Shandaken Wild Forest

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

Rochester Hollow Update: Access to the Rochester Hollow Trailhead on Matyas Road in Shandaken Wild Forest is currently limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles due to damage sustained from the recent flooding events in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Please use caution when attempting to access the Rochester Hollow Trailhead- 2wd vehicles should not attempt access at this time.

The Rochester Hollow parcel has three marked trails. The longest is the Colonel Rochester Trail (blue blaze - 2.7 miles). There are two loops off the blue trail. The Burrough's Memorial Forest Trail (yellow blaze -0.7 miles) leads to the John Burroughs Memorial Forest, a plantation of white and Norway spruce on an abandoned farm site. The Eignor Farm Trail (red blaze- 1.4 miles) continues from the end of the Blue trail and loops back to meet it.

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

The Allaben parcel contains eight designated campsites, two of which are accessible with accessible picnic tables and fire rings. The first campsite is located next to a small pond with a hardened area near the edge of the water for fishing. Continue past this campsite to the end of the road where a second accessible campsite can be found. There is an accessible seasonal port-a-john located at the cul-de-sac, adjacent to this campsite. An accessible informational kiosk is located at the first intersection, near the first accessible campsite.

Rochester Hollow has an accessible lean-to campsite (with hardened surfaces, accessible picnic table, fireplace and privy) and two designated campsites. This site is near the end of a three-mile-long gated road (Rochester Hollow Road). Access by ATV is granted only to Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) permit holders.

Additionally, 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.

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

A small pond with a fishing platform is featured at the Lower Birch Creek Road Picnic Site. The site offers Brook Trout fishing opportunities.

Additionally, there are public fishing rights on nearby private land. For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on Esopus Creek, Woodland Valley Creek, and Stony Clove Creek, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map.)

East-Central NY Fishing and 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.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3A & 4R

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

Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons, except where specifically prohibited by posted notice. The main game species found on the property include white tailed deer, black bear, snowshoe hare, wild turkey and grey squirrel. The main furbearers found on the property include beaver, bobcat, coyote, and fisher.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3A & 4R

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

Trapping is allowed during appropriate seasons, except where specifically prohibited by posted notice. The main game species found on the property include white tailed deer, black bear, snowshoe hare, wild turkey and grey squirrel. The main furbearers found on the property include beaver, bobcat, coyote, and fisher.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are no groomed or maintained ski trails, however cross-country skiers utilize the Rochester Hollow Trails in the winter. Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails.

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

There are no groomed or maintained ski trails, however snowshoers utilize the Rochester Hollow Trails in the winter. Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails.

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

The Rochester Hollow Trails are open to horseback riding. 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.

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

The Catskills are home to an abundance of wildlife. With both larger mammals (including deer, bear, and bobcat) as well as smaller mammals (including porcupine and fisher) the Catskills have several unique habitats. In addition to the many mammals found in the Catskills, hundreds of species of birds can also be found here.