In August, we biked 9.8 miles to Great Camp Santanoni in New York’s Adirondack Park, and it was a really fun experience.
It’s the most unique historic site I’ve ever been to because it’s been left in pretty much the same condition that it was in when it was sold to New York State, besides some exterior maintenance. Not much is off limits for exploration, and things are in a state of decay.
You can wander around and see most parts of this great camp, with what is left of its abandoned belongings. There are original fixtures in the bathrooms, a huge wood stove in the kitchen, a walk in icebox, and a hot water heater from the 1950s. In a closet filled with random artifacts, we found this old rusty bike frame with the chain still on.
The ride in was on a well-maintained carriage road that is only open to bikers, walkers and a horse drawn carriage. The ride in is a steady climb that passes by the old farm complex, past fields, through forests, over stone and wood bridges, and finally to the edge of Newcomb lake were the great camp is perched.
If you go, leave plenty of time to wander around the many fascinating buildings, including a boat house full of boats visitors can take out onto the lake. It was an extremely peaceful and beautiful place to spend the day. Camp sites are available – be prepared for a rustic experience!
Find information about visiting here.
Beautiful area. So sad the buildings are not being maintained.
This place has always fascinated me from my first trip into the complex. The architecture and history of how it changed hands and the tragic loss of Douglas Legg. There has been much preservation done on restoring the great camp and surrounding buildings. The last time I visited there were student interpreters present to tell the history and preservation updates. A wonderful place to visit in any season.
Thank you for this lovely recap… Not sure I would have ever learned about this place if not for this story – Inspired to see for myself! What time of year was this adventure and where else did you explore?
I highly recommend it! I was there at the end of August. We stopped at Stoney Creek for lunch, Blue Mountain Lake, and went hiking near Indian Lake.