How long is it into camp?

A 4.5-mile carriage road leads in to the Main Camp. It is a one mile walk to the historic farm. It is generally a 1.5-2.5 hour walk, cross-country ski, or snowshoe or a 30 minute to one hour bike ride in. It is a little quicker on the way out, as there’s more downhill!

What are the trail / road conditions?

The Santanoni carriage road is a gravel and dirt road. Plan to wear your hiking shoes or bring a bike with mountain bike tires. On the way in, the first three miles are generally uphill and the last 1.5 are downhill.

How do I ride the wagon?

The wagon is operated by Newcombe Farm, an independent contractor, and typically goes into camp once daily at 10 a.m. and leaves at 2:00 p.m., returning to the parking area around 3:30 p.m. The wagon ride takes about 1.5 hours each way. Advance reservations are required. To make a reservation, reach out to Newcombe Farm at 518-639-5534 or on Facebook at Newcombe Farm. The wagon brings people in for day trips and hauls in boats and gear for campers. The day trip rate is $40/person; campers should reach out to Newcombe Farm directly for rates.

Are dogs welcome?

Friendly, leashed dogs are absolutely welcome at Santanoni Preserve, on both the road and within the historic area. Sometimes they even come along on tours!

How long should I plan to spend at Santanoni?

It's your choice for how to travel in to the site, and how far you plan to go, though both will impact how much time you spend. Generally, visitors spend a half day at minimum and will likely spend a full day if they plan to walk or take the wagon and/or take a tour or canoe ride at camp.

When are the tours?

Tours are offered daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. between the Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekend. Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) offers day long-tours on occasion, and the Friends of Camp Santanoni hold special events on occasion. Reach out to AARCH, the Friends, check out our special events page, or refer to printed flyers for more information.

Are there bathrooms / where is the bathroom?

Outhouses are available at the Santanoni parking lot and at the Main Camp. Toilet paper is typically provided, but as on any hike in the backcountry, it never hurts to have some in your pack!

What are they going to do with this place?

A lot of work has gone into preserving Santanoni since it formally became a historic area in 2000. Since the 1990s, approximately two million dollars of grant, state, municipal, and private funds have gone into stabilizing the historic buildings at Santanoni, including the Gate Lodge, Farm, and Main Camp. The plan is to continue maintaining the buildings, gradually opening more areas to the public, and providing more interpretation of the site to the public, along with offering more events and programs.

There are no plans to turn the camp into an eco-lodge or hotel, retreat center, or other facility. Santanoni is the only public Adirondack Great Camp, and the plan is to keep it that way – a welcoming destination and retreat just as it always has been.

How can I be involved?

There are lots of ways to help preserve Camp Santanoni for the future. First – join the Friends of Camp Santanoni! Your donations fund critical preservation and interpretive projects. Second – attend our special events, share them with your friends, and follow us on Facebook for up-to-date information! We love seeing new faces at Santanoni. Third – volunteer! We need your help at volunteer work days, as site hosts, as docents, and to help us have successful events throughout the season. Reach out to us via email or on Facebook to express your interest.