State Land

Sugar Hill State Forest

Top Sugar Hill State Forest

Open for recreation: Year-round
Fee: Free
Contact Information:
- DEC Region 8 Bath Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM), (607) 622-8282; [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 Orange, Tyrone, Reading and Dix, Schuyler County
Wildlife Management Unit: 8W
Map: Sugar Hill Map North (GeoPDF) || Sugar Hill Map South (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Six Nations Brochure (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 9,085-acre Sugar Hill State Forest has the multiple-use Six Nations Trail System, the Finger Lakes Hiking Trail, the Sugar Hill Recreation Area including the Sugar Hill Fire Tower, and five lean-tos.

Today, Sugar Hill and all state forests in New York are managed for multiple benefits to serve the needs of the people of New York. Sustainable management practices will ensure a perpetual supply of timber, a diversity of wildlife habitats, compatible recreational opportunities and clean water.

Featured Activities

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

The Sugar Hill Recreation Area, located at 3360 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY, is the largest designated camping area on Sugar Hill State Forest. Available on a first-come first-serve basis, the area is a nine-acre open field for camping. These 26 designated campsites have fire rings and picnic tables. Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.

Other facilities in the Rec Area include; a picnic area with picnic tables and pavilion, an accessible horse-mounting platform, open horse stalls, during summer months a restroom with potable water are available, and access to the Six Nations Trail System, as well as the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. The gate is opened to vehicle traffic, and the water turned on, from the 3rd Monday in May through the 3rd Monday in October of each year.

The Lower Evergreen Hill Rec Area, located off of Evergreen Hill Rd, is smaller and has picnic tables, fire rings, open horse stalls and a pit privy. New for 2021, three campsites have been designated. No trash pickup is provided. This is a carry in-carry out facility.

Individual campsites are located throughout the State Forest. These 19 additional primitive designated camping sites are semi-flat spots, some are graveled parking areas, others are small openings set back in the woods on topsoil, most with no other facilities provided.

Primitive backcountry 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. No trash pickup is provided. These are carry-in, carry-out facilities.

Lean-to Camping :There are five Adirondack-style lean-tos at four different locations. Lean-tos must be shared to their capacity on a first-come, first-use basis, with no exclusive reservation allowed.

Buck Settlement Lean-to on the Finger Lakes Trail north of Templar Road and near Glen Creek;
Parks Hollow Lean-to on Mohawk Trail, north of Sugar Hill Road;
the Twin Lean-to's (Sugar Hill Lean-to #1 and #2) - on Seneca Trail, south of the Sugar Hill Rec Area;
and VanZandt Lean-to - on Seneca Trail, east of Tower Hill Road.

No trash pickup is provided. These are a carry in-carry out facilities.

Wildlife Management Unit: 8W

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

Sugar Hill State Forest offers both small and big game hunting opportunities. White-tailed deer is the primary big game species. Small game include wild turkey, ruffed grouse, pheasant, woodcock, squirrels, cottontail rabbit, and waterfowl. Permanent tree stands and any equipment that damages trees are prohibited.

Wildlife Management Unit: 8W

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

Small game include wild turkey, ruffed grouse, pheasant, woodcock, squirrels, cottontail rabbit, and waterfowl. Permanent tree stands and any equipment that damages trees are prohibited.

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

Located on the area is a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail (foot traffic only). Maintenance is done by the volunteers of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (leaves DEC website) under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement. It is also a segment of The North Country National Scenic Trail (leaves DEC website). In addition, the multiple use Six Nations Trail System is a series of loops and spurs, covering about 35 miles.

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

Spencer Pond is a one-acre, warm water, man-made pond on Tower Hill Road.

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

The Six Nations Trail System is a series of loops and spurs, covering about 35 miles. Primarily horseback riding during the summer months, and snowmobile in the winter months when there is sufficient snow cover. In addition, hikers and cross-country skiers are welcome to use the trail system. Caution should be taken on some of the steeper sections along the trails. The main trail head is located at the Sugar Hill Rec Area on Tower Hill Road. A portion of the trail system is located on Goundry Hill State Forest. Some maintenance is done by the volunteers of the Trail Tamers Snowmobile Club (leaves DEC website) under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement.

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

Proof of current negative Coggins certificate is required for all horses and out-of-state horse owners are required to produce a 30-day health certificate.

Caution should be taken on some of the steeper sections along the trails. The main trailhead is located at the Sugar Hill Rec Area and includes a horse-mounting platform and stalls. A portion of the trail system is located on Goundry Hill State Forest. Some maintenance is done by the volunteers of the Trail Tamers Snowmobile Club (leaves DEC website) under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement.

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

New York's Finger Lakes encompasses a wide variety of habitats and landscapes made up of mountainous hills, forests, grasslands and wetlands. Everything from black bear to black-throated blue warblers and brook trout to wild turkey reside in the Finger Lakes of New York. The grasslands are home to a variety of bird species including northern harriers and state-endangered Henslow's sparrows. White-tailed deer and fisher thrive in the forested hills, while beaver and mink flourish in the wetlands. Visitors from across New York State flock to this area year round for its exquisite wildlife watching and unbeatable hunting.

Accessible Features

From the Sugar Hill Recreation Area Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

Picnic area;
Primitive campsite;
Equestrian mounting platform; and
Restroom

The picnic area is approx. 50 feet from the parking area. The campsite is one of the 26 campsites in a nine-acre open field for camping with restrooms. The campsite has a fire ring and picnic table.

From the Lower Evergreen Hill Recreation Area Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

Picnic area; and
Privy

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

Sugar Hill Rec Area Parking Lot - From Schuyler County Route 23, go south on Tower Hill Road, from Schuyler CR 16 go north on CR 21, then west on Tower Hill Road. The entrance is on the south side of Tower Hill Road. (42.390522°N, 77.003308°W) Google Maps
Lower Evergreen Hill Rec Area Parking Lot - From Schuyler CR 23 go south on CR 21 then west on CR 16 then north on Evergreen Hill Road. The entrance is on the west side of Tower Hill Road. (42.330149°N, 77.023156°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 Sugar 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.

Follow the NYS firewood regulation to protect the forests you love from invasive insects and diseases.

Specific Rules

Sugar Hill Recreation Area Guidelines:

Quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Clean up after all your animals
No pets in bathrooms.
No smoking in any buildings, including stalls.
No horses in the picnic/fire tower area, or the side hill of the camping area.
No loose horses, dogs or other pets in the Sugar Hill Recreation Area.
No paddocks or electric fencing in camping or picnic area. Paddock and electric fence only in radio tower area.
No camper hookups to water spigot or electrical outlets.
No littering, use provided trash cans or "carry it in - carry it out".
No damaging live trees, including tying horses directly to them.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Six Nations Unit Management Plan (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains 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]

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

Gas, food and other supplies as well as dining and lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Corning and Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance 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.