State Land

Basswood Pond State Forest

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Map of Basswood Pond State Forest

Consistent beaver activity at Basswood Pond has resulted in a portion of the trail system adjacent to Basswood Pond being flooded, preventing hikers from completing the main loop without wading. Flooding has also resulted in the destruction of a bridge on the southern hiking trail loop. Plans are underway to replace the bridge next summer. In the meantime, the trail will be re-routed so that hikers and cross country skiers may cross the stream using Basswood Road.

The 720-acre Basswood Pond State Forest is conveniently located 15 miles from Cooperstown, NY. With 7.5 miles of multiuse trails, as well as a pond featuring a day use picnic area, Basswood Pond State Forest is a great destination for outdoor recreation any time of year.

Featured Activities

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

Basswood Pond State Forest contains trails upon which hiking and cross country skiing are encouraged. The main trail is a loop, starting at the parking lot on Conservation Road, and passes south of Basswood Pond, through the Accessible fishing and day-use area. There is also a trail from the parking lot on Jacobs Road that connects to the loop. Camping

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

There are no designated campsites but there is an accessible lean-to on Basswood Pond. Primitive camping is also 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 paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Basswood Pond covers 15 acres and has no dock or put in location. It is open to hand launch boats.

General information on boating includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations and lists of DEC boat launches by county.

Basswood Pond covers 15 acres and has no dock or put in location. It is open to hand launch boats. Only electric motors are permitted.

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

Basswood Pond State Forest features Basswood Pond with an accessible fishing pier. Basswood Pond is stocked with rainbow trout annually. Fish may not be used as bait.

There are also public fishing rights on the nearby Wharton Creek. For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on Wharton Creek, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map).

Southeastern NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Wildlife Management Unit: 4F

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

Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbits, squirrels, and coyotes.

Wildlife Management Unit: 4F

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

Trapping is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbits, squirrels, and coyotes.

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

A snowmobile trail crosses the property. The trail is connected to a larger network of trails maintained by the Otsego Snow Travelers (leaves DEC website).

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

Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails.

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

Otsego County lies on the eastern end of the Central Appalachian ecozone which hosts a plethora of wildlife. In addition to the notable game species and furbearers, a variety of songbirds as well as birds of prey can be found within the property.

Wooded trails at Basswood Pond State Forest

Accessible Features

From the Basswood Pond Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Fishing/viewing platform;
  • Picnic area; and
  • Portable toilet (seasonal)

The fishing platform and picnic area are approximately 250 feet from the parking lot.

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.

Directions

From the North: NY-28 S, right onto County Road 16 (5.1 mi). Next, make a left onto Basswood Rd (0.4 mi), then take the first right onto Conservation Road to reach the Basswood Pond day use area.

From the South: NY-205 N, turn left onto NY-80 W (4 mi), then right onto County Rd 16 (1.5 mi). Next, make a left onto Basswood Road (0.4 mi), then take the first right onto Conservation Road to reach the Basswood Pond day use area.

From the East: Take St. Hwy. 80 West of Cooperstown. In Burlington, make a right onto County Route 16. Approximately 1 1/2 miles, make a left onto Basswood Road. Make first right on the Conservation Road and proceed to day use area.

From the West: US-20 E, turn right onto NY-51 S/ South St (12.2 mi), take left onto Arnold Rd (1.2 mi), continue onto Basswood Road to enter the State Forest, and then take the first left onto Conservation Road to reach the Basswood Pond day use area.

  • Jacobs Road Parking Lot (42.757101°N, 75.121525°W) Google Maps 
  • Basswood Pond Parking Lot: provides access to the Basswood Pond picnic day area. (42.750324°N, 75.123224°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 Basswood Pond 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 and horseback riding are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.

Path and fishing platform at Basswood Pond

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Leatherstocking Unit Management Plan (PDF). 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].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Lodging and dining opportunities, as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Cooperstown

Cooperstown and Otsego County Tourism Office 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.

Important Links

Otsego County Tourism
Leave No Trace
Contact for this Page

NYSDEC Region 4 Lands and Forests
65561 State Rt 10
Stamford, NY 12167

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