The 1009 acre Greenwood Creek State Forest is one of the 43 state forests in St. Lawrence County.  A picnic area at a scenic spot has been used by local persons for as long as can be remembered.  Around 1954, the Conservation Department began building fireplaces and setting out picnic tables until it reached its present stage of development.  Due to the limited size of the picnic area, its use must be restricted to picnicking only. There are, however, two camping sites along the road before you enter the parking lot.

Nature Trail (Yellow Markers)

To further enjoy the forest, take a leisurely walk, using the map of the area (below). The Star Lake Crew of the St. Lawrence County Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) has completed the construction and maintenance on the 1.8 mile nature loop at Greenwood Creek State Forest. The nature trail was constructed in 1981 by the Camp fine YCC, and winds it way along Greenwood Creek, past the falls, through hardwood and softwood forests that are managed by the Department.

In constructing a nature tail it is important to include as many different aspects of a forest as possible, and with the Greenwood Creek Nature Trail, the YCC laid out the trail through mixed hardwood forests (at the beginning of the trail) into stands of red pine.

The nature tail includes many points of interest that are brought out on signposts that dot the 1.8 mile route. A bubbling encased spring, built in the 1930’s by the CCC and restored in 1982 by the current YCC, provides a respite for the thirsty hiker along the trail. The trail then meanders through a red pine plantation into hardwoods, then skirts the border of a hardwood forest and red pine stand showing the distinct characteristics of each forest type. The trail then drops into the lower elevations of the forest before it again climbs into the hardwoods, where it follows rock ridges along which raspberry, blueberry, and shadberry (also known as juneberry and serviceberry) patches are found. From the ridges, the trail descends into a spruce–fir wetland area, following a small brook for approximately 200 yards before the trail completes the 1.8 mile loop, and ends back at the picnic area.

For the less adventurous picnicker, Greenwood Creek State Forest offers a one quarter mile nature trail that leads to an observation platform overlooking a wetland habitat through which Greenwood Creek flows. For the ambitious brook trout angler, this section of the creek offers an evening meal at the picnic area.

Directions:  NY 3 to Fine and turn onto Greenwood Road.  Greenwood Road to parking area.

(c) 2006-today CNY Hiking - All rights reserved.  Any use of information from this site without permission is strictly forbidden.