English Hill State Forest
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 9 Almond Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), (585) 466-3241; 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: Towns of Granger and Grove, Allegany County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 9P
- Map: English Hill State Forest Map || English Hill State Forest Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The 1,395-acre English Hill State Forest contains a mixture of native hardwood species and planted conifers. There are no designated trails but hiking is allowed throughout the property.
About one quarter of the acreage was cleared for agriculture in the early 1800s, but by the 1930s most of the fields had been abandoned. The earliest aerial photos of the area, from 1938, indicate that several fields were abandoned much earlier, possibly before 1900.
Featured Activities
Flowers decorate the forest floor
at English Hill State Forest
Hunting & 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 during appropriate seasons. The area is a popular destination for both small game and big game hunting. Be sure to abide by all game laws.
Snowmobiling
General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
New York State Snowmobile Corridor Trail S34B passes through English Hill State Forest. More information can be found on the website of the New York State Snowmobile Association (leaves DEC website).
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There are no designated campsites; however, 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.
Directions
From Fillmore, take Route 4 heading east, followed by a left on Route 15 and then a right onto Heidenreich Road.
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
- Heidenreich Road Parking Area (42.474311°N, 78.001743°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
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 English 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.
Specific Rules
Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.
Planning and Management
DEC has developed a Draft Allegany Unit State Forests Unit Management Plan (UMP) 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 r9.ump@dec.ny.gov.
Timber Management
The hardwood stands are managed through a series of thinnings, which remove the lower quality trees and give more growing space to the best quality trees. The hardwood tops are generally left in place to rot and recycle their nutrients back into the soil. The decaying tops also provide bedding and nesting cover for wildlife such as white-tailed deer and wild turkeys.
Periodic thinnings in the red pine plantations have allowed native hardwoods to seed in the sunlit openings. Many of the pine stands have reached maturity, and the remaining overstory is now being removed to allow the hardwoods to grow. These "early-successional" hardwood stands provide an important habitat component for a variety of songbird species, as well as ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Genesee Valley Wildlife Management Area
- Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area
- Keeney Swamp Wildlife Management Area
- Keeney Swamp State Forest
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas can be found in the nearby communities of Fillmore and Nunda.
- Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Fillmore, Houghton and Nunda.
- Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Fillmore, Houghton and Nunda.
- Lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Fillmore and Houghton.
Allegany County Tourism (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.
