The Santanoni Bike Excursion

Saturday, August 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Camp Santanoni’s storied road has always been a popular mountain bike ride – and now you can pair that ride with a fully guided experience of all three of the site’s historic complexes! This exciting “bring your own bike” experience takes you to Santanoni’s Gate Lodge, Farm Complex, and scenic Main Camp overlooking Newcomb Lake.

Start your day with a brief orientation to Camp Santanoni, the only publicly-owned Adirondack Great Camp and one of the region’s most treasured historic places. Then, learn some of the secrets of the Gate Lodge, West Cottage, and surrounding landscape before setting off on the road. We will stop at a few points of interest on the 4.8-mile road, including the site’s historic Farm Complex, formerly a sprawling, 200-acre expanse that was home to several families and a remarkable array of animals.

Next, we will enjoy an extended tour of the Main Camp that includes a guided walk to the historic bathhouse for a stunning view of Newcomb Lake and the mountains beyond. This experience will offer something for new and seasoned visitors to Santanoni alike.

This outing is led by DEC Agency Preservation Officer Jennifer Betsworth, and begins at 9 AM and ends at 3 PM.

There is a suggested donation of $45. This event is first come, first served.

Please note that this excursion requires attendees to bring their own bicycles and cycle 9.6 miles (round trip) on a dirt road into and out of camp. The road features a mix of flat, rolling, and uneven terrain.

Paddling Newcomb Lake

Friday, August 14, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

All aboard for a guided paddling adventure around scenic Newcomb Lake and exploration of Camp Santanoni from the water. This outing will explore the lake’s natural and social history before and after the Great Camp’s construction. Paddle the same waters explored by Indigenous peoples traversing the High Peaks region, 19th-century loggers and tourists, and generations of recent visitors. Learn how the lake influenced the Great Camp’s final design and experience some the lesser-known parts of Santanoni’s story.

This outing is led by Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager Kelly Quimby and Dave Olbert of Cloudsplitter Outfitters. The tour begins at 10 AM and ends at 3:30 PM.

There is a suggested donation of $55. Kayaks and canoes are provided, as is transportation to the Main Camp via horse-drawn wagon. This outing is first come, first served.

Please note that this tour involves a two-mile paddle and navigating uneven ground and stairs. Boarding the wagon requires two steps to enter and exit.