Beebe Hill & Harvey Mt. State Forests
TRAIL CLOSURE ALERT (11/29/2022): A 32-acre timber management area located on Harvey Mountain State Forest east of Bald Mtn. Rd requires the closure of trails. Trail Closure Map (PDF)
ALERT (4/1/2022): The fire tower is closed until further notice. Damage caused by high winds has created unsafe conditions.
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 4 Schenectady Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM), (518) 357-2155; 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 Austerlitz and Canaan, Columbia County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 4U and 4Z
- Map: Beebe Hill Multiple Use Area Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Harvey Mountain State Forest Map (GeoPDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The 2,018-acre Beebe Hill Multiple Use Area and the 2,007-acre Harvey Mountain State Forest are managed for multiple uses, including timber production, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Harvey Mountain is the highest elevation in Columbia County at 2,065 feet. The forests provide ample opportunity for outdoor recreation year round, including a fire tower that is open to the public and provides beautiful scenery from the top.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests feature 30 miles of multiple use trails, open to hiking and other recreation. These trails can be accessed by various parking areas, and lead to various highlights of the State Forests including two lean-tos and a fire tower. There is also a lean-to for public use just off the summit along the main trail. Harvey Mountain State Forest also has a lean-to along the trail, as well as a large, unique blueberry patch at the summit of the mountain.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests feature one lean-to each. These lean-tos can be accessed by the multiple use trails. In addition, primitive camping is allowed. Camping must be at least 150 feet from a water body, trail or road. Camping for more than three nights or in a group of 10 or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There is an unmaintained hand-launch on Barrett Pond, which provides visitors access to the pond. Due to the rustic nature of the site, please proceed with caution when launching non-motorized boats.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests feature several bodies of water open to fishing including the 6.5-acre warm Barrett Pond, the 5-acre No Bottom Pond, as well as 5.5 miles of various streams. Fish species found on the property include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, rock bass, yellow perch and golden shiners.
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
Wildlife Management Units: 4U and 4Z
General Information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests are open to hunting and trapping during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, bear, turkey, beaver, coyote, and fisher.
Fire Tower
General information on fire towers includes historic and current uses of fire towers and links to other locations with fire towers.
Beebe Hill State Forest features a fire tower at the summit of Beebe Hill with the observer's cabin intact and open to the public.
Horseback Riding
General information on horseback riding includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Proof of current negative Coggins certificate is required for all horses and out-of-state horse owners are required to produce a 30-day health certificate.
There are horse rails located at the Fog Hill parking area. These 2 properties are very popular for horseback riding. Please see the directions section for details on parking lot capacity.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
There are approximately 5.6 miles of Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) trails in the Beebe Hill State Forest. Access for the trails leading to the fire tower can be gained via the Engle Road and Barrett Pond Road parking areas. The Loop Trail (2.28 miles), located northeast of Rte. 5, can be accessed from the Fog Hill parking lot. Harvey Mountain State Forest has the .88-mile Harvey Mountain Access Road located in the southeast portion of the property, which allows motorized access for people with mobility impairments. A permit is required through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities.
Directions
Beebe Hill/Harvey Mountain State Forests are approximately seven miles west of the Taconic Parkway on NY State Route 203. Beebe Hill State Forest can be accessed from Stonewall Road, Engle Road, County Route 5, Macedonia Road and Fog Hill Road, off NY State Routes 203 & 22 in the town of Austerlitz. Harvey Mountain State Forest is accessible from NY State Route 22 and East Hill Road in the town of Austerlitz.
- East Hill Road Area Parking Area is located on East Hill Road, off NY Route 22. It is an unpaved parking lot that fits 6 cars, or 2 cars with trailers. (42.326115°N, 73.439918°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Barrett Pond Parking Area is located off of Osmer Road, which is off of NYS Route 22. It is an unpaved parking lot that fits 20 vehicles or 5 cars with trailers.(42.336427°N, 73.475787°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Fog Hill Road Parking Area is located off of Fog Hill Road, which is off of Osmer Road. It is an unpaved parking lot that fits 20 vehicles or 5 cars with trailers. (42.341184°N, 73.472188°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Engle Road Parking Area is located off of Engle Road, which is off of NYS Route 22. (42.334196°N, 73.492664°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 natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.
All users of Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests 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
Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and snowmobiling are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.
Planning and Management
DEC is developing a recreation management plan which will describe the management activities for public recreation on these lands.
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at r4.ump@dec.ny.gov.
History
Beebe Hill State Forest (in the Columbia County town of Austerlitz) was established in 1963 and is the home of the Beebe Hill fire tower, erected in 1964 and operated through 1987. Recent history has seen the development of over 3,000 acres of state forests in Columbia County. The 60-foot-tall fire tower was originally constructed on Alander Mountain in the Berkshires in 1928. Five years later it was moved to Washburn Mountain in Columbia County, where it stood until it was moved to Beebe Hill in 1964. Harvey Mountain State Forest (also in the town of Austerlitz) was developed in 1999 and adjoins Beebe Hill State Forest. Harvey Mt. is the highest elevation in Columbia County at 2,065 feet. Near the summit of Harvey Mountain, a wild blueberry field exists, which historically provided a source of revenue for area residents.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Stockport Flats Estuarine Sanctuary
- Stockport Wildlife Management Area
- Hand Hollow State Forest
- New Forge State Forest
- Lake Taghkanic State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Nutten Hook Tidal Wetland
- Livingston State Forest
- Taconic State Park (leaves DEC website)
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Lodging and dining opportunities as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the communities of Chatham, Kinderhook and Hudson.
Columbia 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.
