Pigeon Hill State Forest
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 7 Sherburne Office: (607)-674-4017 (M-F 8 am- 4 pm); R7Forestry@dec.ny.gov
- Emergency, Law Enforcement & Rangers: (518) 408-5850 or 911
- Location: Plymouth, Chenango County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 7M
- Map: Pigeon Hill State Forest Map || Pigeon Hill State Forest Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Pigeon Hill State Forest consists of 736 acres. There are no trails on this forest but hiking is allowed anywhere unless posted otherwise. Popular activities include fishing, hunting, trapping, nature photography/observation and primitive camping.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
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.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Nearly a mile of the East Branch of the Canasawacta Creek flows through the northeastern portion of the forest. This section of the creek is lined with alders that provide cover for native brook trout holding in the pools and riffles. An additional smaller, unnamed brook that also holds native brook trout flows for over a half mile though the southwest portion of the forest.
Fishing Access information is available.
Fishing Easement information is available.
Hunting & Trapping
General Information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Some of the wildlife species that use the forest for habitat include: deer, turkey, grouse, red squirrels, coyotes, and a wide variety of forest song birds such as thrushes and warblers.
Directions
Access to this area is off of Chenango County Route 16 which borders the northeast side of the forest. Parking is along the side of the road. (42.6365643,-75.6255003) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Cookhouse Road traverses through the middle of the forest and provides seasonal access only. Visitors should be aware that portions of Cookhouse Road are in very rough condition. Cars having low ground clearance are not recommended for travel on this road. (42.62274,-75.6369037) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace (leaves DEC website) 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 Pigeon Hill 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
Pigeon Hill State Forest is part of the Pharsalia Woods Unit Management Plan. A unit management plan (UMP) guides the DEC's land management activities on several geographically related forests for a ten-year period, although a number of goals and objectives in the plan focus on a much longer time period. Each UMP addresses specific objectives and actions for public use and forest management. If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email R7Forestry@dec.ny.gov.
The forest consists of conifer plantations intermixed with native hardwoods and conifers spread across a hilltop on an area roughly 1.25 miles wide by 1.25 miles long. The plantation conifer species include red pine, Norway spruce and larch. Common native hardwoods or conifers found on the forest include: sugar and red maple, white ash, black cherry, beech and hemlock.
This forest is managed for a diversity of forest conditions that provide habitat for a wide array of wildlife species.
Nearby Amenities and Attractions
Chenango County Tourism Webpage (leaves DEC website)
Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby community of Norwich.
Numerous guide books 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.
