If you wish to swim in the Zoar Valley swimming holes, you'll want to visit in the summertime. January 12, 2022. Zoar Valley is an area of deep gorges along the Main and South branches of Cattaraugus Creek in western New York, United States. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A parking area is at the end of Forty Road which is off of Point Peter Road. Kick back, relax and enjoy the natural lazy river. There is no authorized, safe trail to access Cattaraugus Creek on the Erie County side or from the Town of Otto, Cattaraugus County portion of the property. Is that a specific time, or is it an abstract idea? Turn left and follow it downstream. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise, and camping is not permitted on the property. Finger Lakes Lavender Festival. Within the Unique Area, activities such as logging and gas drilling are prohibited. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Zoar Valley is known for its deep gorge, sheer cliffs, flowing waterfalls, and dense forests. Please exercise caution when visiting the gorge, be familiar with the area map and Zoar Valley MUA/UA rules and regulations (link leaves DEC website) before visiting. It is a ribbon cascade being 120 feet high with a 6 foot wide crest. New York Vacation. A well-known swimming hole in the Catskills is Peekamoose near Roundout Creek. Most water parks are open between Father's Day and Labor Day, but please check ahead, as water quality and weather can affect your experience. [26] Native brook trout are also regularly caught. Zoar Valley's old growth is primarily deciduous, and varies in character and species composition depending upon location and landform characteristics. You will come to a trail in a short distance. There are waterfalls, hiking trails, beautiful rock formations, and great places to relax in the water. Timber harvests are one of the tools used to meet this management objective. Due to private land upstream, hiking is permitted downstream only. Experience Tent, Cabin & RV Camping. Jones Hollow is located on the Little Hoosick River, a short distance from the Petersburg Town Hall and just miles from the Vermont border. Youll thank us later. They can be seen all year but are most abundant during migration periods. A: No, Zoar Valley isn't all public land; it is a patch work of public and private lands. Skinny Dip Falls. A woman - who was near the area where the teen fell - told The Sun how the terrain could be dangerous for inexperienced hikers. Return to Waterfall Listing By County Certain sections of the gorge can be seen from several remote vantage points, but by far, the best view can be had from the river far below. Cayuga Lake glows a bright bluishgreen at Taughannock Falls State Park in Tompkins County Sunday, July 12, 2020. The universally accessible trail runs from the parking area to a scenic overlook platform where the road once crossed the creek. cbobcat49 Moderator . Just outside of Minnewaska State Park in the Mohonk Preserve, Split Rock Hole offers the excitement of jumping into the gorge which, according to USA Today, is the perfect height"not too high to be dangerous, but high enough that you'll want to skip the belly flop.". It was first known as Swampfield, a name which is now honored by Swampfield Road, but the name was . Here are found diminutive and gnarled chestnut oak, northern red oak, and red pine that are typically less than 20 feet (6.1m) tall and 12 inches (30cm) in diameter. Q: Is Zoar Valley all public land? The wildlife to watch includes broad-winged hawks, American kestrels, red-bellied woodpeckers, woodchucks, fox, midland painted turtles, and red-spotted newts. The tallest basswood tree in the world (128 feet) hides in Zoar, as well as the second tallest tree in all of New York Statea 156-foot tulip. [11] The river edge and immediate riparian zone are largely intact for most of the river's length. The Catskills are full of beautiful destinations, and Fawns Leap is just one of many. Return to Home Page of WNYWS, Waterfalls You Can Visit In Cattaraugus County. The wildlife is best viewed from trails and the viewing platform near the Forty Road parking area. News 4 is told he had big plans. It was created due to the 2007 legislation that designated it as the Zoar Valley Multiple Use and Unique Area. She was reportedly found "unconscious" and "not breathing, with multiple injuries. Avoiding the swift moving water and be mindful of loose and slippery rocks underfoot. Located in Erie County Bare Bunns Falls is 140 feet high with a 6 foot wide crest. A: Camping, the erecting of a structure (tent), fire building, and use of the area between sunset and sunrise are all prohibited. Similar stands are found on the raised terraces within the canyon, where old-growth trees have been noted to achieve great size, both in terms of height and diameter (typically expressed as diameter at breast height [DBH], a standard measurement taken 4.5 feet [1.4m] above the tree's base). You can either follow the trail or the stream for Buff cascade. Remember, any search and rescue incident puts both professionals (Forest Rangers, State Police and County Sheriff's Dept) and volunteers (local fire departments and ambulance services) at risk. Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users. Zoar Valley is a scenic area located between Erie and Cattaraugus counties and is comprised of both private and public lands. If the Cattaraugus is low and you have experience crossing large creeks you may want to take a look at Bare Bunns Falls. Robert H. Treman State Park (Tompkins County). [31] A designated put-in for the Main Branch is maintained at a state fishing access site on North Otto Road;[6] access to the South Branch requires permission from private landowners. DEC also holds public fishing rights on Cattaraugus Creek (PDF) downstream from Zoar Valley MUA. However, you can find camping nearby in several places including in East Otto State Forest. Question: If I have been going to Zoar for 20+ years, do I still need to read these Q and A's? Zoar Valley Multi-Use Area is a popular summer destination for Western New Yorkers looking for an outdoor excursion! Explore -dangler's 4234 photos on Flickr! The best white water action can normally be had through April, depending of course on the amount of rainfall. Since, it takes considerable time to hike in and out of the gorge on the Valentine Flats Trail, please plan your trip to allow enough daylight hours to make the hike safely. General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations. "There are cliff overhands and eroding shale rock. Scott Schild | sschild@newyorkupstate.com SYR. Zoar Valley is a New York State Watchable Wildlife site. As you drive down into the valley on Forty Road you will pass Forty Road Falls to your right. In July 2018, a 20-year-old man fell approximately 60 feet to his death while trying to climb a waterfall. But I've traveled . No, this is a day use area only. In July 2018, a 20-year-old man fell approximately 60 feet to his death while trying to climb a waterfall. Give yourself plenty of time to get back to your vehicle well before dark. Shanty Brook is a bit of a hike to get to, but beautiful nonetheless with a gorgeous waterfall to take in within the Sacandaga River in the Adirondacks. Hikers must stay on the marked trail, away from the edge of the gorge. A: For those individuals in legitimate distress, a 911 call on a cell phone may be difficult at best due to the topography of the gorge and poor cell phone coverage. Most of the valley is located in the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area which is managed by the the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Raptors use the wind currents, thermals while soaring high above the gorge. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Some upland forests within the state lands are very mature in character, but these experienced timber harvesting in the 19th century and light management cutting by the state in the 1970s and 1980s.[2]. There have been several improvements over the year in the campgrounds, the beach and the golf course. [5] By 1971, overnight use of the property was prohibited due to "irresponsible behavior on the part of some campers". Are Zoar Valley's swimming holes good for people of all ages? Cattaraugus Creek is a fifth to sixth-order stream (depending upon the exact delineation of headwater tributaries), and is the largest tributary to eastern Lake Erie. There arent always lifeguards on duty. There is no gorge or creek access from this trail. A: Provided the area has been posted in the prescribed manner, you can be arrested for trespassing. Each year the area is used by thousands of visitors. Follow the stream into the woods a short distance to view Little 4-D Falls. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Pro tip: Bring a change of dry clothes with you to hike back in. for 1.7 miles to the fork in the road, go to the left onto Forty Road which dead ends in the parking area for the Zoar Valley South Branch/Forty area. These slope woodlands present an impressive and ancient aesthetic, but few stands can be visited directly as most slopes are too dangerous to traverse. Remember to be aware of local weather conditions and careful where you step: wet rocks can be quite slippery! During summer storm events, especially after a prolonged dry period, bacterial levels can exceed 10,000 colony forming units (cfu); bacterial levels are low most other times. You may call DEC staff at (716) 372-0645 and they can answer your questions or direct you to someone who can. In July 2018, a 20-year-old man fell approximately 60 feet to his death while trying to climb a waterfall. Andrew Cuomo said there would be more money coming for other improvements. [2]:67[10] Modern timber harvests by the state are intended to encourage native species growth and improve wildlife habitat. That being said, there are still plenty of popular spots to explore natural waters throughout the state while being safe! The Holcomb Pond Trail system runs between the Holcomb Pond parking lot and the Ross Pond parking lot. The Multiple Use Area and Unique Area are public lands under the management of DEC Division of Lands and Forests. This page is available in other languages. Is there roadside garbage pick up? *Note: It is important to check Cattaraugus Creek water levels (leaves DEC website) when planning a day of activities on the water at Zoar Valley. Split Rock Falls, located in Elizabethtown, is one of the most popular cliff jumping spots in the Adirondacks. This is a popular spot, and even though it was cool and cloudy during our visit, the parking lot was full. Zoar Valley is just all sorts of crazy, the gorge walls are super tall and steep, making it extremely dangerous for people that try to move down them. Choose your crossing spot very carefully. Answer: NO! Forest Rangers and other law enforcement officers that patrol these public lands receive inquiries about its use and what is legal. There is no parking on the south side of Valentine Flats Road. The rapids in the gorge range from Class 2 through Class 4, depending on water level. Green Lakes State Park is really a sight to see, with brightly colored water and lush foliage. Many of the upland old fields have been planted with conifers and high value hardwood trees. The Zoar Valley MUA is composed of three parcels of land including an area located along the Cattaraugus Creek Gorge, a 5 acre Cattaraugus Creek Waterway Access, and a 387 acre detached parcel. Zoar Valley's scenic beauty includes a deep gorge surrounding Cattaraugus Creek, as well as sheer cliffs, flowing waterfalls and dense forests. [8], Only one hiking trail is officially maintained within the Multiple Use Area. DEC developed the draft Niagara Frontier Unit Management Plan (PDF) which describes the management activities for these lands. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Privacy Policy. Exceptions are allowed for ice climbing and rappelling with ropes. 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