Cliffside State Forest

• Open for recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 7 Cortland Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (607) 753-3095; [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: Newfield, Tompkins County and Cayuta, Schuyler County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 7R
• Map: Cliffside State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Cliffside State Forest encompasses 977 acres. It is a perfect place for activities that can be enjoyed in a primitive forest setting such as hunting, fishing and trapping. As the name suggests, much of the Cliffside State Forest is actually on the side of a fairly steep cliff. The forest is part of a block of nearly 14,000 acres of public open space owned and managed by DEC. Cornell University owns and manages approximately 4,000 acres adjacent to Cliffside State Forest.

Directions

From Ithaca, take State Route 13 south for about 14 miles to Cayuta Road, turn left onto Cayuta Road and travel southeast for about 2 miles into the hamlet of Cayuta. Turn left on State Route 224 and head southeast for about 0.25 mile; turn left on Johnson Road and make an immediate left onto the Railroad Haul Road for public fishing access along Cayuta Creek and to access the State Forest. Parking is available 0.7 miles up the Railroad Haul Road.

There is no public access to the state forest from Johnson Road; please respect DEC's neighbors.

• State Route 224 Access: (42.25596°N, 76.67333°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 Cliffside 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 accepted comments on the draft Newfield Unit Management Plan (UMP) through June 5, 2022. If you have questions or comments about this UMP, please email [email protected].

History

Prior to European settlement, the lands within and surrounding Cliffside State Forest were Native American hunting and fishing grounds, and the neighboring Cayuta Creek was used for transportation to the Susquehanna River. In fact, the word Cayuta is believed to be of Native American origin. Cliffside State Forest was originally cleared and farmed by European settlers and Revolutionary War Veterans. The neighboring hamlet of Cayuta was formed in March of 1824. Lumbering has always been an important part of the local economy. The first water-powered sawmill was built in 1816 on Cayuta Creek. In 1928, Burton J. Cotton and Howard A. Hanlon built a sawmill in the hamlet in Cayuta. The sawmill, now owned by Wagner Lumber Company, continues to produce locally grown hardwood lumber.

Originally part of the Watkins and Flint purchase, about 891 acres of the Cliffside State Forest (nearly 90%) was acquired from the federal government in January of 1956. From 1933 to 1937, as part of the Roosevelt Administration's New Deal, the federal government purchased about 8 million acres in the Southern Appalachians through what was called the "submarginal" land purchase program. The program purchased land with limited crop production capacity such as the Cliffside State Forest and in some cases promoted the resettlement of farm families whose lands had been bought by the federal government. The remaining 86 acres of the Cliffside State Forest was acquired from the Lehigh Railroad in 1985.

Today, article 9, Titles 5 and 7 of the Environmental Conservation Law give DEC the authority and responsibility to manage state forest lands outside the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Management, as defined by these laws, includes watershed protection, the production of timber and other forest products, recreation and kindred purposes. As the forest has regrown over the past 70 years, Cliffside State Forest has been transformed into a landscape that provides many different ecological, economic and recreational products, services and values for the people of New York State. These products and services include clean water, carbon storage, nutrient recycling and wildlife habitat and locally grown forest products such as pulpwood, firewood and sawtimber.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Newfield State Forest
• Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Watkins Glen, Horseheads and Ithaca.

Tompkins County Tourism Office and Schuyler 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.