What do hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling have in common? They are all activities that are covered by New York’s Recreational Use Statute, which was enacted to induce property owners who may be reluctant to permit people to come onto their property for recreational activities to do so without fear of 
liability.1

New York’s Recreational Use Statute, General Obligations Law 9-103, provides property owners immunity from liability when a plaintiff is injured while engaged in one of the statute’s enumerated activities while on land which is suitable for that activity. The statute provides that an owner, lessee or occupant of a premises owes no duty to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for several specified activities, or to give warning of any hazardous condition, use, structure, or activity to persons entering for such purpose. The complete list of activities which are covered under this statute are: hunting, fishing, organized gleaning,2 canoeing, boating, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, sledding, speleological activities,3 horseback riding, bicycle riding, hand gliding, motorized vehicle operation for recreational purposes, snowmobile operation, cutting or gathering of wood for non-commercial purposes, and training 
of dogs.

General Rule of Immunity

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