The 2,343-acre Coyle Hill State Forest gives plenty of opportunities for adventure and outdoor activities such as hiking, snowmobiling, hunting, and camping. The forest provides various habitats for many wildlife species such as deer, turkey, bear, and rabbits.
To get there from interstate 86, you turn off exit 30 and head north on Route 19 for 0.2 miles. Turn onto Hess Road for 1.5 miles, then left onto Warner Forest Road which leads to the forest. As for parking, there are no designated areas on the property. If you you were to stand at the town park in Belfast, you would head south down south main street for about five miles and right before you turn left to go into Angelica, on the right there is a road called Transit Hill. Take that and you will be on Coyle Hill.
The land originally provided job opportunities for younger men during the Great Depression. They were employed to plant hundreds of spruce and pine trees. Spruce and Pine trees are a great source for forest because they grow fast and can be cut down and sold at auction for firewood and logging jobs. They were setting themselves up for jobs in the future. On top of all of these sights, there are approximately 6 miles of marked recreational trails. This is where the majority of the people enjoy their walks, rides on ATV’s, horseback riding, camping and hunting.
This terrain is an amazing place for anyone looking for a place to calm yourself or just enjoy nature.The forest is filled with pine and spruce with plenty of open areas with direct sunlight. Be aware that it is public land, and you never know what you might come across in these woods. You could walk upon a hunter or find some others camping. This land isn’t insanely large, but it's also a decent size for a state forest. For example, the whole town is about 23,000 acres, so the forest alone is 10% of the town. 2,343 acres is a lot of land to explore. There are endless opportunities for these woods.
Numerous guidebooks and maps are available on information on the trails, water, and other recreational places for this area. I would highly recommend giving Coyle Hill State Forest a chance. Go on a hike, grab some friends to go camping, and just enjoy nature.
-by Matt Cater, Belfast Central School Class of 2024