Cuyler Hill 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: Towns of Cuyler and Taylor, Cortland and Chenango Counties
- Wildlife Management Unit: 7M
- Map: Cuyler Hill State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Cuyler Hill State Forest encompasses 5,507 acres and is located on the northeastern border of Cortland and Chenango Counties. It is a popular area for hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, bird watching, and nature viewing.
Cuyler Hill contains a wide variety of forest cover types, including northern hardwood, northern hardwood-hemlock, European and Japanese larch, Norway spruce, red pine, white cedar, and white spruce. A section of the forest was established as a natural area in 1969 by Regional Forester Al Roberts to preserve the natural landscape. Cuyler Hill Natural Area now covers approximately 20 acres and will forever remain an area where no trees will be cut.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Cuyler Hill State Forest has 8.5 miles of the Finger Lakes Hiking Trail (leaves DEC website), part of which runs through the 20-acre Cuyler Hill Natural Area.
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 regulations.
There are 15 clear freshwater streams that wind graciously through the trees and total 7 miles in length. Brook trout abound in most of them. Some of the streams include Bundy Creek, Union Valley Creek, and Wells Creek, which are a part of the east branch of the Tioughnioga River and Ostelic River watersheds.
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.
Snowmobiling
General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Approximately 12.5 miles of New York State Corridor Trails 5C and 7A trails cross the forest and provide snowmobile access between DeRuyter and Pitcher. The trails follow both town roads and public forest access roads.
Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
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 elevation of the forest ranges from 1,245 to 2,080 feet, and is a fantastic place to see ruffed grouse, rabbits, white tail deer, song birds, and a wide variety of small mammals.
Directions
Cuyler Hill State Forest may be accessed by taking NY Route 13 to Cheningo Road. Follow Cheningo Road South about 4.7 miles, then turn left (east) on to Cheningo Solon Pond Road. Head east about 3.6 miles until Cuyler Hill Road and turn left (northeast). Travel northeast about 1.2 miles and turn east onto Randell Hill Road. Follow Randell Hill about 2.2 miles until you reach the Cuyler Hill Public Forest Access Road, which runs the entirety of the forest in a north-south direction. Parking is available but limited from the shoulder of the road.
- Parking: (42.667746°N, 75.904638°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 Cuyler Hill 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.
Planning and Management
DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Cuyler Hill Unit Management Plan. 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 R7Forestry@dec.ny.gov.
History
New York State purchased most of the land that is now called Cuyler State Forest between 1933 and 1965, with another addition purchased in 1991. During the 1930s, programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) initiated by the Roosevelt Administration attempted to create new jobs and counteract the effects of the Depression. The CCC worked diligently on a massive tree planting campaign to combat serious soil erosion that resulted from poor agricultural practices in the past. CCC Camp S-118 was established in Truxton and planted more than 1,488,500 trees in Cuyler Hill State Forest. In addition, the DeRuyter CCC Camp S-103 planted more than 1,001,200 trees, and the Conservation Department (now DEC) added another 542,500 tree saplings. A total of just over 3 million trees were planted in the forest between 1936 and 1979. As a result of the hard work of hundreds of young men, the forest now provides diverse ecological, economic, and recreational services to residents and visitors of New York.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Lincklaen State Forest
- Taylor Valley State Forest
- Dog Hollow State Forest
- Maxon Creek State Forest
- Bucks Brook State Forest
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
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Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby community of Cortland.
Cortland County Tourism Office (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.
