New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. New York is the 27th-most extensive, the 3rd-most populous, and the 7th-most densely populated of the 50 United States. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west and north, and Quebec to the north. The state of New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.
Bridge Brook Pond is located west of Tupper Lake. You can access it via a 1/4 mile portage from Tupper Lake or via the Bridge Brook Pond Trail, which runs from the northerly beginning of the forest preserve on NY 421 (Horseshoe Lake Road), 2 miles to Bridge Brook Pond. Black Pond is on the way up to Bridge Brook Pond, you will pass it one mile to the north of NY 421.
For an outdoorsman who values quiet over amenities, Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest is a premier destination in the Schoharie Valley region. Spanning over 10,000 acres, it offers the kind of rugged solitude that is increasingly hard to find in the Catskills.
Primitive Camping and Solitude
Camping here is primitive with no facilities, though some campsites have minimal infrastructure like stone tables or bushcraft built up by generations of campers. The Duck Pond Campsite offers a designated site, within the isolation of the forest’s interior roads. Betty Brook Road is rough and requires a high-clearance vehicle; you’ll find three campsites there, it gets very rough and muddy south of the second bridge. If you prefer a “deep woods” feel, the campsite in the dark, steep corridor of Cole Hollow Road offers maximum privacy. More accessible sites can be found along West Kill Road and Sawyer Hollow Road, which is plowed year-round, making it a viable option for cold-weather enthusiasts when other interior roads become impassable.
Trails and Water Features
The Long Path serves as the arterial trail through the forest. A lean-to is situated between Morey Road and Burnt Hill Road for those trekking through. One of the most scenic stretches lies between Cole Hollow Road and Huckleberry Kingdom Road, where the trail passes several waterfalls. Huckleberry Kingdom Road itself has been reclaimed by nature; years of washouts have closed it to motor vehicles, turning it into a quiet, wide path perfect for a hike or a mountain bike ride.
Looking Glass Pond provides accessible fishing docks and a perimeter trail. It’s a good spot for a picnic or for landing a few fish in a scenic setting.
Seasonal Recreation
The forest transitions with the seasons:
Spring/Summer: Foraging for morel mushrooms and wild leeks is a local tradition. The unpaved forest roads provide miles of grit for mountain bikers.
Autumn: Hunting and trapping are mainstay activities here. Because of the heavy use by hunters, wearing blaze orange is recommended for anyone entering the woods during these months.
Winter: Most interior roads are not plowed. Once the snow accumulates, the forest becomes a hub for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
The Surrounding Valley
The trip is best paired with a stop in Fultonham at Shaul’s Farm Stand or Boehringer’s Fruit Farm for fresh produce. If you have extra time, the Schoharie Valley offers iconic hikes like Vroman’s Nose and the Middleburgh Cliffs. For a change of pace, the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project and Mine Kill State Park offer free swimming and recreation. Further afield, you can head to Stamford to hike Mount Utsayantha or bike the 26-mile Catskill Scenic Trail, which follows an old rail bed through the heart of the countryside.
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