Cattaraugus County 📍

East Otto State Forest (also known as Cattaraugus Reforestation Area #15) is a 2,071 state forestarea located in Cattaraugus County, New York. Spanning the towns of Otto and East Otto, it features a rugged terrain filled with manmade ponds, young forest habitats, wetlands, and portions of Utley Brook and Cattaraugus Creek.

Camping Information

• Designated Sites: There are 14 designated tent sites located along Kriedeman Forest Road. Each site features a primitive fire ring and is marked with a yellow camp disk.
• Availability: Sites are first-come, first-served and often fill up during the busy summer months.
• Backcountry Camping: Primitive camping is allowed anywhere in the forest as long as you are at least 150 feet away from water bodies, streams, roads, or trails.
• Permits: You must obtain a permit from an NYSDEC Forest Ranger if you plan to stay more than three consecutive nights or if you are camping with a group of 10 or more people.

Name	Latitude	Longitude	Map
Campsite 1	42.4295602020002	-78.7784149811396	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4295602020002_N_78.7784149811396_W
Campsite 2	42.4307519652347	-78.7782919215534	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4307519652347_N_78.7782919215534_W
Campsite 3	42.431524559488	-78.7780726995501	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.431524559488_N_78.7780726995501_W
Campsite 4	42.4324681289091	-78.7781294520017	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4324681289091_N_78.7781294520017_W
Campsite 5	42.4335486532267	-78.7782652857403	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4335486532267_N_78.7782652857403_W
Campsite 6	42.4357482743409	-78.7800957844707	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4357482743409_N_78.7800957844707_W
Campsite 7	42.4377660186537	-78.7812979870923	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4377660186537_N_78.7812979870923_W
Campsite 8	42.4383072329201	-78.7816779718089	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4383072329201_N_78.7816779718089_W
Campsite 9	42.436631230133	-78.7808244256261	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.436631230133_N_78.7808244256261_W
Campsite 10	42.4367946855449	-78.7872560580507	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4367946855449_N_78.7872560580507_W
Campsite 11	42.4368664107905	-78.7887618241661	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4368664107905_N_78.7887618241661_W
Campsite 12	42.4399424606805	-78.7928063223167	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4399424606805_N_78.7928063223167_W
Campsite 13 – Walk In	42.4411622819624	-78.7935142373831	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4411622819624_N_78.7935142373831_W
Campsite 14 – Walk In	42.4349575281559	-78.7863122506779	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4349575281559_N_78.7863122506779_W
Creek Campsite	42.4345283196279	-78.7790841356231	https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=42.4345283196279_N_78.7790841356231_W

Top Recreational Activities

• Hiking & Biking: There are no formally maintained trails on the property, but old logging skid trails and farm roads provide excellent opportunities to explore. The 2.4-mile East Otto State Forest Trail is a popular option utilizing these dirt roads.
• Hunting & Trapping: The forest falls within Wildlife Management Units 9M and 9H. It is heavily used for tracking small and big game such as deer, rabbits, grouse, and wild turkey.
• Fishing: Anglers frequently use Stickney Pond (located off Kriedeman Road) and Utley Brook to fish.
• Winter Sports: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted across all unplowed access roads and skid trails during the winter months.

Nearby Attractions

If you are planning a trip to the forest, there are several notable locations within a 30-minute drive:

• Griffis Sculpture Park: A unique 450-acre outdoor art park showcasing over 250 massive steel structures scattered along woodland paths.
• Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area: A breathtaking gorge system located just north of the state forest, famous for its dramatic cliffs and whitewater rafting.

This photo shows the nearby Zoar Valley Unique Area. No camping is allowed in Zoar Valley, people often will camp at East Otto and then drive over to Zoar Valley.