Beaver Creek State Forest
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: free
- Contact Information: State Forest Office in Potsdam (M-F 8 AM - 4:30 PM): (315) 265-3090 information.r6@dec.ny.gov
- Backcountry Emergency (Search, Rescue & Forest Fire): (518) 891-0235 or dial 911
- State Land Law Enforcement: (518) 897-1300
- Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Law Enforcement: (315) 785-2231
- Location: Towns of Gouverneur, Depeyster, Macomb in St. Lawrence County.
- Wildlife Management Unit: 6A
- Map: Beaver Creek Forest Map || Beaver Creek Forest Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Beaver Creek State Forest is a large complex of three reforestation areas covering 3,694 acres. The topography is very hilly with thin soils and rocky exposed ridge tops predominating. The northernmost boundary of the forest includes over a mile of frontage on Mud Lake.
Featured Activities
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. There are no designated camp sites on this state forest. Primitive camping is allowed throughout the property. Camping for more than three nights or in a group of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger. Camping is prohibited within 150 feet of water, roads or trails unless otherwise noted.
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. There are no developed trails on this state forest.
Paddling
General information on Paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. Canoeing is allowed in nearby Beaver Creek and Mud Lake.
Hunting & Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations. Hunting and trapping are allowed in accordance with State laws and regulations.
Follow all hunting safety guidelines, be prepared before going into the woods.
Fishing
General information on fishing. Includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules ®ulations.
Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing
General information on Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.
Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing are allowed on the property. There are no developed trails on the property.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state. The wildlife that may be present in the Beaver Creek State Forest includes deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, mink, raccoon, black bear, fox, and migratory songbirds. Smooth green snake, eastern garter snake, wood turtle and painted turtle may also be present.
Beaver Creek
Driving Directions
This forest can be accessed from the Gilbert, Lead Mine, Little Bow, and Morrison Roads in the town of Gouverneur, the Lead Mine Road in Macomb, and St. Lawrence County Route 10 in DePeyster. All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
- Morrison Road: 44.4386°N, 75.4851°W, Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Route 10: 44.4887°N, 75.4842°W, Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace principles (Leaves DEC website) principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts.
All users of Beaver Creek State Forests must follow all State Forest Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Don't Move Firewood. The insects it carries could kill the forests you love.
How We Manage Beaver Creek State Forest
DEC is developing a management plan which will describe the management activities for these lands. Beaver Creek is one of 15 State Forests, 9 detached forest preserve parcels, and 2 Conservation Easements combined into the area called the St. Lawrence Rock Ridge Management Unit. In addition to forestry management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.
DEC is planning for input for development of this UMP and public meeting in early 2017. Any individual or group who would like to provide comments on the future management of this unit can contact Forester Tony Sparacino at NYSDEC, 6739 US Highway 11, Potsdam, NY, 13676 or e-mail: Region 6 UMP mail box.
Upland areas support a mixture of northern hardwood, hemlock, and white pine forests. Lower quality upland sites are dominated by red oak, eastern hophornbeam, hickories, and other species adapted to droughty and nutrient poor soils. Pine and spruce plantations were established on what were formerly farm fields and pastures. Open fields were planted with a variety of species including white spruce, Scotch pine, red pine, and white pine. A total of over 513,000 trees were planted on 743 acres of this state forest between 1955 and 1981. Flatter ground supports open wetlands and shrub swamps, which gradually transition to swamp hardwoods and white cedar in seasonal flooded areas. There are several unusual plant communities which occur across this area, including approximately 50 acres of silver maple dominated swamp hardwoods. Upland areas also include locally abundant populations of butternut and cork elm.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
- Western Adirondacks/ Upper Mohawk Valley/ Eastern Lake Ontario - Region 6
- Contour Maps for selected lakes in St. Lawrence County
- Contour Maps for selected lakes in Jefferson County
- NYS Parks Thousand Islands Region (Leaves DEC website)
- St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce (Leaves DEC website)
- Greater Watertown Chamber of Commerce (Leaves DEC website)
- Gas may be found in the nearby communities of: Hammond, Gouverneur & Heuvelton, Morristown.
- Food and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of: Hammond, Gouverneur & Heuvelton, Morristown.
- Dining opportunities may be found in the nearby communities of: Hammond, Gouverneur & Heuvelton, Morristown.
- Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of: Hammond, Gouverneur & Heuvelton, Morristown.
The tourism offices above can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
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.
