Overlook in front of pond
Wildlife Management Area

Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area

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Map of Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area
  • Open for Recreation: Year-round; parking lots are not plowed in winter months
  • Fee: Free
  • Contact Information:
    • DEC Region 5 Warrensburg Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (518) 623-1273; [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 Greenwich, Washington County
  • Wildlife Management Unit: 5S
  • Map: Carters Pond WMA Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. The 446.5-acre management area is dedicated to Philip A. Dustin, an avid conservationist and charter member of the Waterfowl Improvement Association. The Association, a group of sportsmen, encouraged New York's acquisition of Carters Pond as a waterfowl management area.

Featured Activities

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.

Wildlife Management Unit: 5S

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

Ducks, woodcock, grouse, pheasants, and deer attract hunters to the area in October and November, although small game hunting is popular throughout the season. DEC releases ring-necked pheasants in the area prior to the youth and regular hunting seasons. Muskrats, mink, and foxes attract the most interest from trappers. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons).

Wildlife Management Unit: 5S

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

Ducks, woodcock, grouse, pheasants, and deer attract hunters to the area in October and November, although small game hunting is popular throughout the season. DEC releases ring-necked pheasants in the area prior to the youth and regular hunting seasons. Muskrats, mink, and foxes attract the most interest from trappers. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view trapping seasons).

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

A major summer and winter family activity at Carters Pond is fishing. Among the chief game fish species are largemouth bass, chain pickerel, crappie, northern pike, bluegill, sunfish, and bullhead. A hand boat launch is located off of Route 49 on Carter Pond. Electric motor boats are permitted.

The mile long Nature trail was constructed in 1980 by the combined efforts of the Washington County Youth Conservation Corps and members of the Waterfowl Improvement Association. In 2012, staff and volunteers made half of the loop into a fully accessible trail. The trail offers an opportunity to learn more about nature and examine the relationship between wildlife, habitat, soils, and climate. There are many species of trees, plants, fungi, and ferns to identify along the path in both upland and wetland habitat communities.

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

Carters Pond WMA is identified as a Bird Conservation Area (BCA). New York State BCAs are state-owned lands and waters designated to safeguard and enhance bird populations in New York State.

Deep emergent marsh, shrub swamp, forested wetlands, shrublands, and old fields provide habitat for pied-billed grebe (Threatened), least bittern (Threatened), osprey (Special Concern), Virginia rail, common moorhen, American coot, marsh wren, great blue heron, green heron, American black duck, blue-winged teal, and American woodcock.

Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Accessible Features

From the Calhoun Lane/Rt. 49 Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Boardwalk to viewing platform; and
  • Hiking trail

The trail is a 0.5 mile loop and has a gentle grade (max. slope 5%), wide tread (min. width 5 feet), and firm compacted stone surface.

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 Village of Greenwich, take State Route 29 east approximately 6.5 miles to County Route 49.

Turn left onto County Route 49 and continue north.

  • A large parking area is located on the right, 1.6 miles from the intersection of State Route 29 and County Route 49 which provides access to the universally accessible observation tower and nature trail (43.164528°N, 73.42373°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
  • A large parking area is located on the right 1.9 miles from the intersection of State Route 29 and County Route 49 which provides access to a car top boat launch for Carters Pond (43.1633987°N, 73.4160995°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions

Two other parking areas located in the northern part of the Carters Pond WMA can be accessed from Mill Road. Turn right onto Mill Road 3.5 miles from the County Route 49/State Route 29 intersection (43.180214°N,-73.41961°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions

  • The first parking is located on the right 0.5 mile from County Route 49.
  • Travel another 0.2 mile to the end of Mill Road, turn right onto Ferguson Road and a second parking lot will be on the right 0.2 mile from Mill Road.

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 Carters Pond Wildlife Management 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

Outdoor Safety Tips

NOTE: Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but especially so in the late spring and early fall. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme and several other diseases. More information on deer ticks and Lyme disease can be obtained from the NYS Department of Health.

Planning and Management

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Carters Pond WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife 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.

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Northern Piedmont 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

Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.

Gas, food and supplies, dining, and lodging is available in the nearby community of Greenwich.

State Lands and Facilities

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.

Important Links

Washington County Tourism
Adirondack Regional Tourism Council
NYS Department of Health
Leave No Trace
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