
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (518) 897-1291; [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 Wilton and Northumberland, Saratoga County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 5J
- Map: Saratoga Sand Plains WMA Map (PDF) || Saratoga Sand Plains WMA Camp - Saratoga Map (PDF) || Saratoga Sand Plains WMA - Old Gick Farm Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Saratoga Sand Plains Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a matrix of 1,000 acres of state lands on several separate parcels. The majority of the acreage is in two contiguous parcels-Camp Saratoga (6.0 miles of trail) and the Old Gick Farm (1.9 miles of trail)-that lie east of the Northway, west of Route 50, and south of Ballard Road. There is a wildlife viewing platform on the Old Gick Trail 0.5 miles from the trailhead. There are two additional parcels located off nearby Colebrook Road. Additionally, the Saratoga Sand Plains WMA Archery Range is located on Route 50, just north of Wilton Mall.
A number of habitats and natural communities are found in the Saratoga Sand Plains, including deep water wetlands, rare pine barren vernal ponds, ephemeral wetlands in open areas, and oak-pine savannah-which consists of grass and wildflower meadows with scattered oak and pitch pine trees.
Saratoga Sand Plains is associated with the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Study Area and is located within a state-designated Priority Conservation Area and the state and federally-designated Karner blue butterfly recovery areas. DEC works closely with its partners-Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, The Nature Conservancy, Town of Wilton, Town of Northumberland, and Saratoga County-to manage these lands. Visit the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park web site at www.wiltonpreserve.org.