List of New York wild forests facts for kids
Welcome to the amazing wild forests of New York! These special places are managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. They are part of something called the Forest Preserve. Think of them as big, beautiful natural areas where you can explore and enjoy the outdoors.
What are Wild Forests?
Wild forests are designed to feel wild and natural, like a true wilderness. However, they are also set up so that people can enjoy them more easily. This means you might find more trails for hiking, biking, or even places for camping. They are different from "wilderness" areas, which are kept even more untouched and are harder to access. Most of New York's wild forests are found inside the Adirondack Park or Catskill Park. These parks are huge protected areas in New York State.
New York's Wild Forests: A List
Here is a list of the different wild forests you can find in New York. Each one offers unique natural beauty and chances for adventure!
| Forest Name | County or Counties | Park Location | Size (Acres) | Cool Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldrich Pond | Herkimer, St. Lawrence | Adirondack | 26,702 acres (108.06 km2) | |
| Balsam Lake Mountain | Ulster | Catskill | 13,500 acres (55 km2) | |
| Black River | Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida | Adirondack | 121,506 acres (491.72 km2) | |
| Blue Mountain | Essex, Hamilton | Adirondack | 37,800 acres (153 km2) | |
| Bluestone | Ulster | Catskill | 2,895 acres (11.72 km2) | |
| Champlain Islands | Clinton, Essex | Adirondack | 4 acres (0.016 km2) | This wild forest includes four small islands in Lake Champlain. |
| Colgate Lake | Greene | Catskill | 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) | |
| Cranberry Lake | St. Lawrence | Adirondack | 24,111 acres (97.57 km2) | |
| Crystal Lake | Sullivan | 497 acres (2.01 km2) | ||
| Debar Mountain | Franklin | Adirondack | 83,405 acres (337.53 km2) | |
| Delaware | Delaware | Catskill | 27,800 acres (113 km2) | It was created in 2008 by combining two smaller wild forests. |
| Dry Brook Ridge | Delaware, Ulster | Catskill | 8,900 acres (36 km2) | |
| Elm Ridge | Greene | Catskill | 1,355 acres (5.48 km2) | |
| Ferris Lake | Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer | Adirondack | 147,454 acres (596.73 km2) | |
| Fulton Chain | Herkimer | Adirondack | 15,140 acres (61.3 km2) | |
| Grass River | St. Lawrence | Adirondack | 1,274 acres (5.16 km2) | |
| Halcott Mountain | Greene | Catskill | 4,760 acres (19.3 km2) | |
| Hammond Pond | Essex | Adirondack | 45,558 acres (184.37 km2) | |
| Horseshoe Lake | Franklin, St. Lawrence | Adirondack | 21,336 acres (86.34 km2) | |
| Independence River | Herkimer, Lewis | Adirondack | 76,574 acres (309.88 km2) | |
| Jessup River | Hamilton | Adirondack | 47,350 acres (191.6 km2) | |
| Kaaterskill | Ulster | Catskill | 8,550 acres (34.6 km2) | |
| Lake George | Warren, Washington | Adirondack | 71,133 acres (287.87 km2) | |
| Moose River Plains | Hamilton, Herkimer | Adirondack | 64,322 acres (260.30 km2) | |
| Overlook Mountain | Ulster | Catskill | 590 acres (2.4 km2) | |
| Phoenica | Ulster | Catskill | 7,315 acres (29.60 km2) | |
| Raquette River | St. Lawrence | Adirondack | 3,057 acres (12.37 km2) | |
| Rusk Mountain | Greene | Catskill | 3,900 acres (16 km2) | |
| Saranac Lakes | Essex, Franklin | Adirondack | 79,000 acres (320 km2) | |
| Sargent Ponds | Hamilton | Adirondack | 49,768 acres (201.40 km2) | |
| Shaker Mountain | Fulton, Hamilton | Adirondack | 40,500 acres (164 km2) | |
| Shandaken | Ulster, Greene | Catskill | 5,376 acres (21.76 km2) | |
| Split Rock Mountain | Essex | Adirondack | 3,383 acres (13.69 km2) | |
| Sundown | Sullivan, Ulster | Catskill | 30,500 acres (123 km2) | |
| Taylor Pond | Clinton, Essex, Franklin | Adirondack | 45,637 acres (184.69 km2) | |
| Vanderwhacker Mountain | Essex, Warren, Hamilton | Adirondack | 91,854 acres (371.72 km2) | |
| Watson East Triangle | Herkimer, Lewis | Adirondack | 13,417 acres (54.30 km2) | Also known as Watson's East Triangle Wild Forest. |
| White Hill | St. Lawrence | Adirondack | 9,932 acres (40.19 km2) | |
| Wilcox Lake | Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren | Adirondack | 124,643 acres (504.41 km2) | |
| Willowemoc | Sullivan, Ulster | Catskill | 15,900 acres (64 km2) | |
| Wilmington | Essex, Clinton | Adirondack | 16,938 acres (68.55 km2) |
See also
