Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area

• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 6 Herkimer Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:30PM), (315) 866-6330; [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: Town of Marcy and City of Utica, Oneida County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6P, 6S
• Map: Utica Marsh WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a unique urban wetland. The mixture of cattail wetlands, wet meadows, open water pools, and flooded willows create a diverse marsh habitat that harbors a tremendous variety of plants and animals, especially birds.

Directions

The WMA is situated on the border of the City of Utica and the Town of Marcy, and between the Mohawk River on the south and the New York State Barge Canal on the north. Currently, access to the area requires a walk along the New York State Canalway Trail of between 1 and 1.5 miles. Visitors can access the scenic Canalway Trail from the parking area located off of North Genesee Street. See map at the top of the webpage for details. Call the Herkimer Office at 315-866-6330 for additional questions about access or wildlife resources on the WMA.

• North Genesee Street parking area (43.112457°N, 75.217591°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions 

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 Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area must follow all Wildlife Management Area Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Activity Rules & Regulations

• Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) - updated in 2022
• Trapping Regulations
• Fishing Regulations

Prohibited activities at Utica Marsh WMA include:

• hunting

For a complete list of all WMA rules and regulations please see the Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF).

Outdoor Safety Tips

• Hiking Safety Tips

NOTE: Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but especially so in the late spring and early fall. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme and several other diseases. More information on deer ticks and Lyme disease can be obtained from the NYS Department of Health.

How We Manage Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Utica Marsh WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.

In the late 1970s, the City of Utica awarded DEC 50 acres of river flood plain with the condition that the state begin buying additional land here and managing this wetland area. Now the WMA contains 213 acres, an observation tower, a wildlife viewing site, and several hiking trails.

View the Habitat Management Plan for Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in February 2017, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.

• Oneida County Tourism

State Lands and Facilities

• Oriskany Flats WMA

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.