How You Can Help   From the rugged forests of Zoar Valley to the sand dunes of Lake Ontario, with your help we can keep central and western New York protected for nature and for people. Deer Lick Fast Facts Location: Cattaraugus County, NY.  Find out how to visit! Size: Approximately 400 acres Priority:  Deer Lick Conservation Area is contained within the Zoar Valley Priority Conservation Landscape. The bald eagle prefers habitats near seacoasts, rivers, large lakes and other large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish. Did You Know? Fight the Blight:  The Zoar Valley is the northern edge of the range of the American chestnut tree, which has been decimated by the chestnut blight, an invasive fungus from Asia. Young chestnut trees aren’t affected until they reach a size of 8” diameter at breast height, and many young chestnut sprouts can be found at Deer Lick. Researchers are trying to develop a blight-resistant American chestnut by combining American chestnut genes with those from Asian varieties that are resistant to the blight.   Contact Us For more information, please contact: The Central & Western Chapter 1048 University Avenue Rochester, NY 14607 (585) 546-8030

Located within the rugged Zoar Valley priority conservation landscape, Deer Lick Conservation Area is a designated National Natural Landmark found on the South Branch of Cattaraugus Creek. 

Deer Lick offers a variety of forests types to experience, from meadow edge pioneer species to old-growth hemlock-northern hardwoods. Catch glimpses of striking shale canyon walls during your hike. Nearby state lands provide access to the creek bed, providing a unique opportunity to view deep gorge canyons from the bottom up. The serene, rugged beauty of these canyons is not to be missed!

What to See

Animals: The creek supports the rare tiger beetle and sand darter and is an important steelhead fishery. Black bear and bald eagles have also been spotted here.

Plants: The forest here is exemplary. Many ancient sugar maple, American beech, and black cherry trees have grown over 100 feet tall.

What to Expect

At this preserve, you can hike through several hundred acres of unspoiled forest.

Deer Lick is open from dawn to dusk and features five hiking trails, from short, easy ventures to more challenging treks:
 
• Blue Trail (0.9 mile): Over hilly terrain through old apple orchard. Watch for deer feeding on apples.

• Red Trail (1.1 miles): Easy walking mostly through open meadows and along the top of a forested ravine.

• Orange Trail (2.1 miles): Pleasant hiking through hilly forest terrain paralleling Deer Lick Creek. This makes a beautiful fall foliage hike.

• White Trail (3.2 miles): Follows a ridgeline over the highest point at Deer Lick, through old-growth forest to Bear Point, where there are views of the gorge and tall trees. Trail passes over Melissa’s Spring, a seep discharging water from the base of a slope.

• Yellow Trail (3.3 miles): Explores the Deer Lick ravine, wanders through old-growth forest and leads to a view of the top of Deer Lick Falls.

Please remember! Many attractive lands in the Zoar Valley are privately owned. Please observe posted signs and obtain permission before accessing any private property. No alcohol or glass containers are permitted in Deer Lick.

How to Visit

Directions: 

• From Erie County, take US Route 62 to Gowanda.
• Turn east on S. Water St. (the first street south of the bridge), which becomes Commercial St., and then Palmer St.
• Turn right onto Broadway (County Rt. 4). 
• Continue on Broadway approximately 1 mile. 
• Turn left on Point Peter Rd. to Deer Lick (about 0.5 miles past Forty Rd. on the left).
  

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Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Carl Heilman II (Deer Lick Creek); Photo © TNC (children); Photo © Jack Mills (bald eagle).