Photo courtesy of Camp Zerbe
Nestled between the western edge of the Tug Hill Plateau and the eastern Lake Ontario shoreline, Oswego County’s unique geography makes it a perfect place for those who appreciatethe outdoors!With the highest recorded snowfall east of the Rocky Mountains, the Tug Hill region offers exceptional conditions for skiing, skijoring, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Moderated by cool breezes from Lake Ontario, our warm summer days are ideal for camping, canoeing or kayaking.
Scan the horizon for bald eagles or enjoy breathtaking vistas at the only significant freshwater dune site in the Northeastern United States. Hike or bike along scenic trail systems or leisurely angle in our numerous ponds and streams.
With thousands of acres of public parks, forests and natural areas, you’ll have countless opportunities to discover Oswego County!
Please respect our precious natural resources and leave only your footprints.
You can help preserve these areas by taking out what you bring in.
For your safety:
Hikers can expect to encounter hunters during the fall months in areas where hunting is permitted. Be sure to wear a bright colored jacket or shirt and stay on designated foot paths or trails.
Parks & Nature Centers
Amboy 4H Environmental Education Center
748 NYS Route 183
Amboy, NY 13493
Phone: 315-963-7286
150 acres, 3 miles trails, environmental center and trails
Battle Island State Park
2150 NYS Route 48
Fulton, NY 13069
Phone: 315-593-3408
18 hole golf course
Breitbeck Park
Lake Street
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315-342-8180
Oswego City Park, paved walkways, pavilion, picnicking, playground, basketball, benches
Derby Hill Bird Observatory
Sage Creek Road,
Mexico, NY 13114
Phone: 315-963-8291
Website: www.derbyhill.org
Premier birding location
Fallbrook Recreation Center
Thompson Road
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315-341-2106
20 miles, trails
Frenchman Island State Park
Oneida Lake
Constantia, NY 13044
Natural area
Great Bear Springs Recreational Area
County Route 57
Fulton, NY 13069
Phone: 315-592-2474
Website: http://web.mac.com/oswegocountygreen
236 acres, trails
Hastings Town Park
Wilson Road
Hastings, NY 13076
Phone: 315-668-2456 or 315-668-6191
100 acres, 3 miles trails
Independence Park Trail
County Route 1
Scriba, NY 13126
Phone: 315-349-3451
Short trail
Mexico Point State Park
Mexico Point Drive
Mexico, NY 13114
Phone: 315-963-8216 or 315-963-7657
Trail, beach, picnicking
Minetto Riverview Memorial Park
NYS Rte. 48, Minetto
Phone: 315-343-2393
www.townofminetto.net
Park and picnic area on the Oswego River; dock; bathhouse; boat access. Canoeing, kayaking, picnicking.
Oneida Lake Fish Cultural Station
NYS Route 49, Constantia,NY 13044
Phone: 315-623-7311
Website: www.dec.ny.gov
Fish hatchery and educational center
Oswego County Nature Park at Camp Zerbe
State Route 104
Williamstown, NY 13493
Phone: 315-349-3451 or 1-800-596-3200 x3451
540 acres, 3 miles trails, educational center, wildlife
Oswego County Recreational Trail
NYS Route 49
Cleveland, NY 13042
Phone: 315-349-8322
26 miles trails
Rice Creek Field Station
Thompson Road
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315-312-7961
400 acres, trails, exhibits, wildlife
Salmon River Falls Unique Area
Falls Road
Orwell, NY 13426
Phone: 315-298-7467
Trails, waterfalls, ice climbing
Salmon River Fish Hatchery
2133 County Route 22
Altmar, NY 13302
Phone: 315-298-5051
Website: www.dec.ny.gov
Fish hatchery and educational center
Sandy Creek Community Park
US Route 11
Sandy Creek, NY 13145
Phone: 315-387-3445
1.5 miles trails
Sandy Island Beach State Park
3387 County Route 15
Sandy Creek, NY 13145
Phone: 315-387-2657
Wesbite: www.nysparks.com
11 acres, dunes, beach, trails, wildlife
Scriba Town Park
O’Connor Road
Scriba, NY 13126
Phone: 315-343-8107 or 315-343-1853
Pool, picnicking, playground
Selkirk Shores State Park
7101 NYS Route 3
Pulaski, NY 13142
Phone: 315-298-5737
Website: www.nysparks.com
980 acres, 6 miles trails, camping, fishing, beach
Sunset Bay Park
East Lake Road
Scriba, NY 13126
Phone: 315-343-1853
1 mile trail
Taft Bay Park
State Route 49
Bernhards Bay, NY 13044
Phone: 315-623-9206
Website: www.townconstantia.org
Beach, bathhouse, pavilions, picnicking, basketball, tennis, volleyball, softball
Mexico Point State Park. Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Simons.
State Forests & Wildlife Management Areas
Additional information about State Forests and Wilderness Management Areas (WMA’s) areas can be obtained by calling the DEC Region 7 Cortland office at 607-753-3095 or by visiting www.dec.ny.gov
Altmar State Forest, Albion: 926 acres – Located between NYS Rte. 13 and Co. Rte. 28. Access from Towsley Rd., Albion Cross Rd., Hasto Rd., and Co. Rte. 48
Battle Hill State Forest, Redfield: 1,562 acres – Bounded by North Branch Salmon River, Mad River, and Co. Rte. 17.
Chateaugay State Forest, Orwell: 3,346 acres – Located off Co. Rte. 2, next to Salmon River Falls Unique Area. Access from Vorea Rd., Carpenter Rd., Waggoner Rd., New Scriba Dr., and Beecherville Rd. Cross-country skiing, hiking.
Hall Island State Forest, Orwell: Around the Salmon River Reservoir
Kasoag State Forest, Williamstown: 955 acres – Next to Kasoag Lake, off of Co. Rte. 30, and intersected by CC Rd.
Klondike State Forest, Amboy: 875 acres – South of NYS Rte. 69 on Starks Rd. Surrounded by numerous ponds.
O’Hara State Forest, Orwell/Redfield: 1,014 acres – Access from Co. Rte 17, Dam Rd., Co. Rte 27, and O’Hara Rd. Bordering south side of the Salmon River Reservoir.
Orton Hollow State Forest, Williamstown/Amboy: 504 acres – Intersected by NYS Rte. 13. Bounded by Fish Creek and Oneida County.
Salmon River State Forest, Redfield: 2,033 acres – Surrounding Co. Rte 2 and Co. Rte 17. Bordering north side of Salmon River Reservoir
Sandy Creek State Forest, Sandy Creek/Richland: 538 acres – Bounded by Cummings Rd. and Orton Rd.
Stone Hill State Forest, Amboy/Williamstown: 869 acres – South of NYS Rte. 13. Bounded by Stone Hill Rd. and Little Pond Rd.
Trout Brook State Forest, Boylston/Orwell: 622 acres – Intersected by John Platt Rd. Access from Bremm Rd., Van Auken Rd., Nemier Rd., and Waggoner Rd.
West Osceola State Forest, Osceola/Redfield: 1,900 acres – Part of Oswego, Oneida, and Lewis Counties. Access from Co. Rte. 27, Co. Rte. 39, Lower Redfield Rd., and Fox Rd.
Winona State Forest Recreation Area, Boylston: 9,233 acres – Center Rd., off of Co. Rte. 22 in Lacona Parking areas are on north side of Center Rd. at Wart Rd. intersection and Bargy Rd. intersection. Western edge of Tug Hill Plateau, surrounding the Little Sandy Creek. 315-298-6993. Contains 31 miles or trails through unplowed roads and state and county forests. Skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, trapping, dog sledding, birding, horseback riding. Site of Tug Hill Tourathon cross-country skiing events.
View Wildlife Management Areas »
Curtiss-Gale Wildlife Management Area, Granby: 45 acres – East side of the Oswego River. 1 mile south of Fulton. Birding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing.
Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Richland: 1,195 acres – Located on Rainbow Shores Rd. between Lake Ontario and NYS Rte. 3. Uplands and Wetlands. Viewing tower, parking area, boat access, handicapped access, scenic vistas, birding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, trapping.
Happy Valley Wildlife Management Area, Albion/Williamstown/Parish/Amboy: 8,645 acres – Bounded by NYS Rte. 104, Co. Rte. 22, and Co. Rte. 26. Uplands, wetlands, and ponds. Hiking, birding, canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, trapping. No off-road motor vehicles allowed. Primitive camping by permit only.
Littlejohn State Wildlife Management Area, Boylston/Redfield: 8,020 acres – Bounded by Co. Rte. 17, Mad River, and Little John Dr. Uplands and wetlands. 18.8 miles of trails. Hiking, birding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, trapping. Primitive camping by permit only.
Three Mile Bay/Big Bay State Wildlife Management Area, West Monroe/Constantia: 3,500 acres – Off NYS Rte. 49., bordering Oneida Lake. Bounded by Toad Harbor Rd., Lower Rd., Wheeler Rd., and West Rd. Wetlands area. Hiking, boat access, birding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, trapping.
