 4 - 0.2 miles, Blue 5 - 0.2 miles, Blue 6 - 0.4 miles & Blue 7 - 0.7 miles. Snowmobiling is allowed on part of trail Blue 1.
Horseback Riding
General information on horseback riding includes how-to, safety tips, and links to rules and regulations.
Multiple-use trails allow for horseback riding. Proof of current negative Coggins certificate is required for all horses and out-of-state horse owners are required to produce a 30-day health certificate.
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
Bear Swamp State Forest has 3 parking areas:
- The west entrance is just off Route 41A and Hartnett Road, and behind the Colonial Lodge. This parking lot provides access to 3.8 miles of red multiple-use trails. (42.749104°N, 76.318144°W) Google Maps (link leaves DEC website)
- The south parking lot is about 0.25 miles north along the Bear Swamp Road from its intersection with the Iowa Road. Approximately 6.4 miles of the yellow multiple-use trails branch out north of the parking lot. (42.73665°N, 76.285011°W) Google Maps (link leaves DEC website)
- The north parking lot is at the end of the Curtin Road, about 1.5 miles from Route 41A. From there, a trail leads south along the Bear Swamp Road and connects the blue multiple-use trails, totaling 4.1 miles in length. (42.763126°N, 76.306093°W) Google Maps (link leaves DEC website)
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace Principles (link leaves DEC website) principles 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 Bear Swamp State Forest must follow all State Land Use Regulations (leaves DEC website) and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Planning and Management
DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Hewitt-Cayuga Highlands Unit Management Plan (PDF, Part 1) (PDF, Part 2, 7MB). 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 R7Forestry@dec.ny.gov.
History
The peak of farm settlement was around the Civil War era, and slowly declined until the Great Depression of 1929, which hastened farm abandonment. Most of the State Forest was abandoned farmland bought in the 1930s. The large amount of open land was planted with coniferous trees - red pine, Norway spruce, and larch. Thus the term "reforestation lands" was aptly applied to these state forests.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Cortland, Homer, Moravia and Skaneateles.
Cayuga 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 online 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 online for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (link leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
