DeRuyter State Forest

• Open for recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 7 Sherburne Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (607)-674-4017; [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 DeRuyter, Madison County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 7M
• Map: DeRuyter State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 972-acre DeRuyter State Forest has a horse carriage trail that runs from north to south through the center of the forest. A public snowmobile trail passes through the property also running north to south. A section of the North County National Scenic Trail crosses the forest running east to west.

Directions

This forest is located just west of State Route 13 in the Town of DeRuyter and is easily accessed from Fairbanks, Stanton and Tromp Roads.

• North Fairbanks Road (42.819562°N, 75.85572°W) Google Maps
• South Fairbanks Road (42.807561°N, 75.853885°W) Google Maps
• Tromp Road (42.819375°N, 75.862883°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 Deruyter 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 Tioughnioga Draft 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 [email protected].

History

DeRuyter State Forest occupies a narrow ridge-top with a deep cut channel that feeds the Middle Branch of the Tioughnioga Creek. The 1875 Atlas of Madison County reveals a well established population of farmers in and around what is today DeRuyter State Forest. Cheese factories, sawmills and tanneries operated throughout the town and the New York, Oswego & Midland and the Cazenovia & Canastota Railroads linked distant markets with local farm and manufactured goods. During the late 19th century DeRuyter was a wide open landscape of farms, and fields and one could look west from Stanton Road and see the shimmering light reflected from DeRuyter Reservoir, built in 1863 as a feeder to the Erie Canal. Soon, however, industrialization and heeds to the cry of "go west young man" drew people away from rural New York and the pastures and cropland of DeRuyter that once fueled the local economy were slowly reclaimed by native forest.

Using funds authorized from the State Reforestation Act of 1929, the Conservation Department (now DEC) purchased land from, among others, Charles Boyd, Fred Hurt, Anna Granville and George Congers to create DeRuyter State Forest. Beginning in 1935, recruits from the Civilian Conservation Corp Camp S-103, located in DeRuyter, planted hundreds of acres of red pine and Norway spruce on the forest. Today these planted forests mask, but don't completely hide, a rich history of settlement, abandonment and regrowth.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Three Springs State Forest
• Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

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

Madison 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.