Basswood Pond State Forest
Activities: Hiking, paddling, winter sports, mountain biking, fishing
Location: Jacobs Rd, Burlington Flats, NY 13315
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 1 trail loop
Paddling Distance: 16-acre pond
Fee: No
As of 3/1/24, the trail mentioned in the DEC Update below was not flooded. Loop Trail was open.
DEC Update: Flooding has also resulted in the destruction of a bridge on the southern hiking trail loop. Plans are underway to replace the bridge in summer 2024. In the meantime, the trail has been re-routed so that hikers and cross country skiers may cross the stream using Basswood Road. Consistent beaver activity at Basswood Pond often results in a portion of the trail system adjacent to Basswood Pond being flooded, preventing hikers from completing the main loop without wading.
Also, the trails north of Jacobs Road are closed due to logging.
Winter Access: There is a small parking lot on Jacobs Road, or park in the small pull-off on Basswood Road. The main parking lot on Conservation Road may not be accessible in winter.
Basswood Pond State Forest encompasses a total of 720 acres with Basswood Pond itself covering 16 acres and a small beaver pond covering 6 acres. It is open year round and contains approximately 7.5 miles of multiple use trails best suited to hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed on the property, but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities. Paddling is permitted; however, there is no dock or put-in. Ponds are open for hand-launched boats. Please clean and drain all watercraft before launching to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Please do not walk or snowshoe in cross-country ski tracks, the next skier will be very happy you did!
Blue Trail 2+ miles:Â The Blue Trail is south of Jacobs Road and also can be accessed from the pull-off on Basswood Road. If you choose to do this trail, feel free to stop when you like if the path is unclear or too muddy, you will still get credit for the Octet.
You may want to bring a fishing pole as there is a small dock and several grassy areas around the pond to fish from the stocked pond. Basswood Pond State Forest was the site of On the Trail of Art by the Butternut Valley Alliance in June 2022.
Getting There:
There are three ways to enter the trails. The main entrance off of Conservation Road has a parking and picnic area, restrooms, and is wheelchair accessible. The Jacobs Road entrance provides has a parking area and kiosk. The third entrance is on the south end of the trails, on Basswood Road. It has a small parking area.
Fishing: Basswood Pond State Forest features Basswood Pond with an accessible fishing pier. Basswood Pond is stocked with rainbow trout annually. There is a 10 inch minimum length and a 3-fish daily limit for trout. Fish may not be used as bait. There are also public fishing rights on the nearby Wharton Creek.
Other Amenities and Activities: picnic area, grilling station, fire pit, information kiosk, map at the trailhead, parking, primitive camping, restrooms, dogs allowed, fall foliage, handicap accessible, fishing (no ice fishing and fish may not be used as bait), horseback riding
What Octet-ers are saying:
3/1/24: “The trail by the pond remains passable (the loop trail is open and you can get from the Main lot to the lean-to.) Conservation Road was drivable (but since it’s seasonal, that may change.)”
What’s Nearby: Jerry’s Place (open May-October, about 10 minute drive) 607.547.1037
Site maintained by  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA)