Durant Days Returns to Raquette Lake This Summer
Great Camp Sagamore.
Durant Days returns to Raquette Lake from July 31 through August 2, 2026, celebrating the Adirondack community where William West Durant pioneered the Adirondack Great Camp architectural style.
Centered around Raquette Lake Village, Great Camp Sagamore, and the historic waters once traveled by William West Durant, this annual heritage festival blends history, architecture, music, boating traditions, and lakeside festivities into one quintessential Adirondack weekend.
William West Durant may not be a household name outside the Park, but his influence is impossible to miss. The architect and visionary behind the Adirondack Great Camp style transformed rustic living into an art form, creating wilderness retreats that attracted America's wealthiest families and helped define the Adirondacks as we know them today.
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Celebrating the father of Adirondack Great Camps.
Durant Days honors the man who was born in Brooklyn, NY, and forever changed Adirondack architecture. His Great Camps—built from native materials and designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape—remain among the region's most treasured landmarks.
Visitors will find much more than history lectures. Durant Days invites guests to step aboard historic waters, tour iconic camps, gather on the village green, and watch fireworks reflect across Raquette Lake.
It's the sort of weekend where a boat parade feels perfectly normal and arriving at church by water taxi somehow makes complete sense.
Explore Durant's Adirondacks by water.
The festivities begin Friday, July 31, with a visit to Historic Long Point from 8:30 am – 1:45 pm.
HIstoric Long Point on Raquette Lake.
Guests board the W.W. Durant for a narrated water taxi ride through South Bay, Pine Knot, Echo Camp, and St. William's before docking at historic Long Point.
Along the way, the lake becomes an open-air museum, with stories unfolding around every bend in the shoreline.
Reservations are required and may be made through Raquette Lake Navigation at 315-354-5532 or online.
Great Camp Sagamore takes center stage.
Saturday offers one of the weekend's highlights: half-price guided tours of Great Camp Sagamore at 10 am and 1:30 pm.
Once the wilderness estate of Alfred Vanderbilt, Great Camp Sagamore remains one of the Adirondacks' finest examples of Great Camp architecture. Towering pines, hand-hewn buildings, and a remarkable sense of place continue to transport visitors back to the Gilded Age.
See the birthplace of Great Camp architecture.
Experience the landscapes and architecture that made Raquette Lake a cornerstone of Adirondack history. This video offers visitors a closer look at Durant's legacy and why the central Adirondacks remain a destination for history lovers and outdoor travelers alike.
A visual journey through Raquette Lake and the enduring legacy of William West Durant, founder of Adirondack Great Camp architecture.
Raquette Lake continues to draw visitors from Old Forge, Long Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, and beyond for its unique blend of Adirondack history and waterfront culture.
Adirondack traditions on the water.
Saturday afternoon shifts from history to celebration.
Wide Variety, known for more than 25 years of harmony and humor, performs at 2 pm at either the Raquette Lake Village Green or the school (location to be announced).
At 6 pm, the annual Raquette Lake Boat Parade gets underway. Party barges, classic runabouts, pontoon boats, and creatively decorated floating contraptions are all welcome. Cash prizes add a little friendly competition, though local bragging rights may be the true prize.
As dusk settles over the lake, fireworks illuminate the shoreline in a fitting finale.
A Sunday unlike any other in the Adirondacks.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, August 2, with Vespers at St. Hubert's at 3 pm.
Accessible by boat taxi from the Town Dock, this beloved tradition offers a quiet and reflective ending to a weekend devoted to Adirondack heritage. Few places can claim a worship service that requires crossing a lake first—a reminder that Raquette Lake has always done things a bit differently.
St. Huber’s Isle on Raquette Lake.
ADK Taste insight.
William West Durant's Great Camp style influenced generations of Adirondack architecture. Today, many of the region's lodges, camps, and luxury retreats still borrow elements he pioneered more than 140 years ago: peeled logs, expansive porches, native stone, and buildings designed to feel like they grew from the forest itself.
Listen: The Gilded Age meets the Great Outdoors.
Learn how Great Camp Sagamore became one of the Adirondacks' most iconic destinations in this episode of ADK Talks. The conversation explores Gilded Age history, preservation efforts, and the people keeping Adirondack stories alive.
This ADK Talks episode provides valuable context for anyone attending Durant Days or planning a visit to Raquette Lake and Great Camp Sagamore.
ADK Taste recommendation.
Plan to spend the entire day on Saturday. Tour Great Camp Sagamore in the morning, grab lunch in Raquette Lake, stay for the afternoon concert, and stake out a spot along the shoreline before the boat parade and fireworks begin. Parking fills quickly near the village in the evening, so arriving early is well worth it.
Want more Adirondack weekends worth planning around? Subscribe to In Good Taste, ADK Taste's weekly newsletter featuring curated events, food finds, and stories from across the Park.
Camp Uncas, once owned by J.P. Morgan.
Event details.
Event: Durant Days
Dates: July 31 – August 2, 2026
Location: Raquette Lake, NY
Friday: Historic Long Point Visit, 8:30 am – 1:45 pm
Saturday: Great Camp Sagamore Tours (10 am and 1:30 pm), live music at 2 pm, boat parade at 6 pm, fireworks at dusk
Sunday: Vespers at St. Hubert's, 3 pm
More information: myraquettelake.com
Visitors are encouraged to check the official website and local event listings for updates regarding concert locations, weather, and boat transportation schedules.
FAQ
What are Durant Days in Raquette Lake?
Durant Days is a three-day festival celebrating William West Durant, founder of Adirondack Great Camp architecture, with tours, music, boat events, and historical programming.
W.W. Durant at Camp Pine Knot.
When are Durant Days 2026?
Durant Days takes place July 31 through August 2, 2026.
Where are Durant Days held?
Events take place throughout Raquette Lake, including Great Camp Sagamore, the Raquette Lake Village Green, St. Hubert's, and aboard the W.W. Durant.
Do I need reservations for the Historic Long Point tour?
Yes. Reservations are required for the Friday boat excursion aboard the W.W. Durant.
Is the Great Camp Sagamore tour discounted?
Yes. Guided tours during Durant Days are offered at half price.
Are the fireworks free to attend?
Yes. The Saturday evening fireworks over Raquette Lake are open to the public.
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