Nine Mile State Forest

• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 9 Allegany Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 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: Towns of Allegany and Great Valley, Cattaraugus County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 9T
• Map: Nine Mile State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Nine Mile State Forest consists of 3,162 acres. The most common recreational uses of this area are hunting, hiking, and biking.

Parts of an old road system provide public access to the forest, but some sections are not open to vehicles. Historically there were public roads from Townsend Hollow Road to the south and Snow Brook Road to the north, but today the only vehicle access is from the North Nine Mile Road. Townsend Hollow Road access is via foot traffic only and there is no parking provided.

Directions

Take Exit 23 off Interstate 86 and head north on Route 219, then turn right onto Route 417. After 2.3 miles, turn left onto North Nine Mile Road and drive north to Nine Mile State forest. There are no designated parking areas on the unit but roadside parking is available. The state forest is located at 42.132240°N, 78.558786°W - Google Maps. 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 Nine Mile 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 Cattaraugus Unit Management Plan 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

State Forests are managed for multiple uses. They provide a source of raw material for New York's forest products industry which provides employment and income for many New Yorkers. They are managed for wildlife by the creation and maintenance of various habitats for many wildlife species by using various timber management techniques. They are also managed to provide recreational opportunities and for watershed protection.

Conifer - The stands of pine, larch and spruce were planted in old farm fields as they need open areas with direct sunlight to thrive. These have been or will be converted to hardwood trees by removal of the conifer overstory to allow the hardwood seedlings that usually exist in these stands to grow to maturity.

Hardwood - Hardwood trees are not usually planted as they spread vast amounts of seed and naturally grow and regenerate. Thinning of the forest through the sale of forest products gives the residual trees more growing space. This helps to keep the forest healthy and provides openings for new seedlings, a revolving supply of food and cover for wildlife, and a source of future crop trees. Some forest stands will contain large trees, giving an illusion of old growth, but in almost all cases they are not. These stands have been harvested prior to state ownership or managed during state ownership to favor large trees.

Most timber on this property had been cut by the timber company before the land was sold to New York State. Now, after a half century of DEC management, many mature stands exist and are ready to be harvested and regenerated to keep the forest healthy and sustainable.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Rock City and McCarty Hill State Forests
• Windfall Creek State Forest
• Raecher Hill State Forest
• Golden Hill State Forest
• Allegany State Park

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, food and other supplies, dining opportunities, and lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Allegany, Ellicottville, Olean and Salamanca.

Cattaraugus County Tourism 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.

History

In the 1930s, Nine Mile State Forest was the site of many work projects carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC. The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the depression. CCC projects included the construction of roads and the planting of thousands of pine, larch and spruce trees in the open areas on the property.

Much of Nine Mile State Forest was owned by a timber company before it was a State Forest. There were many sawmills in this area, both on State Forest Land and the adjacent private property. The remains of a dam can be seen along Bowers Hollow which is adjacent to Phearsdorf Forest Road near the turnaround at the end of the road. The remains of another mill can be seen along Nine Mile Creek just off Nine Mile Forest Road.

A farm was located on what is now the Phearsdorf Forest Road, and remains of the structures can be located today. A house was located near a large Norway spruce near the road and another much older house location is near a Norway spruce out in the field. According to local legend, a civil war veteran who lived in that house tried to get rid of a wasp nest in the eaves of the house by burning the nest and burned the house to the ground. The only evidence of the house is a small hole in the ground next to the Norway spruce tree.