Taylor Valley State Forest

• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 7 Cortland Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (607) 753-3095; [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 Cuyler, Solon, Taylor and Truxton, Cortland County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 7M
• Map: Taylor Valley State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Taylor Valley State Forest, also known as Seacord Hill, encompasses 4,638 acres. It is a popular area for recreational activities such as: hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, camping, bird watching, and nature viewing. Cheningo Day Use Area is located on the forest and features picnic tables and barbeque pits.

Directions

Taylor Valley State Forest may be accessed by taking NY Route 41 toward Solon and turning onto Telephone Road. Turn left onto Kiwanis Road, and another immediate left onto the Mount Roderick Public Forest Access Road to access the western portion of the forest. Continue down Telephone Road to Hawley Woods Road, and then finally turn left onto Taylor Valley Road to access the eastern portion of the forest.

• Taylor Valley Road: (42.637895°N,75.967897°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 Taylor Valley 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 manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Taylor Valley Unit Management Plan (PDF). 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].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Baker School House State Forest
• Cuyler State Forest
• Dog Hollow State Forest
• Donahue Woods State Forest

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby community of Cortland.

Cortland 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.

History

The Taylor Valley landscape is woven with a mix of northern hardwoods, hemlock, and conifer plantations. The wildlife and plants on both sides of the valley are quite abundant, and a large wetland complex located in the area only adds to the variety of available habitats, allowing for a rich and diverse collection of species. One of the most unique characteristics of this state forest is that it includes a valley that was carved out by glacial movement thousands of years ago.

Taylor Valley State Forest was purchased by the state between 1931 and 1967 with an additional purchase in 1977. During the 1930s, the Roosevelt Administration, under the State Reforestation Act and the Hewitt Amendment, made it possible for hundreds of young men to secure jobs working on the reforestation of many unproductive and abandoned farms.

Through the hard work and great effort of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), thousands of tree seedlings were planted on land that once was used for agricultural purposes. The Truxton CCC Camp S-118 was originally located in the area now occupied by the Cheningo Day Use Area, a popular attraction at Taylor Valley State Forest.