Santanoni

The vast and diverse system of “forever wild” state-owned lands in the Adirondack Mountain region of New York is known collectively as the Adirondack Forest Preserve. The creation of the Forest Preserve in 1885 was one of the earliest acts of large-scale public land protection in the nation, hence it was one of the first chapters in the history of conservation in the United States. This undeveloped natural landscape is a haven for a host of distinctive plants, fish, and wildlife, some of which live nowhere else in the state. And with the beauty of its mountains, forests, lakes, and streams, the Forest Preserve is a recreational area much cherished by all New Yorkers.

When the 12,900 acre Santanoni Preserve was acquired by New York State in 1972, it became part of the Forest Preserve. The building complexes and carriage road at Camp Santanoni are classified as “historic” under the Adirondack State Land Use Master Plan and are now known as the Camp Santanoni Historic Area. This is a designation that Santanoni shares with the two other historic sites within the Forest Preserve-John Brown’s Farm, near Lake Placid, and the forts at Crown Point. The historic area is adjoined by the High Peaks Wilderness and the Vanderwhacker Wild Forest Areas.

Camp Santanoni, a National Historic Landmark, is one of the great treasures of the region. We welcome you to explore and enjoy this very special place.