Saratoga National Historical Park
Author: Chad H
Summary: Saratoga National Historical Park is a part of the National Park’s system and is a gem for recreation, history, and sightseeing. Located just east of Saratoga Lake in the town of Stillwater, the park has beautiful facilities which include a museum with artifacts and exhibits about the first major victory for the colonies during the Revolutionary War. There is an on-site gift shop as well, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Parts of the park are open year-round, while the tour road is closed December 1-March 31, and the museum only open on weekends during that time frame. In the winter, its various hiking trails convert into some of the best cross-country skiing in the area. The park is free to enter and use, and pets are welcome on the trails! Whether you’re looking for history, a serene drive, great hiking/running/biking paths, or a winter-time excursion for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, the Saratoga National Historical Park is a sure bet to find a great way to spend the day.
Date: Observations and data recorded on May 14, 2023
Site/location: Just a few miles east of Saratoga Lake - 648 Route 32 Stillwater, NY 12170
Distance from Camp Hudson Pines: 25 Miles (approximately a 40 minute drive)
Participants: 30 year old male, 26 year old female, 61 year old female, 64 year old female
Length of Observation: Approximately 4 hours
Links: https://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm
Activity: Driving in, you’ll be directed to the parking lot at the Visitor Center and Museum. If it is your first time at the park, we highly recommend stopping in and chatting with one of the park rangers to obtain a few maps and choose your adventure. There are also clean and well maintained restrooms at the visitors center and a fantastic view overlooking the primary battlefield. Legend says that if you come at a quiet time you can even hear the echoes of cannon fire still blazing in the valley.
We spent about 1.5 hours in the museum and got quite a bit more than we bargained for. The museum details the lead-up to the start of the Revolutionary War, and then dives into the specifics of the Battles of Saratoga. We learned about the key players, such as Benedict Arnold, General Philip Schuyler, and British General John Burgoyne. We were surprised to learn about the influences of French and German soldiers in the battle, and enjoyed a short documentary as well. The museum includes several cannons, weaponry, and other relics from the battle, and an excellent diorama showing a birds-eye view of the battle and its key locations.
After the museum, we took a little over an hour to enjoy the driving tour. Inside the visitor center you can access materials with the link to the driving tour, which will guide you to about a dozen lookout areas and detail what took place there. The views are fantastic and there are some really interesting points such as the famous Philip Schuyler House, marked out battle lines, and incredible wildlife viewing.
The driving tour is also accessible as a walking/biking trail. For those a bit more adventurous, you can take the 4.5 mile scenic hiking trail through the park which hits many of the same points of interest while giving you a bit closer of a look at the terrain and battlefields.
In the winter, these same trails convert into fantastic snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The road is not maintained from December 1-March 31, so, weather permitting, you can access both routes with your equipment and some cold-weather clothing in the offseason.
In addition to the Battlefield park, there are also directions and guides to several other attractions adjacent to the battle, including the Saratoga Monument (a 155 foot stone obelisk that you can climb!), the Philip Schuyler country estate, Saratoga National Cemetery, and more!
Description and photographs: All photographs are credited to the park website - https://www.nps.gov/sara/learn/photosmultimedia/photogallery.htm
Reflections: We had a fantastic time visiting the National Historical Park. Afterward, we headed to Doc Brown’s Beach and Restaurant for a bite to eat and to soak in even more great views of Saratoga Lake. Though it is a bit of a drive from Camp Hudson Pines, the Historical Park is well worth the trip and should be tacked on to any itinerary exploring the greater Saratoga area. Especially for those history buffs or those looking for some fantastic hiking or winter time activities.