Wiley Brook State Forest

• Open for recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 7 Sherburne Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (607) 674-4036; [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: Towns of Oxford and Guilford, Chenango County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 7P
• Map: Wiley Brook State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Wiley Brook State Forest is 1,240 acres in size. The most popular recreational activities on the forest are hiking and big game hunting. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as snowmobiling on the sections of unplowed town roads.

Some of the most scenic areas on this state forest can be found near the ponds. Wiley Pond (also known as Puckerville Pond) is located in the southwestern corner of the forest and features a primitive campsite. Another pond, which is only partially located on the State forest, can be found between Quarry Road and Shapley Road. This pond is in a remote location and is visited by many species of waterfowl.

Directions

Wiley Brook State Forest is a rather fragmented property and there is not a main entrance to the forest. There is an informational kiosk and forest map available at the Shapley Road parking area. Several town roads cross through the forest to provide ample access, including Shapley Road, Quarry Road, Puckerville Road, Bruffel Hill Road (formerly Ives Settlement Road), and Glovers Corners to Yaleville Road. All of these roads connect into County Routes 27, 35, or 38.

• Shapley Road parking and informational kiosk sign (42.368467°N, 75.539275°W) Google Maps

There are several moderately sized parking areas and numerous opportunities for informal pull-off parking found across the forest. Ward Loomis Road and Hoffman Road also pass adjacent to the forest providing additional access. All of the town roads on the forest are good quality, either paved or gravel-surface roads which may be traveled with any passenger car. However, the western portion of Bruffel Hill Road is only seasonally maintained and remains unplowed during the winter season.

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 Wiley Brook 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 Between Rivers Unit Management Plan (UMP). 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 [email protected].

History

The forest is named after the stream and its tributaries that run though many sections of the forest. All of the surface water in Wiley Brook State Forest flows south to the Susquehanna River. Wiley Brook is a tributary to Yaleville Brook, which flows into the Susquehanna River near the village of Bainbridge. The branches of Wiley Brook in the state forest represent the beginnings of the stream, and are unlikely to support any game fish, such as brook trout.

Wiley Brook State Forest sits on the rolling hilltops between the Unadilla and Chenango river valleys that lie to the east and west of the forest, respectively. Elevations on the forest range from a low of around 1,340 feet to just shy of 1,880 feet. Overall the topography is moderately undulating and gently sloping. Wiley Brook State Forest is bordered by a mix of privately owned woodlands and agricultural lands.

The forest cover in Wiley Brook State Forest is generally a mixture of either native or planted conifers with northern hardwood species. The northern hardwoods include: beech, birch, maple, oak, cherry, ash and basswood. Native conifers include white pine and hemlock. Planted conifers include red pine, scotch pine, white pine, Japanese larch, Norway spruce and white spruce. All of the conifer plantations in Wiley Brook State Forest where planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1931 and 1940.

More than 600 acres, or approximately 50%, of Wiley Brook State Forest was planted by the CCC. At the rate of 700 per acre, this adds up to more than 400,000 trees that were planted to reforest the unproductive agricultural lands of the 1800s. Many of these plantations are now mature, and are being converted to native forest cover, including northern hardwoods and hemlock.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Basswood State Forest

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby community of Norwich.

Chenango County Tourism Webpage 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 for information on outdoor guides.