Saratoga County is the Outdoor Place to Be!
Hiking. Cycling. Mountain Biking. Running. Golfing. Kayaking. Paddleboarding. Skiing. Snowshoeing. Rowing. Swimming. Fishing. Whitewater rafting.
Name an outdoor activity that you love to do and we'll find you a great place in Saratoga County to do it.
Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Spa State Park, distinguished by its classical architecture and listed as a National Historic Landmark, is noted for its diverse cultural, aesthetic and recreational resources. In addition to the nationally-known Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Spa Little Theater, the National Museum of Dance, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, the Gideon Putnam Resort and Roosevelt Baths and Spa, the park offers a multitude of traditional recreation opportunities.
The Peerless Pool Complex consists of a main pool with a zero-depth entry, separate slide pool with a 19-foot double slide and a children's wading pool with a mushroom fountain. The Historic Victoria Pool is a smaller pool surrounded by arched promenades. Both pool areas include food and beverage services, showers, locker rooms and restrooms.
The Saratoga Spa State Park Golf Course offers two beautiful golf courses - a championship 18-hole course and a challenging nine-hole course - complete with pro shop and restaurant. The gentle terrain offers picnic areas, shady streamside trails suitable for the nature-lover or the casual walker, as well as certified running courses used by joggers and high school and college athletes. Winter activities include ice skating, ice hockey and cross-country skiing on approximately 12 miles of trails.
Saratoga National Historic Park
This park that runs along the Hudson River, is where American forces met and defeated the British Army, offers tours of a battlefield, historic monument and forest trail. With its 3,392 acres, there's plenty of outdoor space to let your imagination run wild, literally or figuratively.
The Great Sacandaga
The Great Sacandaga Reservoir is an undiscovered mecca for boating, water sports, snowmobiling, skiing, fishing and all kinds of recreation.
The lake's surface area covers 42 square miles and includes 125 miles of shoreline. It is 39 miles long with an average depth of 40 feet.
Just 22 miles from Saratoga Springs, the Great Sacandaga Lake offers visitors spectacular scenic beauty and an environment rich with outdoor amenities.
Moreau Lake State Park
Moreau Lake State Park's lake lies amid hardwood forests, pine stands and rocky ridges. Shady groves of trees shelter picnic grounds and a pavilion overlooking the lake. Wooded campgrounds are quiet and secluded, offering facilities for group campers, as well as tent and trailer sites.
The sandy beach, nature, hiking and cross-country ski trails, opportunities for boating, fishing and ice fishing, and proximity to the Saratoga Springs and Lake George areas make the park attractive to visitors seeking an outdoor adventure. In the summer, beach lounges, beach umbrella and fishing gear can be rented. In the winter, snowshoes are available for rent daily.
The Champlain Canal
Schuylerville is one of New York’s most historic villages and sits alongside the Champlain Canal. There are countless opportunities to learn about how the canalside village and its illustrious residents shaped the history of our country almost 250 years ago. Nearby Saratoga Springs is home to beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park, with mineral springs and pristine hiking trails, as well as Saratoga Lake, where visitors can kayak and paddleboard. In the evenings, enjoy award-winning local breweries and restaurants.
Hike, bike, or rent a kayak or paddleboard at the Kayak Shak on Fish Creek, where you can also explore Saratoga Lake (251 County Route 67, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 587-9788, $25 for 3 hours)
Peebles Island State Park
Peebles Island State Park is at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. It offers spectacular river and rapids views for walkers and joggers who take advantage of the miles of paths through the gently rolling and wooded landscape. Picnickers and fishermen come to relax and winter visitors use the facilities to cross-country ski, hike and snowshoe.
Amenities: Fishing, Grills, Hiking, Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)*, Snowshoeing/X-Country Skiing,Waterfalls
Get more info on Peebles Island State Park »
Useful Links
Saratoga County Trails Local nonprofit Saratoga PLAN has helped develop over 200 miles of recreational and alternative-transportation trails throughout the county. The trails, trailheads, parking areas and canoe launch sites in Saratoga County have been mapped and are available online.
Whitewater Rafting
Join the thousands of visitors that know about one of Saratoga County’s best kept secrets - whitewater rafting on the Sacandaga River.
Sacandaga River
With a Class II and III rating, the Sacandaga River is the perfect adventure for the entire family, young and old. Plus, as the most commercially rafted river in the area, it is easy for families and groups to experience their first whitewater rafting trip. The Sacandaga River is also open to the public and welcomes visitors who are able to tame the rapids on their own.
Visitors do not need any experience or any special gear to make a trip down the river. There are a number of commercial outfits in the area to choose from, which provide all the equipment needed to go whitewater rafting, as well as licensed and certified guides. If something is forgotten, visitors can usually purchase or rent anything that is not included in their whitewater rafting package.
One advantage of the Sacandaga is that it is not limited to the traditional whitewater rafting season, because the water flow is controlled by a dam on the Great Sacandaga Lake. Visitors can find guided adventures on the river from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. The water flow is the same all day, every day and is the only continuous release in the area. With a minimum of eight hours and up to 12 to 15 hours of rapids, visitors won’t be limited to “high” times to get their thrill. The river is ready when its guests are. View Sacandaga Activities »
Hiking
Hadley Mountain
When you reach the summit you will have excellent views of the Great Sacandaga Lake to the south. On a clear day one can see the High Peaks to the north and Lake Champlain to the east. Hadley Mtn. is located north of Saratoga Springs in the Wilcox Wilderness area of the Adirondack State Park. A couple of sections on the hike are steep and will definitely get the heart pumping. The fire tower at the top is one of the 34 remaining towers in the Adirondack Park. This tower and similar ones were built in the middle of the 1900s for spotting forest fires. A summit steward is stationed here during the summer to provide information on the area and open the tower for hikers. Visit Hadley Mountain Trail's website »
Moreau Lake State Park
With over 3,000 acres, this New York State Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking trails run throughout the park. It contains the Moreau Lake Bird Conservation Area and Moreau Lake Forest is designated as an Audobon Important Bird Area. The park also hosts seasonal camping, beach and picnic area and year-round events. Visit Moreau Lake Stake Park's website »
Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve
This nature preserve is located in southern Saratoga County along the Mohawk River. The trail system is well maintained and integrates sections of the Old Erie Canal and Towpath. As you stroll along the Mohawk River, there are historical markers providing information dating back to the early 1900s. The restored historic Whipple Bridge connects the trailhead and parking area along Riverview Road to the preserve.
Walking less than a mile east from the footbridge, the trail ends at Clute’s Dry Dock. The trail heading directly south from the bridge will take you to the river’s edge and will provide beautiful scenery of the Mohawk River. There is access here for launching a canoe or kayak. This nature preserve is popular among dog walkers and joggers. Visit Vischer Ferry Preserve's website »
Wilton Wildlife Preserve
Camp Saratoga was operated as a Boy Scout camp from 1930 to 2001, then it became part of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. The preserve is 310 acres and located only eight miles from downtown Saratoga. The trails are excellent for jogging, walking and easy mountain biking. As you explore you will notice old lean-tos and buildings once used by the scouts. This habitat supports the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. Visit Wilton Wildlife Preserve's website »
Cycling
Cycling around our Saratoga County's small towns and cities, through the beautiful countryside or exploring the state and local parks offers amazing scenery, breathtaking views, maritime marvels, history fun and so much more. Whether it is along roadside routes, multi-purpose paths, nature trails or wooded terrain on Daniels Road, Saratoga County has miles of cycling and mountain biking experiences for all ages and all abilities.
Saratoga National Historic Park
For a great history lesson, follow the official 10-mile tour road within the 3,000-plus acre Saratoga National Historical Park that is known as the place where the Turning Point of the American Revolution occurred. The views of the Hudson River Valley from the hilltops and lookouts that played a crucial role in the victory at Saratoga over 200 years ago, are the same views that make this ride both breathtaking and serene. The park’s landscape and Battlefield are virtually untouched from the days when it changed American history. For more details about options to explore this National Park visit the Saratoga National Historic Park's website »
Zim Smith Trail
A backbone of the county trail system, the Zim Smith trail is a paved, 11.5-mile multi-use trail connects Ballston Spa to Mechanicville through the towns of Ballston, Malta and Clifton Park, the village of Round Lake and Mechanicville. Owned by Saratoga County, the Zim Smith Trail is the only trail in New York state to be designated a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of Interior and National Park Service. National recreation trail designation recognizes existing trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. The trail is well maintained and is excellent for strollers, wheelchairs and bicycles. For more information visit the Zim Smith Trail website »