State Land

R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest

On this page
  • Open for recreation: Year-round
R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest location

The 1,293-acre R. Milton Hick State Forest features all stages of the cycle of forest management: mature mixed hardwoods, softwood plantations, young growth, and recent logging. The unit was one of many properties purchased by the State back in the 1930s in order to reforest marginal and abandoned farm land and return it to a more productive use.

 

Featured Activities

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

R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest features a 4.75-mile cross country ski trail that can be used for hiking in the summer months. There is trailhead parking located on Perry Hill Road, approximately 1.3 miles from Otsego County Route 34. The trail can be taken in a short loop (about 2 miles), or a longer loop of about 3 miles. The longer 3-mile loop climbs a small ridge and offers scenic views west.

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

No primitive campsites exist on R. Milton Hick State Forest, but primitive camping is allowed. 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 fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Fishing is permitted at R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest. A pond on the east side of LaFleure Road within R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest, supports some warm water fish such as bass, sunfish and bullhead. Additionally, R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest includes two other classified Trout streams, each crosses Perry Hill Road at the north and south ends of the forest.

Wildlife Managment Unit: 4F

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

R. Milton Hick State Forest is open to hunting during appropriate seasons. There are a number of young spruce plantations on this forest, which provide good habitat for rabbit. Other wildlife expected to occur on this area include whitetailed deer, squirrel, grouse and turkey along with mink, raccoon, fox, coyote and bobcat.

Wildlife Managment Unit: 4F

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

R. Milton Hick State Forest is open to hunting and trapping during appropriate seasons. There are a number of young spruce plantations on this forest, which provide good habitat for rabbit. Other wildlife expected to occur on this area include whitetailed deer, squirrel, grouse and turkey along with mink, raccoon, fox, coyote and bobcat.

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

R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest features a 4.75 mile cross-country ski trail with trailhead parking located on Perry Hill Road, approximately 1.3 miles from Otsego County Route 34. The trail can be taken in a short loop (about 2-miles), or a longer loop of about 3 miles. The longer 3 mile loop climbs a small ridge and offers scenic views west.

These trails are maintained by the Susquehanna chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

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

R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest features a 4.75 mile cross-country ski trail with trailhead parking located on Perry Hill Road, approximately 1.3 miles from Otsego County Route 34. The trail can be taken in a short loop (about 2-miles), or a longer loop of about 3 miles. The longer 3 mile loop climbs a small ridge and offers scenic views west.

These trails are maintained by the Susquehanna chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

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

R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest features 1.7 miles of a designated snowmobile trail system that crosses the northwest corner of R. Milton Hick State Forest. This trail is signed and maintained by a local snowmobile club, the Milford Snow Trekkers.

Directions

  • R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest Parking Area is located on Perry Hill Road approximately 1-mile South of its intersection with NYS Route 165. (42.695882°N, 74.763549°W) Google Map.

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 R. Milton Hick Memorial 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.

Specific Rules

Biking and horseback riding are all permitted activities on South Hill State Forest, but there are no designated trails for these activities.

Snowmobiles are not permitted to travel through new plantations.

Planning and Management

DEC is developing a management plan which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain 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].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas, food and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Cherry Valley, Cooperstown, Richmondville, Roseboom, Sharon Springs and Worcester.
  • Dining opportunities may be found in the nearby communities of Cherry Valley, Cooperstown, Pleasant Brook, Richmondville, Sharon Springs and Worcester.
  • Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Cooperstown, Pleasant Brook and Sharon Springs.

Cooperstown/Otsego 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.

This Page Covers
Region 4 - Capital Region/Northern Catskills
Icon