Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 9 Allegany Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (716) 372-0645; region9@dec.ny.gov
- 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 Middlebury, Wyoming County
- Wildlife Management Unit : 9H
- Map: Carlton Hill MUA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Located in the northwestern Cattaraugus Highlands portion of the Appalachian Plateau, Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area (MUA) is a 2,500-acre area comprised of abandoned farmland interspersed with scattered small woodlots that provide a variety of habitat types for many kinds of wildlife.
This ecological zone is characterized by flat-topped uplands with deep intervening valleys. Many farms were abandoned in the 1920s and 1930s because of the poor soils and steep slopes. The economic pressures during the Great Depression led to farm abandonment in the area. DEC began acquiring properties in 1961 under the Park and Recreation Land Acquisition Bond Act of 1960.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Please stay on the designated trails to protect the diversity and richness of the plant communities found within this area.
Hunting & Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
Hunting and trapping are allowed for a variety of species that can be found at Carlton Hill. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons). Note: hunting is not permitted on all portions of the property. Please see the Carlton Hill MUA Map (PDF) for restricted areas.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
Little Tonawanda Creek is stocked with brown trout in the spring.
Grasslands at Carlton Hill MUA
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 diversity of habitat types provides good food and cover for a wide variety of wildlife species, including several threatened species (Henslow's sparrow, northern harrier and pied-billed grebe) and species of special concern (grasshopper sparrow, yellow-breasted chat and horned lark). In recognition of this, the MUA was designated as a Bird Conservation Area (BCA) in 2006.
- Mammals - beaver, muskrat, mink, raccoon, fox, squirrel, and white-tailed deer
- Birds - ruffed grouse, woodcock, turkey, and a variety of song birds
Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
Individuals with disabilities can apply for a permit through the Motorized Access Program for People With Disabilities (MAPPWD) to use a motor vehicle on designated roads. Two trail sections off the Middlebury Road parking area in the northern part of the WMA are available for ATV use by people with disabilities, one to the north of the road and one to the south. Contact the regional office at the number listed above to obtain a permit.
Directions
Carlton Hill MUA is located three miles north of the Village of Warsaw in the Town of Middlebury, Wyoming County.
All Google Map links leave DEC website.
- Middlebury Road Parking Lot: (42.859678°N, 78.139612°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Middle Bank Street Road Parking Lot: (42.829574°N, 78.148827°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Dale Road Parking Lot: (42.852006°N, 78.172363°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Casselberry Road Parking Lot: (42.831759°N, 78.158068°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Northern Bank Street Road Parking Lot: (42.848633°N, 78.14784°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Southern Bank Street Road Parking Lot: (42.801315°N, 78.148621°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations & 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 Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area must follow all Wildlife Management Area Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Activity Rules & Regulations:
- Wildlife Management Areas (PDF) - updated in 2022
- Carlton Hill MUA Regulations (Part 71) (leaves DEC website)
- Hunting Regulations
- Trapping Regulations
- Fishing Regulations
Outdoor Safety Tips:
How We Manage Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Carlton Hill MUA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
One of the principal management objectives for the Carlton Hill MUA is to support a diversity of bird species including a number of species at risk. View the Habitat Management Plan for Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area (PDF), approved in April 2019, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.
- Wyoming County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- Darien Lakes State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Silver Lake State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Letchworth State Park (leaves DEC website)
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.
