Andersen 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: Town of Richford, Tioga County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 7R
- Map: Andersen Hill State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Andersen Hill State Forest encompasses 554 acres of forested land. Rustic and undeveloped, Andersen Hill is great for activities such as hunting, trapping, fishing, and snowmobiling.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Big Pine public forest access road provides 1.6 miles of seasonal access through the forest. Hiking is also allowed anywhere on the property unless posted otherwise.
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 any water, road or trail. 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.
A cooperative fishing access site developed by DEC and the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District provides excellent public access to the West Branch of Owego Creek. The public fishing access site is located on the west side of West Creek Road, about 0.4 mile south of NY Route 79. DEC staff stock the West Branch with 2,250 brown trout annually.
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.
The forest has a marked snowmobile trail about 0.5 miles in length that is maintained by a partner. The trail connects to a larger trail network.
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
While there are no formal trails on Andersen Hill State Forest, hiking is permitted anywhere on this property where not prohibited by sign.
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 anywhere on the forest where not prohibited by sign.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Andersen Hill State Forest provides excellent habitats for many different species of plants and animals. Birds, amphibians, and mammals such as the Acadian flycatcher, American woodcock, cerulean warbler, scarlet tanager, turkey, northern saw-whet owl, wood thrush, ruffed grouse, spotted salamander, grey tree frog, white tailed deer, gray squirrel, red squirrel, chipmunk and little brown bat call the forest home. Ferns, wildflowers, club mosses, fungi and a new generation of trees grow in patches of light on the forest floor, while song birds and raptors fly in the sky above.
Directions
From Richford, New York: Take NY 38 south for about 3/4 of a mile to Andersen Hill Road. Make a right turn and head west on Andersen Hill Rd. for about 1.8 miles; the Andersen Hill State Forest public access road will be on your right.
From Ithaca, New York: Take NY 79 east toward the Tioga County hamlet of Richford for about 15 miles, then turn south on West Creek Road for 2/10 of mile and make a left turn onto Andersen Hill Road. Follow Andersen Hill Road for 1.5 miles. Andersen Hill State Forest public access road will be on your left.
- Andersen Hill State Forest public access road: (42.34474°N, 76.22114°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 Anderson 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 Tri-County Uplands Unit Management Plan (PDF) with Tri-County UMP Maps (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 R7Forestry@dec.ny.gov.
History
Cleared for pasture and cropland by European settlers and Revolutionary War Veterans, the land that is now Andersen Hill State Forest offered limited reward for most farming attempts. The upland soils of the Allegheny Plateau are characteristically thin, steep and acidic. When combined with harsh winters and short growing seasons, the land proved unproductive. High elevation farms were abandoned, as settlement was attempted elsewhere.
The State Reforestation Law of 1929 and the Hewitt Amendment of 1931 set forth new legislation that authorized the Conservation Department to acquire land, by gift or purchase, for reforestation areas. These State Forests, consisting of not less than 500 acres of contiguous land, were to be "forever devoted to reforestation and the establishment and maintenance thereon of forests for watershed protection, the production of timber and other forest products, recreation and kindred purposes" (Article 9, Title 5, Environmental Conservation Law).
The majority of Andersen Hill State Forest was purchased under this program between 1938 and 1942, with three smaller additions being made in 1962, 1975 and 2009. According to DEC records, the Slaterville Springs Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-125 hand planted more than 61,000 tree seedlings between 1939 and 1940. In 1954 and 1963, New York State Conservation Department employees planted an additional 111,000 seedlings using a tractor and spade. In total, approximately 85% of the tree seedlings were softwood species, with Norway spruce, red pine and white spruce representing more than 60% of the seedlings planted.
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 Dryden and Ithaca.
Tioga 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.
