Wildlife Management Areas are some of New York’s most incredible natural spaces. This one is no exception. The Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area has all the elements that make for a magnificent destination, even if they aren’t obvious at first. This one is a bit of a hidden gem. Not many people are aware of this wild spot hidden at the end of Seneca Lake. The Town of Watkins Glen and Watkins Glen State Park tend to overshadow almost everything else in the area. There is only a narrow dirt road that leads down to the wildlife management area, so as I said, aside from local fishermen, it remains almost unknown to the rest of the state.
Kayaking/Canoeing
Catherine Creek Wild Management Area is an ideal place to canoe and kayak. Lots of water to navigate and explore. There are several places to put in but my preference was the small dock by the lookout tower (which is about halfway down the road.) There is a small parking area in front of the tower. If you decide to climb the tower, you are treated to the most incredible view.
Hiking
There are numerous trails here to hike. Some of these double as bike trails. These trails are really lovely and perfect for bird watchers and nature lovers. When we visited we saw evidence of beavers and several turtles sunning themselves on logs. Also, the wildflowers along the trails are simply stunning.
The trails here are all fairly flat and not difficult, but they go a long way. You can get a pretty good workout here without having to deal with massive hills. We recently hiked here in early Spring. It was mostly dry and very green with early vegetation. There are lots of spots where you can get close to the water, and even a few dilapidated (but still crossable) bridges where you can cross over and explore the more hidden areas of Catherine Creek.
The trails have been reported as having a lot of ticks. I would not recommend that you hike here without taking the proper precautions. Wearing a tick repellent and proper clothing is a must.
Wildlife & Fishing
When we visited we saw lots of evidence of beaver activity, including beaver dams. This area is known for the massive numbers of rainbow trout, as well as just being a fruitful fishing area as there are 29 different species of fish in this area. If you are looking for other animals, there are beavers, turtles, and loads of other reptiles and amphibians. The Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area is popular with bird watchers as it is a designated bird conservation area. Over 64 different species of birds have been spotted within the wildlife management area.
Waterfalls
As we were driving down Rock Cabin Rd, we found numerous waterfalls along the roadside, pouring down the hillside to the Catherine Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area. If you visit in the springtime or after a heavy rainfall, this is a great spot to see waterfalls. There is an exceptionally large waterfall at the very end of Rock Cabin Road and N.L. – Hommedieu St. Don’t let a rainy day keep you from exploring and seeing some incredible scenery.
Getting to Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area
The Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area is located on Rock Cabin Rd. If you take Route 414 N/E. 4th Street from Route 14 south to Cass Rd. Take a right on Cass Rd. then a slight right onto Rock Cabin Rd.
Google Map Link
Have you visited Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area before? What did you think? Did you encounter any wildlife? We would love to hear from you. Leave us a comment below.