The 4638 acre Taylor Valley State Forest was formerly known as Seacord Hill and is located in the towns of Cuyler, Solon, Taylor, and Truxton in the middle of Cortland County. It is a popular area for family based recreational activities such as hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, bird watching, nature viewing, picnicking and camping.  There is a large pavilion with picnic tables off Taylor Valley Rd.

There is a day use area that includes a few primitive camping sites available for those looking for some FREE camping. The Cheningo Day Use Area is also located in the forest and provides many users with a rustic environment in which they may experience the joys of camping, picnicking, and getting back in touch with nature.  A dirt road across Taylor Valley Rd from the picnic pavilion circles around giving access to primitive campsites.

Camping is free in this state forest as it is in most other state forests with the same rules as other state lands from the DEC which include camping allowed anywhere in the forest as long as you are at least 150 feet from any road, trail or water.  The best camping spots are across from the pavilion along the circle dirt road. To find out more about this state forest go to the NY DEC website.

Trails

Taylor Valley has snowmobile trails, as well as a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail that travels through its boundaries. The North Country Trail coincides with the Finger Lakes Trail through this state forest.  Look below for some suggested hikes in this state forest.

Directions

Taylor Valley State Forest may be accessed by taking NY 41 toward Solon. Turn onto Telephone Road. Turn left onto Kiwanis Road, and another immediate left onto the Mt. Roderick Public Forest Access Road to access the western portion of the forest. Continue down Telephone Road to Hawley Woods Road, and then finally turn left onto Taylor Valley Road to access the eastern portion of the forest.

Hiking Opportunities in Taylor Valley State Forest

Mount Roderick Loop	Seacord Hill Loop	Cheningo Creek Loop
NCT in Taylor Valley State Forest	Mount Roderick	Cheningo Creek Scenic View

Picnic Pavilion in Taylor Valley State Forest

CNY Hiking HOME PAGE

Hiking in Cortland County

Hiking in Central New York