Maxon Creek 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 Cuyler, Cortland County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 7M
- Map: Maxon Creek State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Maxon Creek State Forest, sometimes referred to as Pease Hill, encompasses 905 acres. The forest is home to four small streams, which together total 2.4 miles in length and are a part of the east branch of the Tioughnioga River watershed.
A variety of different forest cover types envelop the land, including northern hardwoods, northern hardwood-hemlock, Japanese larch, Norway spruce, red pine, and white cedar. Within this secluded forest setting, one can find a diverse collection of wildlife and plant species.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
About 1.8 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail system (leaves DEC website) crosses the northeast portion of this property.
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.
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.
A 2-mile portion of state corridor trail 5E (leaves DEC website), which is managed by NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and maintained by volunteers from the Trail Hounds Snowmobile Club, traverses the northern section of the forest from Pardee Road to Midlum Road (see below for directions).
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 trails and anywhere on the property not otherwise marked as prohibited.
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
Maxon Creek State Forest may be accessed by taking NY Route 13 to Crains Mills Road. Head south about 0.4 miles until Pease Hill Road. Travel southeast on Pease Hill Road for about one mile into Maxon Creek State Forest, then proceed about 0.6 miles further to the Maxon Creek Public Forest Access Road; this is a dead end road that runs westward for one mile. Limited parking is available on the shoulder of the road.
- Intersection of Pease Hill Road and the public forest access road (42.7077913,-75.9538109) 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 Maxon Creek 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 (UMP). 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 land where Maxon Creek State Forest is located was originally cleared and farmed by European settlers and Revolutionary War Veterans. However, the upland soils of the Allegheny Plateau are thin, relatively steep, and acidic. As such, the ground is not fit for intensive farming. When combined with harsh winters and a short growing season, it is easy to understand why farmers abandoned these lands in pursuit of greener pastures in the Midwest. Most of the land was purchased by the State for reforestation between 1933 and 1963, with an additional purchase made in 1974.
The Truxton Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-118 hand planted over 222,350 trees in the area between 1936 and 1941. An additional 295,800 trees were planted by the DeRuyter CCC in 1935, and the Conservation Department (now DEC) planted more than 18,000 trees in 1962. The planting of trees under the State Reforestation Act and Hewitt Amendment provided new jobs for hundreds of young men, and the future forests would yield products and services that would benefit both wildlife and society for generations to come.
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 and Cazenovia.
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.
