Batten Kill Forest Has a Private-Land Edge

Batten Kill State Forest and Goose Egg State Forest are a good Washington County outing for people who like a little map-reading with their woods. The 535-acre Batten Kill State Forest and 436-acre Goose Egg State Forest sit next to each other just west of the New York-Vermont border.

Folded Rock Trail is the main hiking name to know. It is a 5-mile round-trip trail open to hiking and other recreation, with a western view near the end. The Batten Kill itself adds another layer, with river access, fishing, and paddling nearby.

The practical caution is not dramatic, but it matters. Private properties adjoin the state forests, and visitors are asked to respect private lands. In this part of Washington County, the woods, roads, river access, and private parcels sit close together.

Before heading out, save the DEC map, use the listed parking areas, and keep the route clear in your head. Batten Kill works best when it feels like a forest and a borderland at once: state land, river valley, Vermont nearby, and local property lines all sharing the same hills.