Cattaraugus County

Cattaraugus County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 80,317. The county seat is Little Valley.

Cattaraugus County is in the southwestern part of the state, immediately north of the Pennsylvania border. The southern part of Cattaraugus County is the only area of western New York that was not covered by the last ice age glaciation and is noticeably more rugged than neighboring areas that had peaks rounded and valleys filled by the glacier. The entire area is actually a dissected plateau of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian age, but appears mountainous to the casual observer. The plateau is an extension of the Allegany Plateau from nearby Pennsylvania. Southern Cattaraugus County is part of the same oil field, and petroleum was formerly a resource of the area. It is now mostly played out, but natural gas continues to be extracted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattaraugus_County,_New_York

Camping on McCarthy Hill Road

|

Last November, I spent two rather cold nights right before southern zone hunting season camping on McCarthy Hill Road near Ellicotville in Cattaraugus County. Located about 1/2 mile from Little Rock City, a popular place for hiking and exploring various “buildings” which are actually just very large, square rocks, left from the glaciers.

Exploring Rock City

The campsites near Little Rock City have little pavilions.

Tent Camping Pavlion

The campsites along McCarthy Hill Road are simple roadside sites, with little more then stone campfire rings and a “Camp Here” sign nailed to the trees.

Final Campfire

Up here, you are camping on a mountain, or at least a fairly large hill, so it’s pretty cold especially on the first day of southern zoning hunting season.

Have you ever driven under a 28,500 ton Seawaymax ship?

But some nice warm coffee can help things out a lot, even when the themometer in your pickup truck says it’s only 19 degrees. Plus a good breakfast made on the campstove.

19 degree at Camp

15 miles to the south is Allegany State Park. 40 miles will get you to the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. Likewise, Jamestown is about 40 miles to the west. I’ve heard it’s popular in the summer. 15 miles to the north is Zoar Valley Unique Area, a great gorge where the Cattaragus Creek runs, and 50 miles northeast is Letchworth State Park.


View Larger Map

There is good cell service and 4G wireless internet service. Bring your own electricity.

Untitled [Expires November 30 2024]

Here’s a map.