Great Baehre Swamp Wildlife Management Area

• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 9 Allegany Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), (716) 372-0645; [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 Amherst, Erie County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 9C (Hunting is not permitted)
• Map: Great Baehre Swamp WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Great Baehre Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This 270-acre WMA is located adjacent to the Town of Amherst's Conservation Park. The area consists of nearly 260 acres of shrub swamp, emergent marsh, and open water wetlands and approximately 10 acres of brush and grassland.

The land was acquired in 1989 by the DEC with funding provided by the Environmental Quality Bond Act of 1986. As mitigation for wetland impacts, the Town of Amherst (under a stewardship agreement) built a 1,300-foot boardwalk through the area which connects state land to their neighboring town park.

Accessible Features

From the Billy Watson Park Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Hiking trail with boardwalk

The Great Baehre Swamp boardwalk is 0.25 mile one way and has a gentle grade (max. slope 8%), wide tread (min. width 3 feet), and firm boardwalk 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 Interstate 290, take exit 6. If coming from the east turn right onto Route 324. If coming from the west, turn right onto Route 240, then right onto Route 324.

Then turn left onto Hopkins Road and continue until you reach the parking area on the left at Billy Wilson Park (formerly Margaret Louise Park).

• Parking lot and boardwalk trailhead (43.013962°N, 78.738852°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 Great Baehre Swamp 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
• Trapping Regulations

Prohibited activities at Great Baehre Swamp WMA include:

• Hunting
• Fishing

For a complete list of all WMA rules and regulations please see the Wildlife Management Area Regulations PDF above.

Outdoor 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 Great Baehre Swamp Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Great Baehre Swamp is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (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.

One of the principal management objectives for this WMA is to provide habitat for a variety of resident and migratory species and to permit compatible wildlife-related recreational use.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

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

• Visit Buffalo Niagara 

State Lands and Facilities

• Tillman Road Wildlife Management Area
• Amherst State Park 
• Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center

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.