On the hills south of NY 165 between Decatur and Roseboom in rural Otsego county is the 1,749 acre Bear Swamp State Forest. The center point of state forest is Bear Swamp Pond which is popular fishing destination. Remote and hilly, there are no developed trails or campsites besides a path down to lake.
https://andyarthur.org/decatur-state-forest
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/102478.html
A National Natural Landmark. Designated a Registered National Natural Landmark by the Department of Interior in 1973, Bear Swamp itself dates from 13,000 years ago, with the retreat of the last glacier. The interior of Bear Swamp supports a relic stand of giant rhododendron, the northernmost in New York State.
Why “Bear Swamp?” There was, in fact, a Mr. Bear who bought this land from Stephen Van Rensselear in the late 1800s. It’s also true that “bear swamp” is a generic American term for swamps with the kinds of plants found here, including blueberries, which bears relish.
A false color image for better contrast.
From the USGS Digital Raster Graphic topographic map.
The old filled in area for the former Watkins Glen Airstrip can be seen the left.