Bluestone Wild Forest
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact information:
- DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM), (845) 256-3076; R3Forestry@dec.ny.gov
- Enforcement Matters: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or 911
- Location: Towns of Hurley, Kingston, and Ulster, Ulster County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 3C
- Maps: Bluestone Wild Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Located at one of the most popular gateways to the Catskill Forest Preserve, just three miles west of historic Kingston, the 3,000-acre Bluestone Wild Forest, has something for everyone. Its lake, ponds, trails, old quarries, hemlock and oak forests on gently rolling hills - and an occasional cliff- are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, trapping, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There is developed access to Onteora Lake off State Route 28, one of the few publicly accessible lakes in the Catskills.
Onteora Lake in autumn
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
The Bluestone Wild Forest contains roughly 29 miles of trail, much of which is built for mountain biking. Foot traffic is prevalent in the area as well, particularly near Onteora Lake. Hikers particularly enjoy the Onteora Lake Loop Trail, Red Eft Trail, and Bluestone Trail. Starting at the trailhead parking lot, off State Route 28 the yellow marked Onteora Lake Loop Trail traverses through upland oaks, moist hemlock forests, and many abandoned bluestone quarries. The yellow marked Onteora Lake Loop Trail then passes near Pickerel Pond before returning back towards the trailhead. The Red Eft Trail loop ascends a ridge with 2 large vernal pools and upland forest with scattered pitch pines (2.25 miles), and the Bluestone Trail loop traverses some relatively rough mixed topography (1.5 miles) before meeting back up with the Red Eft Trail on an old woods road.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
An accessible trail at Onteora Lake.
Onteora Lake is a warm water lake with a maximum depth to the north of 20 feet. The lake is a popular ice fishing destination and is known for its panfish (white and yellow perch, largemouth bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish, golden shiner, brown bullhead, black crappie, chain pickerel, alewife). A large wetland to the south of Onteora Lake is drained by Prayermaher Brook, which flows to the Esopus Creek through several waterfalls on a 265-acre parcel of state land (with poorly defined access) south of Route 28. Anglers should check the current fresh water fishing regulations for and know the statewide regulation and the regulations pertaining to specific waters.
An accessible trail at this site leads to the edge of the water, where there is an accessible fishing platform.
Southeastern NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the Catskills and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Bluestone Wild Forest features paddling opportunities on Onteora Lake with a hand launch on the west side of the Lake. Non-motorized boats and cartop boats with electric motors may be used at Onteora Lake.
Biking
General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Mountain bikes are permitted on all marked trails throughout the trail network within Bluestone Wild Forest. Trails are maintained through a volunteer stewardship agreement with the Fats in the Cats mountain biking club. Please stay only on the marked trails. Some old roads and paths lead onward to private land, which should not be entered without the permission of the owner. All motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Hunting & Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Bluestone Wild Forest is open to hunting and trapping during appropriate seasons.
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 trails.
Accessible Features
An accessible picnic area by the lake.
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
Onteora Lake provides opportunities for fishing and picnicking. An accessible trail starts at the parking lot next to an informational kiosk. The path first leads to an accessible picnic table and then an observation area. The path ends at the edge of the water, where there is an accessible fishing platform. There is accessible parking and a seasonal accessible portable toilet located in the parking lot.
Directions
- Onteora Lake Parking Area and Hand Boat Launch: Take New York State Thruway (I-87) to Exit 19 (Kingston), then State Route 28 west 3 miles to the Onteora Lake entrance sign on the right. (41.984094°N, 74.082791°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Jockey Hill-Wintergreen Ridge Trail Parking Area: Take Route 209 to the Sawkill Road exit towards Woodstock. Take Sawkill Road past the Town of Kingston offices and a bridge continuing onward to a Jockey Hill Road. Make a left onto Jockey Hill and continue straight onto unpaved Old Dump Woods Road. Stay on the Woods Road to a small 5 car trailhead parking lot with a gate over the road. (41.977744°N, 74.05011°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) principles when recreating in the Catskills to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other backcountry users.
All users of Bluestone Wild 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.
- Clean your boat and equipment - help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
- Follow the NYS firewood regulation - protect our forests from invasive insects.
- Observe all campfire safety practices. Use only dead and down wood. Don't leave garbage in the fire pit.
Planning and Management
DEC manages these lands in accordance with the 1997 Bluestone Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF). 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. The UMP was amended in 2015 (PDF) to propose the construction and modification of trails, to designate Onteora Lake as a warm water fishery, and to classify 33 acres of land to be included in the unit.
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at R3Forestry@dec.ny.gov
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Lodging and dining opportunities, as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Woodstock and Phoenicia.
Catskill Regional Tourism Office (leaves DEC website) and Ulster County Tourism (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.
