Great Camp Santanoni

Morning Bird Walk with Charlotte Demers

Friday, May 8 at 10 a.m.

Join us for a morning bird walk at the Santanoni Preserve.

Participants will meet in the upper parking lot at 10 a.m. to begin a one mile stroll to the Farm Complex. A slow paced walk on this flat dirt road should result in seeing or hearing some of the 98 species of birds that have been recorded at Santanoni.

Plan on two hours to reach the Farm Complex, with the return to the parking lot at your own pace. This is a great trip for beginning birders.

Participants should bring insect repellent, water, snacks, and appropriate footwear/clothing for a two-mile round trip hike. Binoculars will be provided.

This walk is co-sponsored by AARCH and the Adirondack Interpretive Center.

This is a free event and no pre-registration is required. Email kelly@aarch.org for more information.

Santanoni Preserve: A Guided Journey Through Adirondack Conservation and History with Laura Baker

Sunday, May 17 at 10 a.m.

Step into the story of the Adirondacks through the lens of one remarkable place and one influential family. This guided tour explores only a portion of Santanoni Preserve, the former wilderness retreat of Robert and Anna Pruyn, whose vision helped shape both the landscape and legacy of the region.

You’ll discover how late 19th-century wealth met wild nature in a carefully designed balance. The tour highlights how Pruyn and his family embraced the ideals of conservation—long before it became a national movement—through sustainable forestry, a working farm, and the preservation of vast wilderness.

Set within Adirondack Park, one of the largest protected landscapes in the United States, this tour also commemorates the park’s anniversary on May 20—a moment to reflect on the enduring “Forever Wild” legacy that has protected these lands for generations.

You’ll learn how the creation of the park paralleled and reinforced the Pruyn family’s approach to responsible land stewardship.

Meet at 10 a.m. at the Gate House. From there, we will walk approximately one mile to the farm. Please wear sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for walking, and be sure to bring water.

Laura Baker is a NYS Outdoor Guide and the owner of Adk Heartscape Trails and Tales LLC, a business dedicated to sharing regional stories of the Adirondacks. As a fourth-generation Adirondacker and avid hiker, Laura combines her love for nature with her passion for educating others through interpretive guiding. She brings the rich history and beauty of the Adirondack region to life, helping others connect with its natural wonders. Whether sharing the trails or local tales, Laura’s deep connection to the Adirondacks shapes her work and inspires others to explore the heart of this stunning landscape.

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Spring Wildflower Walk with Charlotte Demers

Sunday, May 24 at 10 a.m.

Join us for a leisurely walk to the Santanoni Farm as we look for spring wildflowers.

Along the way, we'll learn how to identify a variety of seasonal blooms, and learn about the cultural and natural history of these beautiful plants. 

Participants should bring insect repellent, water, snacks, and appropriate footwear/clothing for a two-mile round trip hike. Meet in the upper parking lot at 10 a.m.

This is a free event and no pre-registration is required. Email kelly@aarch.org for more information.

The Santanoni Workforce Tour

Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

From butlers to builders and guides to gardeners, there have been scores of people who have worked at Great Camp Santanoni since construction began more than 130 years ago. This tour delves into the lives of the people who labored to make Camp Santanoni the iconic landmark that it is today. Explore these stories from Santanoni’s birth as a Great Camp to its new life in the modern age as a state-managed recreation area and historic site. As you trek to each area of the preserve, learn more about the people who contributed to Santanoni’s story — you may even meet some of them in person!

This outing is led by Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager Kelly Quimby. The tour begins at 9 AM and ends at 3:30 PM.

There is a suggested donation of $45. This outing is first come, first served, as is space on a horse-drawn wagon.

Please note that this tour involves walking on uneven ground and navigating stairs. Entering and exiting the Main Camp is done by boarding a wagon (requiring two steps to enter and exit) or a 9.6-mile (round-trip) hike/bike on a dirt road.

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 paddleand navigating uneven ground and stairs. Boarding the wagon requires two steps to enter and exit.