Taylor Valley State Forest

The Taylor Valley landscape is woven with a mix of northern hardwoods, hemlock, and conifer plantations. The wildlife and plants on both sides of the valley are quite abundant, and a large wetland complex located in the area only adds to the variety of available habitats, allowing for a rich and diverse collection of species. One of the most unique characteristics of this state forest is that it includes a valley that was carved out by glacial movement thousands of years ago.

Taylor Valley State Forest was purchased by the state between 1931 and 1967 with an additional purchase in 1977. During the 1930s, the Roosevelt Administration, under the State Reforestation Act and the Hewitt Amendment, made it possible for hundreds of young men to secure jobs working on the reforestation of many unproductive and abandoned farms.

Through the hard work and great effort of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), thousands of tree seedlings were planted on land that once was used for agricultural purposes. The Truxton CCC Camp S-118 was originally located in the area now occupied by the Cheningo Day Use Area, a popular attraction at Taylor Valley State Forest.

• Info from NYS DEC
• Learn more about the history of New York's state forests

FLT Map M21