Winona State Forest is located on the boundary of southern Jefferson County and northern Oswego County. It is east of Interstate 81, west of Littlejohn Wildlife Management Area and is on the western edge of the Tug Hill Plateau.  This area is one of the snowiest east of the Rocky Mountains, as the average yearly snowfall is 250 inches.

This 9,233-acre state forest offers many recreational opportunities, including: hiking, skiing, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, trapping, dog sledding, bird watching and horseback riding. The state forest contains 21.8 miles of cross-country ski trails, 8.7 miles of snowmobile trails (some designated New York State Snowmobile Corridor Trails), 9.9 miles forest roads, and 5 large parking lots.

This reforestation land was once farmland, and during the late 1930's and 1940's, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted evergreen trees, built roads, ponds, and buildings on this land. As the trees have grown to maturity, foresters have marked many stands for wood products, including red pine poles going overseas, pulpwood to local paper mills, black cherry to Harden Furniture and chips for energy.

In the early 1980's the DEC and local cross country skiing enthusiasts met to discuss a trail system, including one for cross country ski racing. This was logical since the Tug Hill Plateau has the biggest snowfall east of the Rockies and has reliable snow cover throughout the winter. The trails became known as the Tug Hill Tour-A-Thon Trails. These trails are well maintained and easy to follow.  You can create many different loop options with the trails and forest roads.

Winona State Forest is well worth a visit.

Directions to this state forest:  From Interstate 81, take Mannsville exit 39, then take County Route 90 east through Mannsville. About 2.75 miles out of Mannsville, county route 90 meets Dixon Road and turns to the right. This route bears left at the intersection with Wart Road and then right at Brown Road. The historical CCC camp is another mile down the road.

Pictures from Winona State Forest

Winona State Forest DEC sign	Tour-A-Thon Trails	Winona Trail map at a kiosk.	Trail marker	Bridge on Bargy Road.
Trail signs	Trail signs	Trail signs	The historical CCC camp on County Route 90.	Trail register at the CCC camp trailhead.
Prevent Forest Fires	Pussycat Trail	Pussycat Trail & Bronze Trail jct.	Hiking along Bronze Trail.	Hiking along Bronze Trail.
Hiking along Bronze Trail.	Trail signs.	Hiking along Bronze Trail.	Trail signs.	Hiking along Bargy Road.

Trails in Winona State Forest

Trail Name Miles Use
Bargy (main) 3.1 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Tucker 2.6 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Hessel 2.0 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Hawley 1.5 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Wart 0.7 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile, Car
Adsit 1.3 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Gold Spike 1.2 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Bacus Bend 2.6 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Dog Leg 1.2 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog, snowmobile
Bronze Trail 1.4 - walk, ski, bike, sled dog, snowmobile
Musher Ridge 1.2 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Pussycat 0.5 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Tail 0.4 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Skinner Creek 0.8 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Frank's Fancy 1.6 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Tie 0.3 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Shady Shuttle 2.0 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Jimmy's Jaunt 0.7 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Hiscock 1.7 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Ted's Turn 0.6 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Sally's Ride 0.4 - walk, ski, bike, horse, sled dog
Bill's Belly 2.0 - walk, ski, bike, sled dog
Raspberry (Larrabee) Trail 1.9 - walk, ski, bike, sled dog
Alice's Alley 2.5 - walk, ski, bike, sled dog
Winona Way 5.0 - walk, ski, bike, sled dog
Sycopath 0.9 - walk, ski

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