State Land

Morgan Hill State Forest

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Morgan Hill State Forest is a popular area because of its proximity to the Syracuse and Cortland areas. The forest spans 5,284 acres and includes Morgan Hill State Forest Multiple-Use Trail System, which was designed to offer many different opportunities for family-based recreation.

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are 13.1 miles of marked foot trails which connect the western part of the forest with Labrador Hollow Unique Area, and then continue east as part of the Finger Lakes Trail System and is also the North Country National Scenic Trail in this portion of NY. In addition, there are 11.5 miles of Public Forest Access Roads that run through the forest. These are best accessed during the summer and the fall.

Construction and stewardship of these trails is through a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement with the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and the dedicated individuals from the Adirondack Mountain Club-Onondaga Chapter

General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Primitive camping at Spruce Pond, from May 1 through September 30, requires a permit from the Lands and Forests office. Please call (607) 753-3095 ext. 217, M-F 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM to obtain a permit. For the remainder of the year, sites are available on a first come, first served basis.

Site-specific rules for Spruce Pond Camping Area include:

  • Camping is only permitted at one of the 10 designated sites.
  • Maximum number of people per permit is 9, with exception for special "group" camping.
  • No camping permit will be issued to individuals under 18 years of age.
  • All sites are tent camping only.
  • Cutting, defacing injuring in any manner, any live tree, shrub or plant is prohibited.
  • Campfires are permitted for cooking, warmth, or smudge. Use wood from dead and down trees only and use supplied fire rings. Fires must not be left unattended until fully extinguished.
  • Throwing glass, cans, aluminum foil, food wastes other non-burnable rubbish into the fire pit is prohibited.
  • Camping sites must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. What you carry in, carry out. All garbage and refuse must be removed from camp site.
  • No motorized vehicles are allowed on the forest or campsites.
  • All pets must be on a leash.
  • Swimming in the pond is prohibited.
  • Fishing is allowed at Spruce Pond only with valid fishing license.
  • No motorized boats are allowed on Spruce Pond.
  • No camping allowed in the Fisherman's Parking Area.
  • No overnight parking in the Fisherman's Parking Area unless utilizing the accessible parking for Site #1.
  • Target shooting, whether with gun or bow, is prohibited within the Spruce Pond Camping Zone.

Two additional drive-up, accessible camping sites are available on a first come, first served basis. The sites are located off of Morgan Hill Road, in close proximity to the forest's accessible trail. See map above and directions below.

The Spruce Pond camping area and the two drive-up accessible camping sites are located on seasonal roads with no winter maintenance or available parking nearby. Accessing these sites from November through March is not recommended.

Primitive camping is welcomed year-round throughout the forest, where safe and authorized access and parking allows. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

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

Fishing is a popular activity at the pond, which is regularly stocked with trout. Fishing information for Central NY is available.

General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips with links to rules and regulations.

There are currently 13 miles of primarily single-track multiple-use trail, with an additional 2 miles planned for construction in 2025. Construction and stewardship of these trails is through a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement with the local mountain bike group CNY D.I.R.T.

Wildlife Management Unit: 7M

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

Wildlife Management Unit: 7M

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

General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Winter recreation is encouraged with over 9.9 miles of snowmobile trails.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails.

General information on snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails.

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

The forests boasts a wide variety of mammals, song birds, raptors, and amphibians.

Accessible Features

From the Spruce Pond Camping Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Primitive campsite (Site 1); and
  • Portable toilet (seasonal)

The campsite is approx. 75 feet from the parking area.

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 NY 80 or NY 91, Morgan Hill State Forest may be accessed from Shackham Road. The forest may also be accessed by taking NY 13 toward Truxton, NY, and Route 91. Continue past Route 91 about 1.0 mile and then turn left onto Morgan Hill Road which runs into the southern portion of the forest and becomes a Public Forest Access Road.

  • MAPPWD parking off Morgan Hill Road (42.767846°N, 75.997552°W) Google Maps 
  • Herlihy Road parking (42.799217°N, 76.025689°W) Google Maps 
  • Shackham Road parking (42.794834°N, 76.009683°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 Morgan Hill 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 manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Hill and Hollow Unit Management Plan (PDF, 8MB). 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].

Forest Management

Morgan Hill's upland forests range from 1,200 to 2,000 feet in elevation, with several small valleys and creeks intermittently bisecting the almost completely forested landscape. Conifers comprise a significant portion of the forest. Native hardwoods and hemlock trees dominate the remainder of the landscape, contributing a vast array of potential habitats for many different species.

History

Morgan Hill State Forest was originally used by the Iroquois for hunting. Later the land was cleared for farming by Revolutionary War Veterans and early European settlers. The area's soils, however, are thin, relatively steep and acidic, and the growing seasons are short with long, harsh winters. This combination of factors resulted in land that was mostly unproductive and that would eventually be abandoned in pursuit of more productive lands in the Midwest.

The State Reforestation Law of 1929 and the Hewitt Amendment of 1931 were created by the Roosevelt Administration as a means for the state to take over the responsibility of managing abandoned farms, making them productive once more. Morgan Hill State Forest was one such area. The forest was established in the early 1930s by state foresters and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) with the planting of 4,840,424 conifer seedlings. Today, the approximately 70 year-old conifer forest covers more than forty-five percent of the area.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Tully and Cortland.

Cortland County Tourism Webpage and Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau 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.

Important Links

Hiking Safety
Hiking and Camping Rules
Regulations for the use of State Land
Finger Lakes Trail Conference
History of the CCC
Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau
Contact for this Page

NYSDEC Region 7 Cortland Sub-office
1285 Fisher Ave
Cortland, NY 13045

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