2026 Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni
A rare chance to experience an Adirondack great camp in its quietest, most magical season.
Great Camp Santanoni’s Gatehouse.
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into Adirondack history on snowshoes or skis, Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni offer a truly special opportunity. On three weekends during the heart of winter—January 17–18, February 14–15, and March 14–15, 2026—visitors are invited to explore this iconic Great Camp when it’s normally accessible only by a long winter journey.
These Winter Weekend events open the doors to Santanoni’s Main Camp, welcome visitors into the lakeside Artist’s Studio for warmth and hot drinks, and celebrate the joy of slow, human-powered travel through a snow-covered historic landscape. It’s part outdoor adventure, part living history, and entirely Adirondack.
What are Winter Weekends at Santanoni?
Winter Weekends are special, limited-access events that allow visitors to tour the Main Camp at Great Camp Santanoni during winter—something that doesn’t happen often.
From the trailhead, visitors ski or snowshoe the approximately five-mile route to the camp, following the historic carriage road through the Santanoni Preserve. Along the way, the quiet of winter sets the tone: snow-draped evergreens, frozen wetlands, and the sense that you’re traveling much as guests would have more than a century ago—minus the horse-drawn sleigh.
Ski in and ski out of Great Camp Santanoni.
Once at the Main Camp, visitors can explore the preserved buildings, learn about Santanoni’s history, and warm up before heading back out.
A warming stop at the Artist’s Studio.
One of the highlights of Winter Weekends is the Artist’s Studio on the shore of Newcomb Lake, which will be open from 10 am to 3 pm as a warming hut.
Inside, a crackling woodstove sets the mood. Visitors are invited to bring their own mug—or borrow one on site—and enjoy free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It’s a simple but memorable pleasure: warming your hands, gazing out at the frozen lake, and soaking in the stillness that makes winter at Santanoni so special.
Snowshoes available for beginners and first-timers.
No snowshoes? No problem.
Beginning at 9 am on event days, the Adirondack Interpretive Center will provide snowshoes free of charge for visitors who don’t have their own.
Pick-up is at Newcomb Pines, 5699 Route 28N, Newcomb.
This makes Winter Weekends especially welcoming for those who are curious about winter travel but may not yet have the gear—or the confidence—to dive in on their own. It’s an easy entry point into snowshoeing, paired with a rewarding destination.
Need additional gear? Shop local.
Cloudsplitter Outfitters is open by appointment for rentals of Altai Hoc Skies and Snowshoes. Reaching out ahead of time ensures you’ll have the right gear—and it’s a great way to support a local business that helps make Adirondack adventures possible year-round.
A brief history of Great Camp Santanoni.
Built between 1892 and 1894, Great Camp Santanoni was the private retreat of Albany banker Robert C. Pruyn and his wife, Anna. Designed in a rustic style that would later influence Adirondack architecture nationwide, Santanoni was one of the earliest and most ambitious Great Camps.
Unlike many Great Camps, Santanoni was organized as a complex of distinct areas: the Gate Lodge, the Main Camp, and the Farm, all connected by miles of carriage roads. This thoughtful layout allowed guests to experience wilderness, comfort, and working landscapes as part of a single estate.
After decades of use and later decline, Santanoni was saved through a remarkable preservation effort. Today, it is owned by New York State and stewarded through a partnership that includes Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Town of Newcomb.
Santanoni’s main lodge covered in snow.
Why winter is the most magical time to visit.
Santanoni is beautiful in every season, but winter offers something rare: quiet and solitude. Snow softens the landscape, muffles sound, and slows everything down. Without summer crowds or bike traffic, visitors experience the camp much as early winter guests once did—by traveling in under their own power and staying long enough to truly arrive.
The journey itself becomes part of the experience. Reaching the Main Camp feels earned, and warming up inside historic buildings after a snowy trek creates a deeper connection to the place and its past.
Event details at a glance.
Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni 2026.
Dates: January 17–18, February 14–15, March 14–15, 2026
What’s open: Main Camp tours; Artist’s Studio warming hut
Warming hut hours: 10 am–3 p.m.
Free snowshoe loans: Available beginning at 9 a.m. from the Adirondack Interpretive Center
Hosted by: Santanoni Partners (AARCH, NYS DEC, Town of Newcomb)
Why this belongs on your winter calendar.
Winter Weekends at Santanoni are more than an outing—they’re an invitation to slow down, step into history, and experience the Adirondacks at their most serene. Whether you’re a seasoned winter traveler or trying snowshoeing for the first time, this event combines accessibility, education, and atmosphere in a way few winter events can.
Bundle up, bring a mug, and let Santanoni work its quiet magic.
For more information and directions, visit Great Camp Santanoni’s website.
See Great Camp Santanoni in winter.
Places to stay, shop, eat, and things to do near Newcomb, NY.
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ADK Talks Podcast
Listen to our episode with Erin Tobin from AARCH to learn more about the rustic grandeur of Santanoni. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
