Starting at $540/person - All Inclusive!
Canoes and kayaks are well-suited to the historic waterways surrounding Great Camp Sagamore. During this three-night, two-day adventure, we’ll paddle two routes that would have been regular journeys for the camp’s earliest visitors, all while staying in comfortable rooms and eating delicious, hearty meals. Great Camp Sagamore provides canoes and kayaks for this program, though space is limited. Program participants are welcome to bring their own canoes or kayaks for this program. This program is perfect for beginner and experienced paddlers alike. Paddle instruction is available and encouraged for beginner paddlers.
Paddling Routes
South Inlet
When Great Camp Sagamore was first built, steamboats and guide boats would have traveled this route to deliver Durant and Vanderbilt guests to the fringes of the camp’s estate (they’d still have a short carriage-ride ahead of them). Since many were traveling from New York City, this would have been the last leg of a multi-day trip.
We’ll launch in a scenic spot on Route 28. As we navigate the South Inlet’s gently-moving, meandering water this, our guide will talk about how this route connects to the region’s history and point out Adirondack plant and animal species along the way. We may see pitcher plants, tamaracks, water lilies, loons, mergansers, great blue herons, otters, turtles, and more! We’ll enjoy our lunches at a set of picturesque cascades before turning around and returning to the launch. Total length: around 4 miles on calm water.
Lost Brook and Sagamore Lake
The second historic paddling destination is Sagamore Lake’s inlet, Lost Brook. The chilly stream flows from the Blue Ridge Wilderness’s highest elevations. We’ll paddle across Sagamore Lake, and with the leadership of our guides, navigate around sandbars and into the mouth of Lost Brook. Once on the brook, we’ll challenge our paddling skills by slowly navigating around down trees and tight corners until deadfalls force us to turn around. Along the way we’ll enjoy the peace and quiet of balsam shrouded shores. Total distance: 2.75 miles on calm water.
When not on these paddling excursions, enjoy all that Great Camp Sagamore has to offer, including historic tours, evening campfires, bowling on our historic open air lanes, and great meals. Paddles will take pace in the morning when the water and wind are most calm. In the afternoon, we will offer optional guided hikes on the historic trails that surround Sagamore.
Note: Great Camp Sagamore will provide all canoes, paddles, and lifejackets. However, participants are welcome to bring their own if they would like.
Schedule Overview
Sunday: Check-in runs from 4:00-6:00pm, followed by a reception at the Main Lodge. At 6:00pm dinner will be served at the dining hall, followed by camp and boathouse orientation.
Monday Morning: Breakfast at 8:00am followed by a meeting with our trip leaders. Leave for Raquette Lake South Inlet at 9:45am. On the water by 10:15am.
Monday Afternoon: Lunch at the cascades. Return to camp in the afternoon for free time to take a tour, hike, bowl, or just relax.
Monday Evening: Dinner at 6:00pm followed by a presentation at 7:15pm.
Tuesday: 8:00 am breakfast. 9:15am-12:00pm guided paddle on Sagamore Lake and Lost Brook.
Tuesday Afternoon: Return to camp in the afternoon for lunch, then free time to take a tour, hike, bowl, or just relax.
Tuesday Evening: Evening campfire at Sagamore’s historic lean-to.
Wednesday Morning: Breakfast and check-out at 10:00am. Guests are welcome to take one last paddle or join the 10am historic tour before leaving.
Please call us if you would like to extend your stay!
