Experience Adirondack Great Camp Santanoni in the Winter

Take advantage of the President’s Day holiday weekend to experience an Adirondack Landmark near Newcomb, NY.

Photo courtesy The Friends of Camp Santanoni

Adirondack Great Camp Santanoni hosts another of its popular winter weekends on February 17-19, over President’s Day Weekend weekend. Ski or snowshoe to reach the historic camp, considered to be one of the finest examples of Great Camp architecture.

The first buildings of Camp Santanoni were built during 1892-93, and later more buildings were added at the start of the twentieth century. In 1987, Santanoni was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 2000, it was declared a National Historic Landmark.

The tour will commence at the Gate Lodge Visitors Center, which houses informative exhibits about the history of Santanoni. The Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) will also be available to provide snowshoes for visitors who can then embark on a 10-mile round trip journey over gently rolling terrain, passing through the Forest Preserve on a wide, old road, and also the Santanoni Farm. Please note that there is no vehicle access.

Once visitors reach the camp, they can enter the Main Lodge to view displays about the Great Camp and take short interpretive tours with Adirondack Architectural Heritage volunteers. Buildings will be open to the public from 10-3.

The Artist’s Studio, a stone building near the Main Lodge on the shores of Newcomb Lake, will serve as a warming hut. Enjoy free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate by the wood stove. Guests are encouraged to BYOC (bring your own cup) to keep the environmental impact low, although the hosts promise to have plenty of cups on hand.

While there, why not take the half-mile trail connecting the Santanoni Road to the Adirondack Interpretive Center’s 3.6-mile trail system? The AIC’s buildings will be open during the weekend.

Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Town of Newcomb, and the Adirondack Interpretive Center deserve a big round of thanks for organizing and hosting this event.

Note: Winter conditions can change quickly in the ADK, especially in the backcountry. Be prepared with extra warm clothing and adequate supplies for your trip.

Can’t make it in February? Another Camp Santanoni Winter Weekend is March 16-17, 2024.

Visit Great Camp Santanoni’s website for more information.

 

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