Chazy Highlands Wildlife Management Area

• Open for Recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (518) 897-1291; [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 Dannemora, Clinton County at the northern edge of the Adirondack Park
• Wildlife Management Unit: 5C
• Map: Chazy Highlands WMA Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Chazy Highlands Wildlife Management (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is approximately 1,001 acres. The land was acquired from Albert Bailey, Lloyd Bailey and Peter Blahey by the state in several phases under the 1972 and 1986 Environmental Bond Acts for wetland preservation.

The WMA includes underwater lands of Upper Chateaugay Lake, a wetland complex at the South Inlet, and some upland forest in the transitional area between the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence River Valley. Additional Upper Chateaugay Lake wetland parcels were purchased to the south of Chazy Highlands WMA, but since these parcels lie in the Town of Bellmont, Franklin County, they are classified as Forest Preserve and not WMA. The majority of Chazy Highlands WMA is a large wetland consisting of open water channels and low bog vegetation. Humans have used this area for agriculture, timber harvesting, hunting, trapping, and fishing for centuries.

Directions

• Chazy Highlands WMA is primitive and access is limited. Primary access is by water at the state boat launch on Upper Chateaugay Lake, located 4 miles north of the WMA off Route 374 (44.77353°N, 73.98013°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
• State Forest Preserve borders the WMA to the south and provides free access; however there are no public roads, trails, or parking. A visitor may park along the Wolf Pond Road in Standish near the intersection of the "Gate Road" and hike 1.2 miles down the "Gate Road" and along the old rail road bed to the Forest Preserve boundary line, and continue another 0.5 miles along the blazed and painted boundary line to the WMA, or simply bushwhack from anywhere along the "Gate Road" (44.69121°N, 73.962064°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions

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 Chazy Highlands 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

• Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) - updated in 2022
• Hunting Regulations
• Trapping Regulations
• Fishing Regulations

Outdoor Safety Tips

• Hunting Safety Tips
• Hiking 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.

How We Manage Chazy Highlands Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Chazy Highlands 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.

Chazy Highlands WMA is currently unmanaged and unmaintained. DEC's Bureau of Wildlife recently acquired this parcel of land for improving wildlife habitat and opportunities for wildlife dependent recreation. Future management goals will be determined upon approval of the draft Unit Management Plan. Wildlife habitat management, improving public access, and infrastructure maintenance and repair are important to the mission of the Bureau of Wildlife.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

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

Gas, dining, food, and supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Lyon Mountain and Redford. Lodging is available in the nearby communities of Malone or Plattsburgh.

• North Country Chamber of Commerce
• The Adirondack Coast

State Lands and Facilities

• Chazy Highlands State Forest
• Chazy Highlands Wild Forest
• Debar Mountain Wild Forest

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.