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Three of these Great Camps have been designated National Historic Landmarks: Huntington's Pine Knot, Vanderbilt's Sagamore and J.P. Morgan's Uncas. Sagamore is the only Great Camp open to the public on a daily basis for guided tours as well as residential week and weekend programs. St. Williams on Long Point, designated a National Historic Place in 2005, opens its doors in July and August for programs, rentals and weddings. Boat access only, just getting there is an adventure.
History abounds in Raquette Lake. Besides Great Camps history, the story of the development of Durant's transportation system is fascinating. The NY Central train used to leave NY at 7 pm and arrive Raquette Lake station at 7 am. At one time all of the NY Central's ice needs were supplied by the ice harvesting on Raquette Lake- hundreds of carloads of ice over the winter were cut. Though on a much smaller scale today, the ice harvesting tradition continues in Raquette Lake, usually in February. Ask about the Marion River Carry Railroad, the shortest standard gauge railroad in the world. Just 3/4 mile long, the train conveyed steamboat passengers from the Raquette Lake side to the Eckford Chain of Lakes side of the Carry. The original rolling stock is on display at the Adirondack Museum, along with a diorma detailing the route the steamboat took from Raquette Lake village to the lower terminus where passengers got off the one steamboat, boarded the train for the short ride and then boarded another steamboat for the cruise into Blue Mountain Lake. Remember, this was in the days before Route 28 existed. Waterways were the highways.
Mountain bikers enjoy the 6 mile loop down the old railroad bed and return trip on the Uncas Road. Climbers enjoy the trek up West Mountain, altitude 2500 ft. Hikers enjoy the walk around Sagamore Lake. Campers take advantage of the numerous state campsites, Golden Beach and Browns Tract with road access and the lean-tos on Big Island, Clark's Point, Tioga Point and North Point with boat access only.
