Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area Circuit
Technical Sullivan County hunting ground loop.
The Mongaup Valley WMA occupies 12,500 acres of rugged Sullivan County terrain where the old logging industry left a network of challenging tracks. The main circuit follows abandoned haul roads that climb steep grades through mixed hardwood forest, with the notorious “Shale Hill” section testing traction on loose rock slopes. Multiple stream crossings punctuate the route as you wind through valleys that once echoed with the sound of logging trucks but now host only the occasional hunter or wildlife manager. The eastern section threads through mature hemlock stands that somehow escaped the woolly adelgid.
Difficult rating comes from steep grades, loose surfaces, and seasonal stream crossings that can turn treacherous after heavy rain. Requires 4WD with low range and good tires—this isn’t casual high-clearance territory. Best tackled April through June and September through November to avoid hunting season closures and summer trail maintenance. No camping allowed, but the 15-mile loop makes a solid day trip from nearby state forest campgrounds. The reward is genuine backcountry solitude in an area most New Yorkers don’t know exists, plus occasional wildlife sightings including black bear and wild turkey.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 15 mi / 24.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD with low range |
| Nearest town | Forestburgh, NY |
| Land manager | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need lockers?
Low range and decent ground clearance are the minimum — factory skid plates help on the rocky sections. Lockers or a limited-slip will save you on the wet rock and loose shale, especially after rain. A stock Wrangler Rubicon can do it; a stock 4Runner Sport trim is going to struggle.
When is Mongaup Valley WMA actually passable, and what ruins a trip here?
Best windows are April–June and September–November. Spring mud season can make the old logging roads impassable even with 4WD, and hunting seasons mean heavy traffic in fall — wear orange if you're out there October through December. Summer growth closes in fast and obscures trail edges.
Do I need a permit to run this trail, and are there any fees?
No permit required and no fee — it's New York State DEC-managed public land. Hunting licenses are required if you're there to hunt, but wheelers and hikers just need to follow WMA rules: no motorized travel off designated roads, and check for any seasonal closures posted by NYSDEC before you go.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what actually makes it technical?
The rocky segments on the upper loop are where most rigs get hung up — exposed ledge rock with off-camber angles and little room for line correction. The water crossings add an unpredictable element after rain, when depths and bottom composition change significantly. Budget extra time here; it's not a place to rush a recovery.
Is there anywhere to camp inside the WMA, and how far is the nearest gas?
Dispersed camping is permitted in New York WMAs under DEC rules — no designated sites, no hookups, pack everything out. Nearest gas is in Monticello, roughly 15–20 minutes from the trailhead, so fuel up before you head into Forestburgh. There is zero cell service on trail, so download offline maps and have a paper backup.
Trail track
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