Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary

Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary is a protected forest and gorge covering 410 acres in Cattaraugus County. The land features northern hardwood forests with shale canyon walls and a creek running through its landscape.

The Nature Conservancy received its initial land donation from Miss Evelyn Alverson in 1960, and later acquired Deer Lick Falls from Herbert F. Darling. These gifts formed the foundation for the protected sanctuary.

The sanctuary serves as an educational center where researchers study American chestnut trees to develop resistance against blight through genetic combinations.

The site has 11 miles of marked trails at varying difficulty levels for different skill levels. Archery hunting requires written permission and is only allowed from October through December.

An 80-acre section of old-growth forest displays the geological formations of the Onondaga Escarpment through exposed rock layers. These visible stone strata tell the earth's history through the region.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 42.42110,-78.90570

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:23