McDonough 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)-674-4017; [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 McDonough and Preston, Chenango County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 7M
• Map: McDonough State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

McDonough State Forest is located 10 miles west of Norwich, in the gently rolling hills of the Allegheny Plateau. Both the Finger Lakes Trail and the New York State Corridor Snowmobile Trail pass through the forest, and many of the unpaved town roads are ideal for mountain biking and horseback riding.

Bowman Lake State Park adjoins McDonough State Forest, and both the Finger Lakes Trail and the snowmobile trail cross from the state forest into the State Park. Bowman Lake State Park provides camping, swimming and other developed recreational activities and facilities.

As of September 2021, Berry Hill fire tower is open to the public for recreation from sunrise to sunset. The fire tower is located just north of McDonough State Forest on Tower Road, also a section of the Finger Lakes Trail, which passes through both the state forest and park. The viewshed from the fire tower stretches into the counties of Broome, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, and Tioga.

Accessible Features

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

A short (less than one mile) trail in the southwestern portion of the forest off Shortcut Road allows motorized access for people with mobility impairments. A permit is required through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities.

There are accessible picnic tables and an interpretive sign at the Civilian Conservation Corp Historic Site.

Kopac Pond

Located on Bliven-Sherman Road, this site features a smooth, hard-packed 1/5-mile accessible trail that loops through the hemlock forest. The trail is very shaded and cool on a hot summer day. The trail maintains interest as it crosses level but rolling ground that is broken by very small, rounded hillocks, originally lifted by tree roots. At the end of the trail, there is an accessible observation deck that overlooks the pond. Officially the pond is unnamed; it lies immediately south of Whaley Pond and there is a stream that connects the two.

Directions

To gain access to this historic State Forest, from Oxford, take State Highway 220 heading West. The entrance to the forest will be located to the north.

• CCC Parking Area and historic site with stone chimney (42.503381°N, 75.725149°W) Google Maps 
• Kopac Pond Parking Area: In East McDonough, head north on Bowman Road and continue for 1 mile, then turn left on Bliven-Sherman Road. The parking area will be on your right. (42.514135°N, 75.698992°W) Google Maps 
• Short Cut Road Parking Area with access to the MAPPWD trail (42.488632°N, 75.710485°W) Google Maps 

To locate Berry Hill fire tower, take County Road 10 to Tower Road, north of McDonough State Forest. Coordinates bring you to the parking area and driveway (42.549989°N, 75.686328°W) Google Maps 

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 McDonough 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 McDonough Unit Management Plan. 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 us at [email protected].

Forest Management

Today, McDonough and all State Forests in New York are managed for multiple benefits to serve the needs of the people of New York. Sustainable forestry practices will ensure a perpetual supply of timber, a diversity of wildlife habitats, compatible recreational opportunities and clean water. The underlying State Forest management philosophy is to consider today's natural resource demands while not compromising opportunities for future generations.

Chimney at the site of former CCC camp

McDonough State Forest has the distinction of being the first reforestation area in Chenango County, and soon after acquisition, the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) were dispatched to plant millions of trees, construct bridges, roads and ponds and conduct other forest improvement activities. The first Chenango County CCC camp was a tent barracks located near Steers Pond that provided temporary accommodation for 180 African American enrollees. A more permanent camp was established in McDonough in June 1933 and could accommodate 200 men. Camp # 3 was active through 1941 and during its eight year history 1,500 men passed through its gates. A stone chimney located southeast of Bliven Pond along State Route 220 marks the site where Camp # 3 once stood.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Genegantslet State Forest
• Ludlow Creek State Forest
• Bowman Lake State Park 

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

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

Chenango County Tourism 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.

History

Beginning in 1804, settlers began to arrive from New England and were quick to exploit the region's wealth of natural resources. Timber, stone and water were cut, mined and harnessed and within fifty years most of the pre-settlement forest had been transformed into agricultural land. By the late 19th century, however, many things led to increasing rates of farm abandonment. These included declining productivity of upland farms, the lure of the city and its industrial jobs, and the availability of what were advertised as more fertile lands in the American frontier.

Concern was growing over the local economic impact of migration and agricultural abandonment and as early as 1920 the Norwich Chamber of Commerce and Chenango County Fish, Game and Gun Club were advocating public land acquisition for conservation purposes. Following passage of the Hewett Amendment and the State Reforestation Act in 1929, Chenango County became an early focus of state land acquisition efforts.