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Hemlock-Canadice State Forest
The 6,849-acre Hemlock-Canadice State Forest surrounds Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, which have provided drinking water for the City of Rochester and adjacent communities for more than 100 years. In order to protect water quality, the City acquired much of the watershed property around the lakes. Over the decades, the land was planted and/or naturally reverted to forest, with few remaining traces of its former uses except for stone walls.
Open
For the latest Park updates please visit the official Hemlock-Canadice State Forest website
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
Featured Activities:
Please follow the specific regulations developed for Hemlock-Canadice State Forest which allow many recreational activities, but prohibit uses that could threaten water quality.
- Hiking: There are approximately 14 miles of marked hiking trails on Hemlock-Canadice State Forest. Please respect all posted boundary lines.
- Paddling, Boating, & Fishing: Boating and fishing is allowed in most locations on Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, however it is unlawful to possess or operate a boat, to ice fish, to traverse the ice or water, or to fish from shore on:
Hemlock Lake: north of the northerly boat launch, and between Boat Launch Road and Hemlock Lake.
Canadice Lake: within the northernmost 500 feet of the lake (marked with buoys). - Hunting & Trapping: No cleaning, gutting or depositing entrails within 100 feet of any water.
- Biking
- Snowmobiling: On Hemlock-Canadice State Forest snowmobiles are only allowed on designated trails, after big game season ends and with sufficient snow cover.
- Wildlife: Although there are no facilities developed for viewing wildlife, like many places in the New York State you are likely to see wildlife on this land.
Accessible Features:
- Individuals with qualifying disabilities may apply for a permit to operate a motor vehicle on trails designated by the NYS DEC. This program is known as the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD). On Hemlock-Canadice State Forest the North Hemlock Haul Road and South Hemlock Haul Road are part of the MAPPWD system.
