Visit to Camp Santanoni in Newcomb
For many adventurers exploring the Adirondacks, a visit to Camp Santanoni in Newcomb is a must. As the only Adirondack Great Camp fully owned by the public, it welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities, including the young, elderly, physically fit, and those with disabilities. Its diverse accessibility makes it a truly inclusive destination.
Camp Santanoni and the Santanoni Preserve
Nestled in Newcomb, Camp Santanoni and the surrounding Santanoni Preserve is a true treasure. Designated a National Historic Landmark, this site was built in the 1890s and early 1900s by banker Robert Pruyn. The camp comprises three distinct complexes:
- The Gate Lodge: Located at the end of Harris Lake, this serves as the trailhead for visitors.
- The Farm Complex: Situated about a mile from the gate, this area once supplied food for the entire camp.
- The Great Camp Complex: About five miles from the gate, this is where the main activities took place and is surrounded by the beauty of Newcomb Lake.
National Attention to the Camp Santanoni Historic Area
In 1971, the camp garnered national attention due to a tragic incident when eight-year-old Douglas Legg disappeared from the Great Camp and was never found. Douglas was a relative of the Melvin family, who purchased the preserve from the Pruyns in the 1950s. Following the unsuccessful search for the boy, Camp Santanoni, along with nearly 13,000 acres surrounding it, was sold to New York State and included in the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
Preservation of the Camp Santanoni Historic Area
Typically, structures within the Forest Preserve are either moved or destroyed, allowing the area to return to its natural state. Fortunately, most of the Great Camp, including the farm and gate complexes, was preserved. Today, it is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in collaboration with Adirondack Architectural Heritage, which is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the structures.
Visitors can enjoy Camp Santanoni year-round, with fall being particularly beautiful. In winter, the site becomes a popular destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The DEC opens the camp three times during the official winter weekends, allowing visitors to tour the interior and enjoy refreshments. During warmer months, the camp welcomes hikers, bikers, and even horse-drawn carriage rides, with occasional guided tours available.
Getting to Camp Santanoni
Reaching Camp Santanoni is straightforward. The main entrance is located just off Route 28N in Newcomb, where you’ll find the stone gate lodge complex, a boathouse on Lake Harris, and the former guide house. This area marks the official start of the trail, which is well-maintained and suitable for vehicle access.
The Trail and the Structures
The trail itself is relatively flat but gradually rises over five miles before descending to Newcomb Lake. A side trail leads to Moose Pond. Approximately a mile in, you’ll encounter the old farm buildings, which historically provided food for the Great Camp. The impressive stonework of these structures has withstood the test of time, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.
As you approach Newcomb Lake, Duck Hole can be seen to the east, while the left side offers picnic spots and official campsites. The Great Camp is less than half a mile away, creating an easy and scenic journey.
Various Modes of Transportation to Camp Santanoni
It’s common for visitors to utilize horse-drawn wagons to transport camping gear, including canoes and kayaks. Many campers opt to bike in their equipment or carry it in on foot. Additionally, there is a hiking trail around Newcomb Lake that provides access to even more campsites, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.
It was with my wife Adrienne along with my cousin Joe Stevenson and his wife, Dorie. Joe and Dorie are members of the Newcomb Sportsman’s Club and its private land boundary is just yards from the lower end of Duck Hole.
We visited them one summer day and paddled our way up to the Great Camp. None of them had ever seen it before so I couldn’t wait to show it to them.
Personal Experience at Camp Santanoni Historic Area
When we arrived that morning, we didn’t see anyone else around, including visitors coming in from the road. To our surprise the doors to the camp buildings were open, and it was obvious that there was some work being done, which I’m sure is an endless endeavor. Dorie and Adrienne vanished, but Joe and I could tell where they were as we kept hearing them gasp in awe at the architecture.
I’ve been in a few of the historic buildings in the past but this was a real treat. Seeing the great room in the main lodge and remembering what it looked like in photos puts things into perspective. Fireplaces are prevalent in each building and in most of the bedrooms. We visited the kitchen and service building, too, but most of all we just marveled at the outer structure such as the walkways. We also went down to the boathouse and visited the small beach on the other end of the property. Joe and Dorie couldn’t believe that such a treasure was a morning’s canoe paddle away from the camp.
One of the Great Mysteries of the Adirondacks
The disappearance of eight-year-old Douglas Legg remains one of the enduring mysteries in the history of the Adirondacks, a tragedy that continues to intrigue visitors and locals alike. As we paddled back down Upper and Lower Duck Hole that afternoon, the weight of this unsolved case lingered in the air, adding an eerie layer to the beauty surrounding us.
In their book, Santanoni, authors Robert Engel, Howard Kirshenbaum, and Paul Malo shed light on the unsettling events that unfolded at Camp Santanoni. They note that a caretaker at the camp expressed a strong belief that Douglas had drowned in the treacherous, quicksand-like muck that lies beneath the surface of the two Duck Holes. This theory, while unconfirmed, paints a haunting picture of the dangers hidden within the serene waters.
A footnote in the book reveals a chilling anecdote from a Pruyn family member, who recounted her childhood memories of the camp. She recalled being forbidden from wandering near the Duck Holes due to the inherent risks they posed. This sentiment underscores the longstanding awareness of the treacherous nature of the area, suggesting that even as children, the dangers were palpable and taken seriously by those familiar with the landscape.
As we paddled, the tranquil surroundings contrasted sharply with the tragic history, prompting reflection on the events that transpired in this beautiful yet mysterious part of the Adirondacks. The combination of stunning scenery and haunting tales serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nature’s beauty and its potential perils.
A Glimpse Into the Heyday of the Adirondacks
Camp Santanoni represents a period in the history of the Adirondacks that many would consider the heyday of the Adirondacks. That’s when people like the Pruyns and William West Durant were building Great Camps in the region. However tragic the incident of Douglas Legg was, it may be the way that this great camp wound up in state hands and in preservation there for all to see. And, it is worth the trip whether you go in by foot, bike, or horse and wagon.
Do You Need More Information About the Camp Santanoni Historic Area?
For more information on Camp Santanoni, including the winter weekends, visit their website: www.dec.ny.gov. If you’re interested in the horse and wagon ride, visit www.highpeaksgolf.com.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
