Greenwood Creek State Forest

• Open for recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 6 Potsdam Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM), (315) 265-3090; [email protected]
  • 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 Pitcairn, St. Lawrence County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6J
• Map: Greenwood Creek State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Greenwood Creek State Forest covers 1,022 acres. The topography is very hilly with thin soils and rocky exposed ridge tops. Better quality upland sites support a mixture of northern hardwood, hemlock, and white pine forests. Lower quality upland sites are dominated by red oak, eastern hophornbeam, and other species adapted to droughty and nutrient poor soils. Pine and spruce plantations were established on what were formerly farm fields and pastures. Flatter ground supports open wetlands and shrub swamps, which gradually transition to swamp hardwoods in seasonal flooded areas.

Directions

This forest can be accessed from the Graham Road, the Greenwood Road and New York State Route 3.

• Greenwood Road Parking Area (44.205537°N, 75.197892°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 Greenwood Creek State Forest must follow all State Forest Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of users and protection of the resource.

Don't Move Firewood: the insects it carries could kill the forests you love.

Planning and Management

DEC developed the draft St. Lawrence Rock Ridge Unit Management Plan that describes proposed management activities for this and several other state forests in the area. DEC accepted public comments on the draft until April 30, 2022. Questions about this draft UMP may be sent to [email protected].

History

State forests were created to provide for a future supply of timber, watershed protection, and lands for public recreation. The first forestry practice applied to this land was the planting of evergreen trees in the abandoned farm fields and meadows. In 1935, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crews planted 336,000 tree seedlings on 261 acres. In the spring of 1954, Conservation Department crews planted an additional 45,800 seedlings on 42 acres. In 1959, the first harvest of 1,460 Christmas trees occurred. Most of these were white spruce which the purchaser shipped to Florida. Most of the trees planted in 1935 have been commercially thinned for pulpwood three times. In addition to the pulpwood sales, some utility poles and small sawtimber have been removed. These are the stands of red pine such as are growing in the picnic area. The future of these red pine stands depends on the quality of the individual trees remaining, and the condition of the "new" forest now growing under the pine. At some future date, when this "new" forest is ready to take over the site, the entire pine overstory will be harvested for poles, sawtimber, veneer, etc. The hardwood stands have been cut for firewood, pulpwood, and sawtimber.

Several state forests in southwestern St. Lawrence County were severely damaged by an intense windstorm which occurred on July 15, 1995, locally known as the 1995 Microburst. The storm affected a wide area stretching from Lake Ontario across northern New York State to the central portion of the Adirondack Park. Winds gusted as high as 100 miles per hour. Damage ranged from broken tree limbs and tops to areas of 10 or more acres that were entirely blown down.

Four state forests in the town of Pitcairn suffered heavy wind damage: California Road, Cold Spring Brook, Greenwood Creek, and Toothaker Creek State Forests. Over the next 3 years, a total of 1,100 acres of storm damaged timber were harvested, yielding 1.4 million board feet of sawlogs and more than $280,000 in revenue. Many of the harvested areas have become dense stands of hardwood seedlings and saplings. These areas now provide early successional habitat preferred by several species of birds such as ruffed grouse, woodcock, and warblers.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Wolf Lake State Forest
• Cranberry Lake Campground
• Frank E. Jadwin Memorial State Forest

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas can be found in the nearby communities of Harrisville, Natural Bridge, Gouverneur and Carthage.
• Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Harrisville, Gouverneur, Edwards and Croghan.
• Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Harrisville, Carthage and Gouverneur.
• Lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Gouverneur, Carthage and Watertow.

St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and Adirondacks Tug Hill can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guidebooks and map are available with information on the lands, water, 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.