Towering Trees and Vast Valleys: The Beauty of Eastern Otsego

By BILL BELLEN
OTSEGO COUNTY

Otsego County is truly an under-appreciated natural gem. Within the bounds of our county limits lie five pristine state parks, roughly 20 idyllic state forests, and numerous waterway accesses and pathways. Though many people may first think of the Adirondacks or Catskills when they consider the natural wonders of Upstate New York, it is our intention to show how our corner of the world has just as much to offer its residents and tourists.

My colleague Maria Griswold and I are on a summer-long mission to shed light on the vast array of vistas and vacation destinations Otsego County has at its disposal. For clarity, this series will be focusing on state parks and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation-managed state forests and waterway accesses in order to maintain a manageable scope.

Decatur State Forest

Our first steps in this journey began in the rugged, rolling hills of the east and northeast of the county, in Decatur State Forest. Like many of the forests we will be introducing, there are no marked hiking trails or access sites here. Visitors are able to travel a couple of unpaved, but well-maintained roads that traverse the woods. The roads navigating this site do not maintain very wide shoulders, as the denseness of the trees around you can be felt on all sides—another trend that will continue in destinations to come.

Maple Valley State Forest

Ironically, our next stop was anything but claustrophobic. To the west of Decatur, Maple Valley State Forest is a very scenic drive, especially with the plethora of lilies in bloom along the roadsides during our time there. A few feet of clearing on either side of the roadway allows for a sunny and welcoming transit, weather permitting. At the north end of the forest, you will find Little Elk Creek passing through, though it may be safer to view it from the road as we did rather than to bushwhack down.

Bear Swamp State Forest

Only three stops in, and we already reached a highlight of our exploration. Bear Swamp State Forest sits adjacent to the border with Schoharie County and is nearly 1,000 acres larger than Maple Valley State Forest. This site has quite a few more choices for road travel, although the quality of these routes definitely dwindles as you venture deeper. While a number of small bodies of water are present, the premier destination here has to be Bear Swamp Pond itself, which has a small water access path down to its shores. Its beautiful and swampy shores create an aura around the pond that I can only describe as uniquely Otsego. However, the true highlight is the view shortly thereafter. A beautiful panorama of the vast landscapes of Otsego County is laid out before you in a way I had never seen before. As scenic as scenic can be, the awe-inspiring beauty of our county is on full display for those who brave the trek up these semi-precarious roads.

Honey Hill State Forest

Honey Hill State Forest, while still picturesque in its own right, did not quite compare to those that came before. With only two small roads winding through its edges and part of its territory being within neighboring Schoharie County, our time here was not as thorough or awe inspiring.

Cherry Valley State Forest

Following this, we traveled to Cherry Valley State Forest. This is arguably one of the more well-known forests on this list and the first for which we found a designated state forest informational sign. With Snyder Creek gently flowing in the north and sprawling forests surrounding a number of quality roadway options, it is no wonder why Cherry Valley residents take pride in this locale. Those willing to navigate through some brush may also be able to take a peek at the small bog semi-adjacent to Morton Road. This forest provides an interesting thought experiment for those with a historically-centered mind into how the wider landscape around Cherry Valley would have looked during the time of the massacre that made the location famous.

Roseboom State Forest

Our time at Roseboom State Forest did not provide a very thorough examination of all the site had to offer. With the main access road to the center of the site being gated shut and the path no longer visibly traversed, we were unable to visit the deeper sections of the park. This cannot take credit away from the accessible portion on Roscoe Jones Road, which offered by far the best maintained route of travel in any of the forests we visited, as well as a scenic side road with a creek flowing beside it.

R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest

The last of the state forests on our docket for the day, R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest presented a pleasant surprise to round out this endeavor. After navigating some roads through the woods, we passed a very pleasant couple who live on a pocket of private property in the middle of the state land. We then came across a pond that appeared to be the headwaters of the neighboring Elk Creek. A quaint water access trail led down to its shore, with a sizable beaver dam greeting us at the bank. No doubt equally impressive and scenic as Bear Swamp Pond, the site put a smile on our faces as we left for our final destination.

Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park

Certainly the most popular location on this list, Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park is a perfect destination for travelers of all varieties. Named in honor of the couple who donated the land that the park now sits on, it boasts over three miles of marked trails with a perfect balance between open fields and dense forests. The site has numerous accessible pavilions with seating and areas to eat. Its clean and maintained facilities include a playground. Atop the valley and forest views, there are also a few small ponds with walkable perimeters, with cabin camping options available for those who want an extended visit to embrace the scenery. Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park is also one of three locations on the New York State Birding Trail, a series of sites that the NYSDEC has recognized for their potential for recreational activity and birdwatching. Whether it be the countless birds that reside in the houses that line its fields, or the cornhole set and net for various outdoor sports, Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park is the perfect first park to highlight the potential Otsego County has to offer.

And with that, our journey was brought to a close. In this, the first of a four-part series, it is my sincere hope that you, the reader, have already gained a new appreciation for the natural wonders our county holds in store. I myself had never heard of locations like Bear Swamp Pond or Elk Creek before embarking, which I find to be all the more telling for how important it is to give these landmarks the attention they deserve. Our next region of interest will be the southern part of the county, where we will travel alongside the trickling waters of Schenevus Creek, up to the tippy top of the highest point in Otsego County. I look forward to you joining us there!

Editor’s note: More information on the forests and parks highlighted here can be found at https://dec.ny.gov/places. This article was updated on July 28, 2025.