Stone Hill State Forest
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 7 Altmar Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (315) 298-7467; R7Forestry@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 Amboy, Oswego County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 6K
- Map: Stone Hill State Forest Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Stone Hill State Forest encompasses 1,025 acres of land. This is a primitive forest, ideal for hunting and trapping.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There is a 1/2 mile hiking trail off of stone Hill Road. Hiking is allowed anywhere on the property unless posted otherwise.
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.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Fishing information for Central NY is available.
Hunting & Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Game species such as deer, fox, rabbit, raccoon, mink, weasel and beaver make Stone Hill State Forest an excellent place for hunting and trapping.
Snowmobiling
General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There is roughly one mile of snowmobile trail that makes use of an abandoned town road along and through the forest as part of the area's network of snowmobile trails. It is located on the eastern edge of the forest.
Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
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.
The remote setting of this forest provides ample opportunities for visitors to view wildlife. It is not unusual to see turkeys, bald eagles, and grouse, as well as a wide variety of song birds and raptors.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
There is a trail designated for ATV use for those holding permits issued through the Motorized Access Program For People With Disabilities (MAPPWD). The trail is about ½ mile in length going southerly off Stone Hill Road in the northwestern corner of the forest.
Directions
Stone Hill State Forest may be accessed by taking NY Route 13 to Ball Road. Turn right onto Stone Hill Road. Parking and other access roads are off of Stone Hill Road.
- Stone Hill Road parking: (43.4230773°N, 75.9492278°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 Stone 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.
Planning and Management
DEC accepted comments on the draft Fish Creek Unit Management Plan (UMP) through Sunday, July 31, 2022. For questions and comments about this UMP, please email r7.ump@dec.ny.gov.
Forest Management
Stone Hill State Forest is comprised mainly of mature natural hardwood and northern hardwood-hemlock cover types. Species including red maple, black cherry, white ash, sugar maple, American beech, yellow birch, red oak and hemlock thrive within the forest. A few, small conifer plantations planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s can also be found throughout the property, consisting mainly of white pine, red pine, larch and spruce.
The majority of the forest is wetland, with some areas defined as hemlock swamps. These critical habitats provide food and shelter to hundreds of species of plants and animals.
History
As with the majority of other state forests, the land that now encompasses Stone Hill State Forest was originally purchased for reforestation by the State of New York during the 1930s. Up until this point, the landscape had been comprised of a diverse matrix of crop lands, open fields, forest, meadows and homesteads. Unfortunately, the upland soils of the Tug Hill Plateau are highly acidic, rocky and of a very course texture. Taken together with the intense winters which blanket the area, it is easy to understand why many of the early farms were unsuccessful. As methods of transportation became more readily accessible, farmers moved to the mid-west where winters were less harsh and land was more productive.
The Roosevelt Administration developed the State Reforestation Law of 1929 and the Hewitt Amendment of 1931. These two bills authorized the Conservation Department (now DEC) to acquire land, by gift or purchase, for reforestation areas. 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, and kindred purposes" (Article 9, Titles 5 and 7, Environmental Conservation Law).
Stone Hill State Forest has been managed to promote forest health, timber production, wildlife habitat, and primitive recreational opportunities. The land has been restored to a beautifully rich and diverse forest, and it provides a myriad of economic, ecological and recreational services for hundreds of people each year.
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at R7Forestry@dec.ny.gov
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas and food may be found in the nearby communities of Camden, Williamstown, or Redfield.
- Lodging may be found in the nearby community of Pulaski.
Oswego County Tourism Office (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.
