The Basics

Great Camp Santanoni and the Santanoni Preserve is nearly 13,000 acres of the Adirondack Forest Preserve and contains three historic areas to visit: the gate lodge, farm, and main camp. 

Only the gate lodge is accessible by car. The farm and main lodge must be reached by foot, bicycle, ski, or snowshoe, depending on the season, via a well-maintained historic carriage road. Outhouses are available at the trailhead and the main camp. Cell phone service is limited after the Santanoni farm.

NYSDEC prohibits electric bikes on all trails, including the Santanoni Road. A horse-drawn wagon is available daily in the summer; visit the summer page for more information about wagon reservations. Groups larger than 20 people must apply in advance for a Temporary Revocable Permit from NYSDEC.

The Gate lodge

The gate lodge, located just off of New York state route 28N, is adjacent to two parking lots and the trail head, and contains a small exhibit area and gift shop. The rest of the building is only open during special tours.

the farm 

The farm is one mile from the gate lodge and features several buildings, including the creamery, smoke house, and gardener's cottage, as well as the ruins of a massive barn complex lost to fire in 2004. In the gardener's cottage, there are scale models of the barn and the farm complex in its heyday.  

the main lodge

The main lodge and Newcomb Lake are about three-and-a-half miles beyond the farm, making the round trip to the main camp about 9 miles. In addition to the impressive main lodge, the artist's studio, boathouse, and several smaller buildings can be seen here.

There are also eight tent camping areas near the main lodge. Visit the summer page for more information about camping.