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"As one of the earliest
examples of the Adirondack Great Camps, Camp Santanoni was
regarded at the time of its completion as the grandest of
all such Adirondack Camps to date."
(Adirondack Architectural Heritage)
 The
Santanoni Preserve is the largest tract of land donated to
the Adirondack Preserve in the last decade. The 12,500 acre
preserve is home to the Santanoni Lodge, built from 1892-93
and owned at that time by Robert C. Pruyn, a prominent Albany
banker and businessman. Great Camp Santanoni, now owned by
New York State and incorporated into the State
Forest Preserve, is open to the public. Santanoni is located
on route 28N between the Town Hall and Aunt Polly's Bed and
Breakfast.
 The
main lodge was actually a grouping of six separate buildings
all connected by a common roof and porch system. 1500 trees
were used in the log construction. With its log grill work
on the eaves, birch bark wall covering and hand hewn beams
in the two story high ceiling of the main living area, half-log
decorative patterns on many walls and doors, impressive fieldstone
fireplaces, and other structural and decorative features,
Santanoni is one of the most outstanding examples of Adirondack
rustic architecture.
In the summer, visitors can walk or bike 4.7
miles into the camp or take advantage of wagon rides. In the
winter, cross country skiers can take advantage of a beautiful,
flat 10-mile round trip ski.
 Equestrians
- Current negative Coggins test required. Out of State horses
also require health certificate.
Since 1993, the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, Adirondack
Architectural Heritage and the Town of Newcomb have begun
to preserve some of the major buildings at Camp Santanoni.
In 1998, this partnership, along with the hundreds of others
who love this special place, launched the "Friends of
Camp Santanoni" to provide long-term financial and volunteer
support for the camp.
 Although
a few later Adirondack camps had more property or more or
larger buildings, Santanoni's 12,900 acres, 45 or more buildings,
fine rustic workmanship, and large farm operation, considered
together, make Santanoni arguably the grandest of the Adirondack
Great Camps. Santanoni is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places.
 Theodore
Roosevelt and James Fenimore Cooper, Jr. were among many distinguished
visitors who regularly visited the Pruyns at their Adirondack
Camp. Robert C. Pruyn was an aide to Governor Dix, President
of National Commercial Bank (now Key Bank) and a Regent of
the University of the State of New York.
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