Chautauqua Gorge State Forest
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 9 Dunkirk Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), (716) 363-2052; region9@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 Chautauqua, Chautauqua County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 9J
- Map: Chautauqua Gorge State Forest Map (Geo-PDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Chautauqua Gorge Campsite & Day Use Area Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The 538-acre Chautauqua Gorge State Forest provides opportunities for informal outdoor recreation such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, fishing, and hunting. This state forest also offers a day use area with picnic tables and fire rings, out house facilities, and a public parking area in the summer months.
This property is part of the Chautauqua Gorge watershed area, and part of the reason for the property's purchase is for watershed protection. The northern portion of the property borders the Chautauqua Gorge itself. The State owns very little of the creek bed and the public should be aware they are trespassing if they use the creek bed beyond this point.
Featured Activities
Day Use Area
On Hannum Road there is a day use area for picnicking that has pavilions, picnic tables, fire rings and a walking trail. An accessible ¼-mile loop trail circles around a larch and spruce plantation. The trail is made of crushed stone and is accessible to people of all abilities. This trail can be used for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. There is one pavilion with a fire ring that meets accessibility standards.
There is one accessible port-a-john facility on site in the day use area that's in place during peak season in the summer months only. Camping is not permitted in the day use area and may only be done elsewhere on the unit - see Camping section below. This is a carry-in carry-out facility. Please take all garbage with you when you leave the day use facilities.
Fires are allowed in the designated fire rings only. All fire rings in the day use area are equipped with a hinged cooking grate for grilling. Only dead or downed wood can be used. Please do not transport fire wood in to the area due to the recent outbreak of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle in New York State. New York State is implementing a plan to address the EAB. Obeying the firewood transport regulations will help prevent the spread of this devastating beetle.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There are 8 designated camp sites on Hannum Road adjacent to the day use area. Seven of the sites are primitive tent sites with a rock fire ring. Site #8 is upgraded with a picnic shelter and steel fire ring as well as a gravel parking area. The sites are designated with a yellow camp disk - see picture at right. All camp sites are first come, first serve. See the Camp Map (PDF) for general site locations.
Primitive camping is also allowed throughout the unit, except in the day use area. 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.
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
The day use area has an accessible ¼-mile loop trail that leads around a larch/spruce plantation planted by the CCC. The trail is easy to walk and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. There are two stopping areas to observe scenery along the trail. In the fall when the leaves become sparse, a view of the gorge can be seen.
The end of Hannum Road is the beginning of the Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail (leaves DEC website) that crosses through public and private land within Chautauqua County. Only non-motorized recreation is allowed on the trail. The trail can also be found on the state forest map link above. This trail allows hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing only. There is a 1.5 mile loop along the trail, or you can use teh bypass trail to traverse through to the Chautauqua County Rail Trail on the eastern boundary of the property.
Coordinators of organized trail events need to obtain a Temporary Revocable Permit for use of the trails prior to the event. These can be obtained at the Dunkirk Office at (716) 363-2052.
Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing
General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
The Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail can be used for skiing and snowshoeing. In the winter, access to this trail is only from Summerdale Road as Hannum Road is not plowed. However, you can park near the snowplow turn around and access the trail by walking down Hannum Road about 1/2 mile to the trailhead.
Biking
General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Biking is allowed on the Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail and on all forest access roads.
Hunting and 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 on the property. Please be sure to abide by all game laws.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Chautauqua Creek borders the northern part of the state forest for about one mile and Public Fishing Areas are available on the creek for wild brown trout and for steelhead (rainbow trout), which make seasonal runs up the creek from Lake Erie. For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) information, visit DECinfo Locator - Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map.)
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 abundance of different habitat types created by forestry management practices make this forest an ideal area for various wildlife sightings. Numerous wildlife species can be found here, including white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, raccoon, and turkey. There are also occasional fox, mink and bear sightings. A variety of songbirds can be found, especially near heavily harvested areas where there is thick seedling-sapling cover.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
Improvements to picnic facilities and construction of a new trail in 2009 have enhanced recreational opportunities and improved access for people of all abilities at the day use area. Improvements include picnic shelters renovated with new metal flashing, new green metal picnic tables, new fire rings, crushed stone around each shelter and better drainage. Also, there is one port-a- john that is accessible in the day use area adjacent to the accessible parking.
The area also features a new picnic shelter complete with a fire ring, picnic table, and trash bin, and two parking spaces - all of which are accessible.
In addition to picnic facility improvements, DEC constructed an accessible ¼-mile loop trail made of crushed stone. The trail head is located at the picnic area and can be used for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Directions
From Mayville, take Route 430 west and turn right on Hannum Road. Continue to the end of the road to the parking area and day use area. The road will turn into a dirt road eventually.
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
- Parking area and trailhead for Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail (42.239951°N, 79.585262°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Parking area for day use area with accessible spaces (42.239986°N, 79.587203°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace Pinciples (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 Chautauqua Gorge 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 Chautauqua 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 r9.ump@dec.ny.gov.
Timber Management
Conifer and hardwood timber management is practiced at Chautauqua Gorge State Forest. The conifer stands of pine and spruce were planted in old farm fields as they need open areas with direct sunlight to thrive. They are usually managed by a series of partial harvest thinning, which have created openings for sunlight to encourage natural regeneration of native hardwoods. The removal of the conifer overstory in the final harvest allows the hardwood seedlings to grow to maturity.
Hardwood trees are not usually planted as they spread vast amounts of seed and regenerate naturally. Periodic thinning of the forest through the sale of forest products gives the residual trees adequate growing space. This practice helps to keep the forest healthy and provides openings for new seedlings, a revolving supply of food and cover for wildlife, and source of future crop trees. Some hardwood stands contain large trees, giving an illusion of old growth. These stands were actually harvested prior to state ownership.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas, food and other supplies as well as dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Sherman, Mayville and Westfield.
- Lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Mayville and Westfield.
Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guide books 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.
