Experience Adirondack Great Camp Santanoni in the Winter

Take advantage of the MLK 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 January 13-15, 2024, over MLK weekend. Ski or snowshoe to reach the historic camp, considered to be one of the finest examples of Great Camp architecture.

Camp Santanoni’s first buildings were constructed in 1892-93, with more buildings added at the turn of the twentieth century. Santanoni was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

The tour begins at the Gate Lodge Visitors Center, where interpretive exhibits about Santanoni’s history are on display. The Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) will also be on hand to provide snowshoes for visitors. Then embark on a 10-mile round trip on gently rolling terrain that will take you past the Santanoni Farm and through the Forest Preserve on a wide, old road. 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 January? There are two more Camp Santanoni Weekends in 2024: February 17-19 (President’s Day Weekend) and March 16-17.

Visit Great Camp Santanoni’s website for more information.

 

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