Cross Island Road

Trail Overview

This is a seasonal gravel road that winds through the eastern section of Taylor Valley State Forest. The road starts with well-maintained gravel and transitions into a narrower two-track as it pushes deeper into the forest. Cross Island Road provides a scenic drive through mixed hardwoods and conifer plantations with several opportunities to spot abundant wildlife along the route. The road skirts wetland areas that are part of Taylor Valley's unique glacially-carved landscape. Most SUVs and trucks can handle the trail in summer and fall, though high clearance is recommended during spring when mud and water crossings can be challenging. Cell service is limited to nonexistent throughout the forest.

Photos of Cross Island Road

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Difficulty

The road is not maintained through the winter. In the spring and fall it can be muddy and rutted. Because the trail is not maintained frequently, it often has trees across the road that may require tree crossing or the driver to turn around.

History

Taylor Valley State Forest was purchased by the state between 1931 and 1967, with an additional purchase in 1977. The forest was part of abandoned farmland that proved unproductive due to thin, steep, and acidic soils combined with harsh winters and short growing seasons. During the Roosevelt Administration's reforestation efforts in the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps established Camp S-118 in what is now the Cheningo Day Use Area. Young men from this camp planted thousands of tree seedlings across the abandoned agricultural lands, creating the diverse mix of northern hardwoods, hemlock, and conifer plantations visible today. The valley itself is one of the forest's most unique features, having been carved out by glacial movement thousands of years ago. This glacial history created the valley's distinctive topography and the large wetland complex that supports the forest's rich biodiversity. Trail History summarized from NYDEC.

Technical Rating

Cross Island Road can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike