Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region Stamford Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM), (607) 652-7365; r4.ump@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 Blenheim, Fulton, Jefferson, Summit; Schoharie County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 4G
- Map: Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest Map (PDF) || Looking Glass Pond Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest consists of 10,568 acres, which are managed for multiple uses including timber production, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and recreation. A recreation area located along Looking Glass Pond in the northern portion of the property contains an accessible picnic area, fishing piers, a couple of viewing platforms, and a boat dock. There are also six primitive campsites and a lean-to scattered across the property. A section of the Long Path passes through the state forest as well.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
The Long Path (leaves DEC website) is a 358-mile hiking trail that starts at the 175th Street Subway Station in NYC and ends at John Boyd Thacher State Park (leaves DEC website) near Albany, NY. Approximately 7.1 miles of the Long Path Hiking Trail traverses Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest. The trail is maintained by the Long Path North Hiking Club (leaves DEC website) through a volunteer stewardship agreement.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
At-large 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.
There are six primitive campsites and a lean-to in Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest that provide camping opportunities. They are availble on a first come, first-served basis. For specific locations of these sites, please see the coordinates listed under Directions.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There is a hand launch on Looking Glass Pond.
Biking
General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Mountain biking is permitted on the multi-purpose Looking Glass Pond Trail, which provides an easy ride around the pond. Mountain biking is also permitted on the public forest access roads that cross the forest.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
There are sport fishing opportunities on Looking Glass Pond as well as on Betty Brook, Cole Hollow, Panther Creek, and West Kill.
There are 2 accessible fishing piers located on Looking Glass Pond. Looking Glass Pond is a warm water fishery supporting species like golden shiner, brown bullhead and largemouth bass.
For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on Panther Creek, 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).
East-Central NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.
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.
There are several miles of snowmobile trails that crisscross the property. The trails continue onto the NYS Snowmobile Trail network as they leave the property.
The S73, S73A and S75 secondary trails pass through Mallet Pond State Forest. The snowmobile trails are maintained by local snowmobile clubs, the Summit Sno Riders, Inc. (leaves DEC website) and the West Fulton Snowmobile Club, Inc. through volunteer stewardship agreements.
Wildlife Viewing
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
There are 2 observation decks located on the Looking Glass Pond Trail.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest contains an accessible picnic area (with 2 picnic tables and a grill and 2 accessible fishing piers), all located on Looking Glass Pond.
The State Forest also contains 2 accessible trails, both located around Looking Glass Pond. One trail is 0.4 miles long and winds its way through the forest on the northwest side of the pond. The other trail is 0.1 mile on the eastern side of the pond and leads to an accessible observation deck located on the eastern side of the pond.
An accessible path at Looking Glass Pond
Directions:
From points North: Take St. Hwy. 30 South of Fultonham. Make a right onto West Fulton Road (sign at that junction shows Looking Glass Pond). Follow West Fulton Road to Rossman Hill Road. Make a left onto Rossman Hill Road and follow to Looking Glass Pond.
From points South: Take St. Hwy. 30 North of Blenheim. Make a left onto West Fulton Road and proceed as above.
Parking Areas:
- Looking Glass Pond parking area, 8 vehicle capacity (42.551403°N, 74.4937515°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Western West Kill Rd (County Route 43) parking area, 8 vehicle capacity (42.4889908°N, 74.5099716°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Eastern West Kill Road (County Route 43) parking area, 3 vehicle capacity (42.4850464°N, 74.4839706°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Sawyer Hollow Road (County Route 20) parking area, 6 vehicle capacity (42.5717659°N, 74.5233688°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- North Road (County Road 2) parking area, 2 vehicle capacity (42.4729958 °N, 74.4957047°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Eminence Road parking area, 4 vehicle capacity (42.5208931°N, 74.5247345°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Yankee Street parking area, 4 vehicle capacity (42.541523°N, 74.5515366°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Rossman Hill Road parking area, 2 vehicle capacity (42.5515327°N, 74.4983749°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Morey Road parking area, 2 vehicle capacity (42.5486794°N, 74.4910355°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Eminence Lean-to and primitive campsite (42.5433044°N, 74.4885941°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Panther Creek primitive campsite (42.5708008°N, 74.5222092°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Betty Brook primitive campsite (42.5282059 °N, 74.5141449°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Duck Pond primitive campsite (42.5101662°N, 74.4835663°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Cole Hollow Stream primitive campsite (42.5173798°N, 74.4783325°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Westkill primitive campsite (42.4891205°N, 74.5093765°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 Burnt-Rossman Hills 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.
Specific Rules
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.
Planning and Management
DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Eminence State Forest 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 us r4.ump@dec.ny.gov.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Mallet Pond State Forest
- Patria State Forest
- Petersburg State Forest
- Lutheranville State Forest
- Clapper Hollow State Forest
- Blenheim Hill State Forest
- Max V. Shaul State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Mine Kill State Park (leaves DEC website)
Where to Find Amenities
- Gas may be found in the nearby communities of Grand Gorge, Jefferson, Middleburgh, Richmondville.
- Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Breakabeen, Grand Gorge, Jefferson, Middleburgh, Richmondville, and Summit.
- Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Grand Gorge, Jefferson, Middleburgh, Richmondville, and Summit.
- Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Cobleskill and Richmondville.
Schoharie County Tourism 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.
