New York State Forests are administered by the Division of Lands and Forests of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). There are four classifications:

1. Reforestation Areas
2. Multiple Use Areas
3. Unique Areas
4. State Nature and Historic Preserves

The types of State Forest are further described below. They include approximately 600000 acres (2,428.1 km²) classified as reforestation areas and approximately 100000 acres (404.7 km²) classified as multiple use lands. Land within the Adirondack Park or the Catskill Park is not included as part of the State Forest system.

Reforestation Areas

Lands obtained for reforestation and maintained for watershed protection, the production of timber and other forest products, and for recreation and related purposes. These areas must have at least 500 acres (202.3 ha) of contiguous lands that shall be forever devoted to the planting, growth and harvesting of such trees as shall be reforested.

Multiple Use Areas

Funded by the park and recreation land acquisition bond acts of 1960 and 1962 to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, including public camping, fishing, hunting, boating, winter sports. Wherever possible, the multiple-use-areas should also serve multiple purposes involving the conservation and development of natural resources, including the preservation of scenic areas, watershed protection, forestry and reforestation.

Unique Areas

Lands of special natural beauty, wilderness character, geological, ecological or historical significance; the unique areas may include lands within a forest preserve county outside the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

State Nature and Historic Preserves

Lands dedicated to the State Nature and Historic Preserve (as referred to in Section 4 of Article XIV of the State Constitution) are declared to be put to their highest, best and most important use for one or more of the following purposes:

1. As natural communities for maintaining plants, animals and natural communities;
2. As reservoirs of natural materials and ecological processes that contribute to the state's biological diversity;
3. As field laboratories for scientific research and education in the natural sciences, including the fields of biology, conservation, ecology, natural history and paleontology; and
4. As places of natural and historical interest and beauty which provide the public with passive recreational opportunities including, where appropriate, fishing, hunting and trapping, or commercial fishing opportunities that are compatible with protecting the ecological significance, historic features and natural character of the area.