Beaver Creek State Forest, Madison County

• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 7 Sherburne Office: (607) 674-4017 (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM); [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: Town of Brookfield, Madison County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 7M
• Map: Beaver Creek State Forest Map (PDF) || Brookfield Trail System Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The Beaver Creek State Forest totals 3,484 acres and makes up the northern section of the Brookfield Trail System. This highly acclaimed horse and snowmobile trail system has over 100 miles of trails located on three state forests (Charles E. Baker, Brookfield Railroad, and Beaver Creek State Forests).

The Brookfield Trail System covers approximately 25 miles within Beaver Creek, and is open to hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling during the appropriate seasons. Other recreational trails are open for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, or snowmobile use. Fishing, hunting, and canoeing provide other recreational opportunities on the forest.

Directions

To access the forest from State Route 20, take State Highway 8 south from Bridgewater approximately 3.5 miles to Skaneateles Turnpike (County Route 80) and turn right. Proceed 4 miles west to the village of Brookfield. Turn right onto Fairgrounds Road and look for State land on both sides of the road approximately a 1/4 mile past the Madison County fairgrounds. For camping permits, contact the State Forest Ranger at 315-886-1669. (42.825738°N, 75.307202°W) Google Maps

• Little Assembly Area (42.858216°N, 75.302238°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 Beaver Creek 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.

Special Regulations for Beaver Creek State Forest

1. Off road trails are closed to horse and mountain bike travel from October 31 to May 1.
2. Horse owners must have a current negative Coggins certificate in accordance with Agriculture and Markets Rules and Regulations, Part 64 and carry such with them.
3. Out-of-state horse owners may be required to produce a 30 day health certificate.
4. Horses may not be run, galloped or cantered in the assembly area.

Planning and Management

Beaver Creek State Forest is part of the Brookfield Unit Management Plan. The Unit Management Plan (UMP) guides DEC's land management activities on several geographically related forests for a ten-year period, although a number of goals and objectives in the plan focus on a much longer time period. Each UMP addresses specific objectives and actions for public use and forest management.

Beaver Creek passes through the heart of this State Forest, peacefully meandering through a large swamp that gives way to wooded hillsides of cedar, balsam fir and native hardwood forests. A canoe trip through these still waters is reminiscent of scenes from the wild areas of northern New York. Once home to a brick kiln along the east shore of Beaver Creek, today the area shows very little evidence of human intrusion upon the landscape, outside of the trail network situated around the swamp's perimeter. The swamp may be viewed from the bridge crossing the creek.

Like many of the other State lands found throughout Central NY, Beaver Creek State Forest has a variety of conifer plantations standing tall as a testimony to the hard work of the different public work programs of years gone by. These plantations, along with stands of native trees, provide wildlife habitat and wood products. A 15-acre plantation of Japanese Larch trees found within the forest serves as a seed orchard for the Department of Environmental Conservation's Saratoga Tree Nursery. This larch plantation, along with other designed conifer plantations around the state, provide a seed source for the growing stock planted for resale by the nursery.

Nearby Amenities and Attractions

• Charles E. Baker State Forest
• Brookfield Railroad State Forest

Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Hamilton and Clinton.

Madison County Tourism 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.