The James Kennedy Memorial State Forest, located in Cortland County, is a hiker’s dream. This popular state forest boasts two large, forested properties spread across 4,507 acres in the towns of Harford, Lapeer and Virgil.
You can hike for hours on more than 16 miles of the Finger Lakes and North Country Trail, as well as on miles of spur trails and access roads. The forest also features a trail to the highest point in the area — Virgil Mountain at 2,132 feet.
Stride through towering hemlocks and tailor your hike by using combinations of the Dabes Diversion Trail, Kuzia Cutoff Trail, Virgil Mountain Trail, the Finger Lakes/North Country Trail, and seasonal dirt roads to create a loop.
The Spanish and Swedish loop trails, part of the forest’s international loops, offer two additional hiking choices. Several of the spur trails connect to the more than 900-mile-long Finger Lakes and North Country Trails.
Some visitors simply enjoy being close to nature in the varied habitats of these lands, observing the flora and fauna of the forest. Depending on the time of day, you’re likely to see white-tailed deer; woodchucks; chipmunks; grey, red and flying squirrels; and bats.
In addition, box turtles, salamanders, frogs, and garter snakes are commonly encountered in this State Forest.
Learn more the State Forest’s access and facilities here and about its history here.
Illustration: Part of the combined Finger Lakes Trail and North Country Trail in James Kennedy State Forest (courtesy Finger Lakes Land Trust).
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