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Winona State Forest

cross country skiingsnowshoeing primitive campinghikinghorse back ridingsnowmobilinghunting trappingaccess for people with disabilitiesrestroomsparking icon key

Winona State Forest locator map
Sign Stating, Winona State Forest 9,233 Acres, State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation

The 9,233-acre Winona State Forest is located in southern Jefferson County and Northern Oswego County on the western edge of the Tug Hill Plateau. It is east of interstate #81, west of Littlejohn Wildlife Management Area.

The unit contains 31.1 miles of cross-country ski trails, 8.7 miles of snowmobile trails (some designated New York State Snowmobile Corridor Trails), 9.9 miles of forest roads, and 4 parking lots.

Featured Activities

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

cross country skiing
snowshoeing

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

The Winona Forest Recreation Association (WFRA), under a volunteer stewardship agreement with DEC, voluntarily spend hundreds of hours maintaining trails and facilities as well as hosting numerous recreational events.

beginning of tourathon

Winter events include the Tug Hill Tourathon ski race, the Tug Hill Challenge Sled dog race, snowshoe races, fat tire bike races, trail running events, and more. Winona State Forest has become one of New York's premiere venues for outdoor recreation while still continuing to provide for active timber management.

Camping

primitive camping

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

Winona State Forest has three designated campsites on Bargy Road. All designated primitive campsites have yellow and black "Camp Here" markers.

designated camping sign
Primitive
campsite marker

Hiking

hiking

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

Hiking is allowed anywhere unless posted otherwise.

Horseback Riding

horseback riding

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

Horseback riding is allowed on many of the trails. There is also an accessible horse mounting platform at the parking lot (CCC building) on County Route 90. 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.

Trails on Winona State Forest
Trail Name Miles Use
Bargy (main) 3.1 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Tucker 2.6 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Hessel 2.0 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Hawley 1.5 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Wart 0.7 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Adsit 1.0 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Gold Spike 1.2 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Bacus Bend 2.5 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Dog Leg 1.2 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Dog Leg Ext. 0.4 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Bronze Trail 1.5 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Tucker Ext Trail 1.2 hike, ski, sled dog, snowmobile
Musher Ridge 1.2 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Pussycat 0.5 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Tail 0.5 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Skinner Creek 0.8 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Frank's Fancy 1.9 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Tie 0.3 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Shady Shuttle 2.2 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Jimmy's Jaunt 0.6 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Hiscock 1.7 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Ted's Turn 0.6 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Sally's Ride 0.4 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Bill's Belly 2.0 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Raspberry (Larrabee) Trail 1.9 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Alice's Alley 2.5 hike, ski, bike, sled dog
Winona Way 5.0 hike, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Sycopath 0.9 hike, ski, horse, snowmobile
Stone Wall 1.1 hike, ski, bike
Stream View 0.6

hike, ski, bike

CCC Loop 1.9 hike, bike
Otso's Ridge 0.4 hike, bike
Bernard's Bypass 0.5 hike, bike
Look Out 0.8 hike, bike

Snowmobiling

snowmobiling

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

Winona State Forest has 8.7 miles of snowmobile trails. Some forest access roads allow snowmobiling.

Hunting & Trapping

hunting
trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 6K & 6N

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

Accessible Features

Access for People with Disabilities
restrooms

General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.

The Winona Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) buildings are the center for many winter activities. An original CCC building is used (by permit only) as headquarters for events. A pole barn houses grooming equipment and serves as a warming shed at events. Each of the three parking areas has accessible parking and accessible privies. There is also an accessible horse mounting platform at the parking lot (CCC building) on Co. Route 90.

Directions

Location Map of Winona State Forest

To get to this forest, from interstate 81, take Mannsville exit 39, then take county route 90 east through Mannsville. About 2.75 miles out of Mannsville, county route 90 meets Dixon Road and turns to the right. This route bears left at the intersection with Wart Road and then right at Brown Road. The historical CCC camp is another mile down the road on the left. From the east take Jefferson County Route 92 to Jefferson County Route 90. Proceed west on County Route 90 for approximately 2 miles. The CCC Camp is on the right.

Winona State Forest has three plowed parking areas. Each parking lot has an informational kiosk and an accessible privy. The CCC parking is for access from the north at the junction of Bargy Road and Co. Route 90. Bargy Parking is at the junction of Bargy Road and Co. Rt. 13. Wart Road parking is at the junction of Center Road and Wart Road.

Parking:

  • CCC Parking: (43.712803°N, 75.970619°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
  • Bargy Road Parking: (43.660918°N, 75.964946°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
  • Wart Road Parking: (43.657014°N, 75.999102°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Camping:

  • West side of Bargy Road (north) (43.710085°N, 75.973625°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
  • East side of Bargy Road (middle) (43.696342°N, 75.975833°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
  • West side of Bargy Road (south) (43.695571°N, 75.976279°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 Winona 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 manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Winona Forest Unit Management Plan (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.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.

History

Much of this reforestation land was once farmland that was abandoned during the Great Depression. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) maintained a camp on the forest. As the trees have grown to maturity, foresters have marked many stands for wood products, including red pine poles, pulpwood, hardwood and softwood saw timber and chips for energy.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas can be found in the nearby communities of Sandy Creek, Adams, Richland and Pulaski.
  • Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Sandy Creek, Adams and Pulaski.
  • Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Lacona, Sandy Creek and Pulaski
  • Lodging can be found in the nearby community of Pulaski.

The Jefferson County website (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.