State Land

Mount Pisgah State Forest

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  • Open for recreation: Year-round
Mount Pisgah State Forest location

The 650-acre Mount Pisgah State Forest is comprised of mostly northern hardwoods forests. Elevation ranges from 2,140 feet to approximately 3,200 feet at the summit of Richmond Mountain. The summit of Richtmyer Peak (2,980 feet) and Mount Pisgah (2,912 feet) are also located on this state forest.

 

Featured Activities

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

Approximately 2 miles of the Long Path Hiking Trail, a long distance trail that extends from the George Washington Bridge to Altamont, NY, is located on Mount Pisgah State Forest. The trail may be accessed from County Route 10 or from a yellow-marked foot trail that runs from the end of the Mount Pisgah Truck Trail to the Long Path Hiking Trail. From Mount Pisgah State Forest, the Long Path runs westerly across South Mountain State Forest to Ashland Pinnacle State Forest. It also runs westerly from Mount Pisgah across Mount Hayden State Forest.

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

There are no designated campsite; however, at-large 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.

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

Mount Pisgah State Forest is open to hunting in appropriate seasons.

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

Mount Pisgah State Forest is open to trapping in appropriate seasons.

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

Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails.

General information on snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

Accessible Features

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

Access Trail #1 (0.4 mile), Access Trail #3 (0.6 mile), and Access Trail #4 (0.2 mile) are designated motorized access routes for people with qualifying disabilities for hunting and wildlife viewing. A permit from Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) can be obtained from the nearest DEC office.

Directions

From Windham, take NYS Route 23 east to County Route 21. Take County Route 21 to the T intersection with County Route 10. Turn left onto County Route 10 and proceed approximately 1/2 mile to Mount Pisgah Road. Turn right onto Mount Pisgah Road and proceed approximately 0.3 mile. Turn left onto Mount Pisgah Access Road #1 or proceed another 300 feet and turn right onto the Mount Pisgah Truck Trail. The state forest may be accessed from either road. 42.368712°N, 74.249880°W Google Maps

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 Mount Pisgah 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.

Specific Rules

Mountain biking, snowmobiling and horseback riding area allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.

How We Manage Mount Pisgah State Forest

DEC is developing a unit management plan which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at [email protected].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

DEC Lands & Facilities

Lodging and dining opportunities, as well as food, gas and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of East Durham and Windham.

Greene County Tourism Office and Schoharie County Tourism Office 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 for information on outdoor guides.

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Region 4 - Capital Region/Northern Catskills
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