Deer Lick Conservation Area

Deer Lick Conservation Area is a serene park and tourist attraction located at Point Peter Road in Gowanda, New York, United States. Visitors can explore a variety of forest types and rugged canyons within this beautiful preserve. Please note that the area is open for archery hunting only during hunting season (Oct 1 - Dec 22) and written permission is required to hunt on Conservancy lands.

Situated within the Zoar Valley priority conservation landscape, Deer Lick Conservation Area is a designated National Natural Landmark along the South Branch of Cattaraugus Creek. The area offers diverse forest types, from meadow edge pioneer species to old-growth hemlock-northern hardwoods, with striking shale canyon walls to admire during hikes.

While the gorge bottom of the South Branch of Cattaraugus Creek on The Nature Conservancy property is off-limits, visitors can explore the area by hiking downstream from the NYSDEC Forty Road Parking Lot. The Zoar Valley is known for being the northern edge of the American chestnut tree range, with researchers working on developing a blight-resistant variety.

Deer Lick is open from dawn to dusk and features five hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. Keep an eye out for black bears and bald eagles, as well as ancient sugar maple, American beech, and black cherry trees towering over 100 feet tall. Please respect private property boundaries and refrain from bringing alcohol or glass containers into the area.

Managed by The Nature Conservancy, Deer Lick Conservation Area is part of the organization's efforts to protect wildlife and natural systems across the United States. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of this preserve while connecting with the natural world and supporting conservation efforts.