Bare Hill Unique Area
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact information:
- DEC Region 8 Bath Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM), (607) 622-8282; region8@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 Gorham, Ontario County and Town of Middlesex, Yates County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 8N
- Map links: Bare Hill Unique Area Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
On the 393-acre Bare Hill Unique Area property, there is an annual Labor Day ceremonial lighting of a bonfire to start the "Ring of Fire" or "The Festival of Lights" in which landowners around the perimeter of Canandaigua Lake light fires in celebration of peace and bountiful harvests. Middlesex Heritage Group coordinates the bonfire on Bare Hill Unique Area.
It has two separate parcels, the southern one covers approximately 298 acres in the town of Middlesex in Yates County and the northern one covers approximately 95 acres in the town of Gorham in Ontario County.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Bare Hill Unique Area has no designated recreation trails, however the two administrative access roads are available for non-motorized exploring.
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.
Hunting & Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping including how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Bare Hill Unique Area is open to hunting and trapping during appropriate seasons.
View from Bare Hill
Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
General information on cross-county skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Bare Hill Unique Area is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, but there are no designated or maintained cross-country ski trails. 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.
New York's Finger Lakes encompasses a wide variety of habitats and landscapes made up of mountainous hills, forests, grasslands and wetlands. Everything from black bear to black-throated blue warblers and brook trout to wild turkey call the Finger Lakes area home. The grasslands are home to a variety of bird species including northern harrier and state endangered Henslow's sparrow. White-tailed deer and fisher thrive in the forested hills, while beaver and mink flourish in the wetlands.
Outdoorsmen and women from across New York State flock to this area year round for its exquisite wildlife watching and unbeatable hunting.
Directions
From Naples, take 245 north to Middlesex. Turn left onto north 364, then left onto County Route 10/North Vine Valley Road. Then take a right onto Bare Hill Road, followed by a left onto Van Epps Road. To reach the northern parcel, continue on County Route 10/North Vine Valley Road to County Route 39/East Lake Road. That turns into County Route 11 at the County Line.
From Canandaigua, take 364 south to a right onto County Route 10/North Vine Valley Road. Then take a right onto Bare Hill Road and a left onto Van Epps Road. To reach the northern parcel, take 364 south to County Route 11/East Lake Rd.
Bare Hill Unique Area features 1 parking area with space for 3 vehicles.
- Van Epps Road Parking Lot is located on Van Epps Road, 0.3 miles west of its intersection with Bare Hill Road. (42.746725°N, 77.3026°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 Bare Hill Unique Area 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.
Site specific rules for Bare Hill Unique Area:
- No searching for historical or archeological artifacts.
- Be extremely careful with fire - grass burns very easily and quickly.
Planning and Management
DEC has developed a Draft Northern Finger Lakes Unit Management Plan (PDF) which describes the proposed management activities for these lands. 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 r8.ump@dec.ny.gov.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Italy Hill State Forest
- Skenoh Island Wildlife Management Area
- Stid Hill Multiple Use Area
- High Tor Wildlife Management Area
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Food, supplies, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Vine Valley, Middlesex, Naples, Penn Yan and Canandaigua.
Yates County Chamber of Commerce (leaves DEC website), Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance (leaves DEC website) and Ontario County Finger Lakes Visitors Connection (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.
