State Land

Stone Store State Forest

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  • Open for recreation: Year-round
Stone Store State Forest location

The 732-acre Stone Store State Forest was purchased for the people of New York State for reforestation, timber production, recreational use, watershed protection and wildlife habitat. Stone Store State Forest features hunting, trapping and primitive camping opportunities. Hiking is allowed on all state forests but there are no designated trails on this property.

 

Featured Activities

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

There are no designated campsites; however, at-large 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 hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations.

Stone Store State Forest is open to hunting in appropriate seasons. Big game hunting, especially for white tail deer, is a particularly popular activity on Stone Store State Forest. The area also supports populations of small game such as turkey, squirrel, grouse, rabbit, raccoon, fox, and coyote. Hunting opportunities vary with habitat conditions. By maintaining a diversity of forest types, many different kinds of wildlife species can thrive.

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

Stone Store State Forest is open to trapping in appropriate seasons.

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

Directions

Stone Store Road and Fawn Ridge Road are the main roads used to access this State Forest. There are no designated parking areas but road side parking is available in the State Forest. All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Fawn Ridge Road: 42.504289°N, 74.315559°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 Stone Store 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

  • Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, snowmobiling and horseback riding are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.

How We Manage Stone Store State Forest

DEC is developing a unit 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 & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at [email protected].

The forests on Stone Store State Forest are managed to provide for recreational opportunities and timber crops while protecting and improving wildlife habitat, water quality, and aesthetics. By periodically thinning the forest through the sale of pulpwood and timber, remaining trees are given more growing space. This helps to keep the forest healthy while providing openings for new seedling growth. A constant supply of new trees provides food for wildlife and is a source of future forest crops.

The stands of pine and spruce on Stone Store State Forest were originally planted on old farm fields. Seedlings of spruce and pine must be planted in open areas with direct sunlight in order to survive. These stands are usually managed by a series of partial thinnings followed at the end of the growing cycle by a clear cut and replanting. In some cases, if there are enough seedlings present at the end of the growing cycle, it is not necessary to replant after a clear cut. Most people do not find clear cuts attractive for the first two or three years after the mature trees have been removed. However, the openings created by clear cuts provide important elements of habitat for certain wildlife species which would not otherwise be available. Younger plantations, for example, provide cover for wildlife.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

DEC Lands & Facilities

Gas may be found in the nearby communities of Middleburgh and Rensselearville.
Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby community Middleburgh.
Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Middleburgh, Preston-Potter Hollow and Rensselearville.

Schoharie County Tourism Office 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. The forests on Stone Store State Forest are managed to provide for recreational opportunities and timber crops while protecting and improving wildlife habitat, water quality, and aesthetics. By periodically thinning the forest through the sale of pulpwood and timber, remaining trees are given more growing space. This helps to keep the forest healthy while providing openings for new seedling growth. A constant supply of new trees provides food for wildlife and is a source of future forest crops.

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Region 4 - Capital Region/Northern Catskills
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