DEC Announces Camp Santanoni Winter Weekends

Winter Weekends: Jan. 18-20, Feb. 15-17, and March 15-16

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced three upcoming Winter Weekend events at the historic Camp Santanoni in the town of Newcomb in the Adirondacks. Hosted by DEC and Friends of Camp Santanoni, along with Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), the town of Newcomb, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's Adirondack Interpretive Center, the Winter Weekends invite visitors to enjoy winter recreation at a historic Adirondack great camp. The 2025 Winter Weekend events are scheduled for the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday weekend, Jan. 18-20; Presidents' Day holiday weekend, Feb. 15-17; and the weekend of March 15-16.

Interim Commissioner Mahar said, "DEC is thrilled to once again work with our partners to offer the public affordable and engaging opportunities to explore one of the historic treasures of the Adirondacks. Please join us for exclusive winter access to the preserved buildings of Camp Santanoni during these free Winter Weekends."

Camp Santanoni provides a 9.8-mile round-trip cross-country ski or snowshoe excursion. The trail traverses from the Gate Lodge Complex (map PDF), past the Farm Complex (map PDF), to the remote lakeside Main Camp Complex (map PDF), providing a moderate ski and a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

In addition to the popular 9.8-mile round trip from the Gate Lodge to the Main Lodge, cross-country skiers and snowshoers are encouraged to take the half-mile trail that connects Camp Santanoni to the nearby Adirondack Interpretive Center's 3.6-mile trail system. Skiers and snowshoers are welcome to recreate on the trail and surrounding lands every day during the winter months. However, during Winter Weekend events cross-country skiers and snowshoers have the opportunity to visit the Main Lodge and Artist's Studio to learn more of the camp's history with AARCH volunteers.

The Artist's Studio, a stone building near the main lodge on the shores of Newcomb Lake, is open as a warming hut during Winter Weekend events. Visitors can reheat by the woodstove before heading back outdoors for their return trip. Camp Santanoni buildings will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations are not required and there is no cost associated with the events. For more information, contact AARCH at (518) 834-9328 or visit DEC's Camp Santanoni Winter Weekends webpage. These affordable opportunities support the Governor Hochul's "Get Offline, Get Outside" initiative, to promote physical and mental health by helping New York's kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings.