Keeney Swamp State Forest

• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 9 Almond Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), 585-466-3241; [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: Towns of Birdsall and Grove, Allegany County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 9P
• Map: Keeney Swamp State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Keeney Swamp State Forest covers a total of 2,408 acres and also borders the 708-acre Keeney Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It is part of a natural wetland complex that lies in the headwaters of Black Creek. Keeney Swamp is the only place in Allegany County (and one of only a handful of places in western New York State) where balsam fir occurs naturally. There are no designated trails but hiking is allowed throughout the property.

Directions

From Interstate 86, take exit 34N and head north on Route 36. After 6.8 miles, turn left onto Route 70 and continue for 5.6 miles, then turn left onto County Route 15B. In 1.3 miles, turn right at the fork onto County Route 15A, then in 3.8 miles turn left onto Fitch Hill Spur Forest Road. This will take you first through Keeney Swamp WMA and will lead to Keeney Swamp State Forest. The state forest can also be accessed from County Routes 15B and 16. Fitch Hill Road runs between County Routes 15B and 16 and connects to several state forest roads.

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

• Fitch Hill Spur Forest Road parking area on neighboring Keeney Swamp WMA (42.421365°N, 77.907359°W) Google Maps 
• County Route 15A parking area, with capacity for 10 cars or 5 cars with trailers (42.429915°N, 77.91644°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 Keeney Swamp 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 has developed a Draft Allegany Unit State Forests Unit Management Plan (UMP) which describes the proposed management activities for these lands. 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].

Timber Management

The forest cover types on Keeney Swamp State Forest are a mixture of native hardwoods, native conifers and planted conifers. The upland slopes are primarily hardwood species such as sugar maple, white ash, red maple and beech. Considerable amounts of native hemlock and balsam fir grow along the edges of the wetland areas. The old fields were planted with a variety of conifer species, including red pine, Scotch pine, white pine, larch and spruce.

The hardwood stands are managed through a series of thinnings to remove the lower quality trees and give more growing space to the best quality trees. The hardwood tops are generally left in place to decay and recycle their nutrients back into the soil. The decaying tops also provide bedding and nesting cover for wildlife such as white-tailed deer and wild turkeys.

Periodic thinnings in the red pine plantations have allowed the native hardwoods to seed into the sunlit openings. Many of the pine stands have reached maturity and the remaining overstory is now being removed to allow the hardwoods to grow to maturity. These "early-successional" hardwood stands provide an important habitat component for a variety of songbird species, as well as ruffed grouse and woodcock.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Keeney Swamp Wildlife Management Area
• Gas Springs State Forest
• Gillies Hill State Forest
• Hiltonville State Forest
• Jersey Hill State Forest
• English Hill State Forest

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas can be found in the nearby communities of Canaseraga and Hornell.
• Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Canaseraga and Hornell.
• Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Angelica, Canaseraga and Hornell.
• Lodging opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Angelica and Hornell.

Allegany 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.

History

The swamp is named after an early resident, Fred Keeney, who operated a sawmill and owned extensive property in the area. Much of the swamp was drained and cultivated for a time, but eventually the farmland was abandoned and became flooded once again thanks in large part to the local beaver population.

In the 1930s, Keeney Swamp State Forest was the site of many work projects carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the Depression. CCC projects included constructing roads and planting thousands of pine and spruce trees in the abandoned fields on the upland areas of the property. The Birdsall CCC camp, S-117, was located on this state forest along what is now County Route 16.

The former Pittsburg, Shawmut and Northern Railroad passed through the eastern portion of the state forest and the adjacent WMA. This railroad ran from St. Mary's, PA to Perkinsville, NY. Abandoned in 1947, the elevated railroad embankment running through the swamp has provided a handy starting point for numerous beaver dams.