State Land

Altmar State Forest

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  • Open for recreation: Year-round
Altmar State Forest location

Altmar State Forest encompasses 926 acres of land. Visitors may enjoy hunting, trapping, fishing, informal hiking, and snowmobiling within the rustic environment of this property.

 

Featured Activities

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.

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Fishing information for Central NY is available.

Wildlife Management Unit: 6K

General Information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Wildlife Management Unit: 6K

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are two section of snowmobile trail on the forest covering about 1.1 miles.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

With a dense, wild and relatively undisturbed landscape, Altmar State Forest provides excellent habitat for many different species of plants and animals. There are many game animals to be found such as deer, turkey, grouse, and squirrels, and fur bearers such as fishers, mink, weasels, and otter. An inland dune habitat adds to the diversity of the already flourishing fauna and flora. In addition, the forest offers a home to various song birds and raptors.

Directions

Altmar State Forest may be accessed by taking NY Route 13 to either Towsley Road or Albion Cross Road. Both roads run north and south through the forest and have vehicle pull offs available.

  • Towsley Road (43.522053°N, 76.080894°W) Google Maps
  • Albion Cross Road (43.512919°N, 76.067579°W) Google Maps

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles 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 Altmar 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 has developed a draft Eastern Lake Ontario Draft Unit Management Plan 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 [email protected].

Timber Management

Altmar State Forest contains a variety of forest types. They include northern hardwood-hemlock, beech-maple, maple-basswood and conifer forests. All DEC foresters are charged with the responsibility of managing State Forests to enhance and maintain a diverse and healthy forest ecosystem for both society and wildlife. As such, management of the forest is strategically employed to develop a balanced mix of young, middle-aged, and old (late successional) forest types, as well as to provide for the continued success of compatible recreational activities.

History

Cleared for crop land by European settlers and Revolutionary War Veterans, the land that is now Altmar State Forest offered limited reward for early farmers. Being located within the Tug Hill Plateau, the soils are predominately stoney, medium to course textured, and highly acidic. When combined with harsh winters and short growing seasons, the land proved to be too difficult to successfully cultivate, and 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 (now DEC) to acquire land, by gift or purchase, for reforestation areas. These State Forests, consisting of no 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, Titles 5 and 7, Environmental Conservation Law). Altmar State Forest became one of the properties purchased by the state under this legislation; it now provides a diverse array of ecological, economic, and recreational services for hundreds of New Yorkers each year.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby community of Pulaski.

Oswego County Tourism Office 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 for information on outdoor guides.

Important Links

Oswego County Tourism Office
Contact for this Page

Lands and Forests Region 7
1285 Fisher Ave
Cortland, NY 13045

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Region 7 - Central New York
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