Burnt-Rossman State Forest

Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest, spanning an impressive 10,588 acres, proudly holds the distinction of being Schoharie County’s largest state forest. This natural haven has garnered immense popularity among enthusiasts of outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, and various recreational activities.

Traversing a segment of this expansive landscape is the Long Path, a trail adorned with aqua blazes, stretching over 350 miles. Within this forest, the Eminence Lean To stands as a notable point of interest along the Long Path, positioned roughly 0.5 miles to the east of Old Cemetery Road. A crossing of Old Cemetery Road can be spotted just to the south of an ancient burial ground.

Among the captivating features of the forest are the campsites discreetly nestled along Betty Brook Road, as well as the inviting spots found at Duck Pond, situated along Burnt Hill Road.

For those with a penchant for angling and boating, Looking Glass Pond, located along Rossman Hill Road, offers an inviting prospect. This charming pond not only facilitates fishing and boating but also boasts well-maintained fishing platforms courtesy of the Fulton Fish and Game Club.

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.