The 1276 acre Baker School House State Forest is located in the towns of Freetown and Solon in the middle of Cortland County.  Its a great place to explore and do activities like hiking, hunting, trapping, bird watching, nature observation, and informal camping.

Exploring the forest on the Finger Lakes Trail

History

Most of the land that is now called Baker School House State Forest was originally used for agricultural in the 1800s. However, the upland soils of the Allegheny Plateau are thin, relatively steep, and acidic. The ground is not fit for intensive farming. When combined with harsh winters and a short growing season, it is easy to understand why farmers abandoned these lands in pursuit of greener pastures in the Midwest. Therefore, the land was sold to the state in the 1930s to undergo reforestation. Today, DEC foresters manage the forest to provide diverse ecological, economic, and recreational services for all New Yorkers and visitors.

Field Notes

With its wide variety of cover types, including northern hardwood, European and Japanese larch, Norway spruce, red pine and white cedar, Baker School House State Forest provides many different habitats for a collection of wildlife. It is a great place to see wild turkey, white-tailed deer and a variety of song birds.

The forest's wild and rustic character provides excellent hunting and trapping opportunities. Camping is also quite enjoyable, as the seclusion of the forest envelops the senses and whisks you away to a time where life was simpler and quieter.

There is an old CCC built stone pool just south of where the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail enters the forest.  You can follow the old trail opposite where the FLT/NCT enters the forest off Baker Schoolhouse Road.

Trails

Baker School House State Forest has a section of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country National Scenic Trail that travels through it. A Public Forest Access Road provides an easy avenue of approach into the northern section of the forest. There are currently no other designated trails within the forest.

Directions

Baker School House State Forest may be accessed by taking NY 41 to Baker School House Road which runs diagonally through the forest. Parking is limited, but available from the shoulder of the road.  There is also a seasonal dirt road that runs through the forest.

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