Home › New York › Public land › Grafton Lakes State Park
State park · 2026-27
Grafton Lakes State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state park in Rensselaer County, 2,612 acres.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Grafton Lakes State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Grafton Lakes State Park
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Mill Pond ParkingParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Where Grafton Lakes State Park is and who runs it
Grafton Lakes State Park sits in Rensselaer County, filed as a state park with a hunting program. Region 4 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the Capital District and northern Catskills. It is managed by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 2,612 acres are on record from NY State Parks Property layer. Sorted by acreage, the 83 state parks put it 13th.
From NYS Parks grafton lakes state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Grafton Lakes State Park is Pittstown State Forest, 2.2 mi away to the northwest. Combined: 30,269 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittstown | State forest | 2,342 | 4L | 2.2 mi | northwest |
| Tibbitts | State forest | 846 | 4C, 4L | 5.4 mi | northeast |
| Cowee | State forest | 4,908 | 4L | 7.6 mi | south |
| Taconic Ridge | State forest | 11,036 | 4L | 9.4 mi | southeast |
| Berlin | State forest | 1,949 | 4L | 12 mi | southeast |
| Cherry Plain | State park | 150 | 4L | 12 mi | south |
| Capital District | WMA | 6,865 | 4L | 12 mi | south |
| Bennington Battlefield | Historic site | 411 | 4C, 5S | 13 mi | northeast |
| Mount Tom | State forest | 1,725 | 5S | 16 mi | north |
| Washington | Detached parcel | 37 | 5S | 17 mi | north |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Grafton Lakes State Park regulations, plainly
Hunters on Grafton Lakes State Park follow the NYS Parks statewide hunting regulations:
- Permit first, then the designated areas: that is how hunting on Grafton Lakes State Park works.
- Implements, dates, species and areas are printed on the permit.
- Only portable stands the permit allows, set without tree damage; no permanent blinds.
- No hunting in posted Restricted Areas; harvest reports go to the park on request.
State law reminders for Grafton Lakes State Park
- Fluorescent orange or pink (250 square inches above the waist, or a hat at least half orange or pink) is required for anyone hunting deer or bear with a gun.
- Firearms may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, farm building, school, playground or church without permission; bows 150 feet, crossbows 250 feet.
- No baiting for big game, upland birds, turkey or waterfowl, and no salt or mineral licks for deer or bear.
- New York allows hunting on Sundays in every county.
From NYS Parks grafton lakes state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Grafton Lakes State Park hunting areas, species and implements
The park layer pairs each species on Grafton Lakes State Park with legal implements.
| Game | Allowed implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | All legal, Archery |
| Bear | All legal, Archery |
| Turkey (fall) | All legal, Archery |
| Turkey (spring) | All legal, Archery |
| Waterfowl | All legal |
| Migratory game birds | All legal |
| Furbearers | All legal, Archery |
| Small game | All legal, Archery |
DEC's park table shows a permit requirement. Park phone: (518) 279-1155.
Grafton Lakes State Park hunting area notes
- Waterfowl hunting is only allowed on Dunham Reservoir. Contact park office for additional information.
NYS Parks writes: Deer and small game hunting are allowed in season. Park hunting permit dates are September 1st to August 31st to cover the is required to obtain a park hunting permit. Hunting Permit Procedure for Grafton Lakes, Cherry Plain and Bennington Battlefield Complete and sign the hunting permit (
Park hunting files: NYS DEC hunting permit dates · hunting license · Hunting Permit Application & Rules · Hunting Permit & Guidelines
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 4L facts for Grafton Lakes State Park
The WMU map puts Grafton Lakes State Park in 4L; 4L spans 221 square miles of Rensselaer. DEC set a 2026 target of 400 Deer Management Permits for 4L; average DMP success there runs 21.4%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated PP Req. Southern Zone bear rules cover 4L. The fall turkey window for 4L is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L | Southern | 400 | 21.4% | PP Req | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 4L
4L yielded 620 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 543 | 439 |
| 2017 | 555 | 398 |
| 2018 | 643 | 479 |
| 2019 | 540 | 411 |
| 2020 | 734 | 467 |
| 2021 | 685 | 523 |
| 2022 | 620 | 383 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 4L came to 12.
DEC's bear plan for 4L reads "Maintain low bear density".
WMU facts from the 2026 DMP table, the 2026-27 DEC guide, DEC deer take reports and the DEC bear harvest dashboard; WMU from the DEC WMU layer; checked October 27, 2026.
Every season window on Grafton Lakes State Park
32 species have open dates on Grafton Lakes State Park this license year; the table holds 47 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 4L | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 4L | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 4L | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 4L | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 4L | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 4L | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 4L | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 4L | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 4L | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 4L | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Southeastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Southeastern Zone | Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Hudson Valley goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Hudson Valley goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Southeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Southeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Mink | Hunting (Southern Zone only) | Southern Zone | Nov 10, 2026 | Apr 7, 2027 | |
| Snapping turtle | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
Season rows from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, matched to the DEC WMU, duck zone and goose area layers; checked October 27, 2026. All New York seasons.
Ducks and geese at Grafton Lakes State Park
DEC lists Grafton Lakes State Park among its places to hunt waterfowl. Use the Southeastern zone duck calendar. Canada goose dates: Hudson Valley area.
| Map entry | Owner | Type | Special rules? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton Lakes State Park | NYSOPRHP | State Park | Yes |
Listed note: See State Park webpage for current rules and access information. Some parks may only allow boat access to public waterways.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Grafton Lakes State Park game species
The source names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and ducks and geese and more on Grafton Lakes State Park.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Oct 18
Migratory game birds
Oct 10–Oct 18
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from NYS Parks grafton lakes state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Grafton Lakes State Park: parking and maps
Map download: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks grafton lakes state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Grafton Lakes State Park: town and county harvest
Rensselaer County deer, 2025: 2,796.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,143 | 1,908 | 1,065 |
| 2022 | 3,080 | 1,732 | 1,093 |
| 2023 | 2,695 | 1,604 | 866 |
| 2024 | 2,588 | 1,507 | 878 |
| 2025 | 2,796 | 1,601 | 935 |
DEC deer take by town and county (towns 2007-2019), county deer take 2021-2025 and DEC bear take by town; checked October 27, 2026.
Grafton Lakes State Park hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Grafton Lakes State Park; the game column adds the big game half hour and the bird column stops at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and bear | Waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:45 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:17 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:53 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:16 a.m. | 4:21 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 4:21 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:24 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:50 a.m. | 7:52 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. |
Hours rule from the DEC guide sunrise and sunset page; sun times calculated for the county centre (NOAA method), checked against the guide’s Albany table; checked October 27, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Grafton Lakes State Park: nearby towns and services
Hoosick Falls is the nearest town with its own page, 9.0 mi from Grafton Lakes State Park.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoosick Falls | Rensselaer | 9.0 mi | 3,190 | 7,692 |
| Valley Falls | Rensselaer | 10 mi | 453 | 2,356 |
| Averill Park | Rensselaer | 12 mi | – | 11,499 |
| Troy | Rensselaer | 13 mi | 51,065 | 392 |
Grafton Lakes State Park falls inside these county guides: Rensselaer County.
Grafton Lakes State Park: businesses close by
12 licensed guides are registered in Rensselaer County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Grafton Lakes State Park
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; businesses from store locators and listings; DEC offices and licensed guide counts from DEC. Checked October 27, 2026.
Nearest public range for Grafton Lakes State Park hunters
From Grafton Lakes State Park, Saratoga Sand Plains WMA Archery Range is the nearest DEC or government-run range (27 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Grafton Lakes State Park in pictures
Grafton Lakes State Park: short answers
What game is found on Grafton Lakes State Park?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ducks and geese, migratory game birds and furbearers top the list.
How long is spring turkey on Grafton Lakes State Park?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Grafton Lakes State Park?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When does waterfowl open at Grafton Lakes State Park?
It is in the Southeastern Zone; split one Oct 10 to Oct 18, 2026.
Which town page is closest to Grafton Lakes State Park?
Hoosick Falls, about 9.0 mi away.
Can I hunt anywhere in Grafton Lakes State Park?
No, only the designated hunting areas.
How does access work on Grafton Lakes State Park?
Get the regional hunting permit for this park; it lists areas, species and dates.
What does Grafton Lakes State Park measure?
About 2,612 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Grafton Lakes State Park?
WMU 4L, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Grafton Lakes State Park?
WMU 4L: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Grafton Lakes State Park?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 4L).
What are the DMP odds near Grafton Lakes State Park?
Resident first-permit odds in 4L are PP Req; the target is 400.
Grafton Lakes State Park: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Grafton Lakes State Park, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: NYS Parks grafton lakes state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0).