State Land

Wassaic Multiple Use Area

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Map of Wassaic Multiple Use Area

Wassaic Multiple Use Area is a 488-acre state forest. This area does not currently feature any marked trails, however the entire area is open to non-motorized recreation.

Featured Activities

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

Wassaic Multiple Use Area does not have any marked trails, however hiking is permitted throughout the entire property.

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

At-large 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.

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

Ten Mile River may be accessed for fishing via the Ten Mile River Road parking area, located off of Route 22.

Southeastern NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3G

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

Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. Various game species and furbearers found on the unit include white tail deer, pheasant, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3G

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

Trapping is allowed during appropriate seasons. Various game species and furbearers found on the unit include white tail deer, pheasant, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Wassaic Multiple Use Area is open to cross-country skiing in the winter. There are no marked trails, however cross-country skiing is permitted throughout the entire property.

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

Wassaic Multiple Use Area is open to snowshoeing in the winter. There are no marked trails, however snowshoeing is permitted throughout the entire property.

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

Wassaic Multiple Use Area features an abundance of wildlife. Due to the largely undisturbed forest, an abundance of wildlife can be seen ranging from white tail deer and turkey to waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel.

Directions

  • Ten Mile River Road Parking area off of Route 22, (41.773988°N, 73.576079°W) Google Maps 
  • Parking area off of Tower Hill Road, (41.788549°N, 73.5780982°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 Wassaic Multiple Use Area 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

Horseback riding and mountain biking are permitted on this property, however, there are no trails currently maintained for these activities.

Planning and Management

DEC is developing a 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 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].

Timber Management

Timber stands are classified as either conifer plantations, meaning they were planted, or natural hardwoods, meaning they regenerate without human assistance. Stands of introduced pine, spruce or larch are planted in old farm fields, because they need open areas with direct sunlight to thrive. Such stands usually grow for about 80 to 100 years depending on species and soil conditions. They are usually managed by a series of partial thinnings. These thinnings provide sunlight openings in the canopy to encourage natural regeneration of native hardwoods. Removal of the conifer overstory in a final harvest allows hardwood seedlings to grow to maturity. There may be areas where the stand could be replanted with conifers if certain conditions exist.

Hardwood trees are not usually planted, as they spread vast amounts of seed and thereby naturally regenerate. Periodic thinning of hardwood forest stands through the sale of forest products gives the residual trees more growing space. This helps keep the forest healthy and provides openings for new seedlings, which in turn provide a revolving supply of food and cover for wildlife and are a source of future crop trees.

Hardwood stands are managed in either of two silvicultural styles, uneven aged or even aged. With uneven aged management, trees of all sizes and ages are maintained at all times throughout the stands, which will generally contain large trees giving an illusion of old growth. At Wassaic MUA, the hardwood stands were harvested just prior to state ownership. With even aged management, all of the hardwood trees within the stand are maintained at about the same age.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas, dining, lodging, food and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Dover Plains, Amenia and Kent.

Dutchess County Tourism Webpage 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.

Important Links

Dutchess County Tourism
Contact for this Page

NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters
21 S Putt Cors
New Paltz, NY 12561

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Region 3 - Lower Hudson Valley
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