Explore the History of the Adirondack Great Camp
Long before Lake Placid became a bucket list destination for skiers and hikers, wealthy families from New York City and Boston were already building rustic retreats deep in the Adirondack wilderness. These sprawling, handcrafted compounds became known as Great Camps, and their influence on the region's architecture is still easy to spot today. At Whiteface Lodge, that same spirit of rustic luxury shaped much of our own design, and a handful of historic camps are still open for visitors to explore firsthand.
What Is an Adirondack Great Camp?
The first Adirondack Great Camp, Camp Pine Knot, was built on Raquette Lake in the late 1800s by William West Durant. Other wealthy families soon followed, hiring local craftsmen to build their own version of a wilderness estate. Rather than a single building, a Great Camp was typically a small village of structures: separate lodges for sleeping, dining and gathering, all connected by covered walkways and unified by the same natural materials. Spruce log framing, fieldstone chimneys and birch bark siding turned raw timber into something both rugged and refined, and that balance became the defining look of Adirondack style.
Great Camp Design at Whiteface Lodge
That same craftsmanship inspired much of what you will find at Whiteface Lodge. Exposed log beams stretch across our common spaces, stone fireplaces anchor the lobby and gathering rooms, and birch bark accents appear throughout our spacious suites. We wanted guests to feel the same warmth and wonder that drew families to the Adirondacks more than a century ago, just with a few more modern comforts built in.
Plan a Day Trip to Great Camp Santanoni
If you would like to see an original Great Camp up close, Camp Santanoni in nearby Newcomb makes a great day trip, about an hour from Lake Placid. Built by Robert and Anna Pruyn in the late 19th century, Santanoni is a National Historic Landmark and one of the most complete surviving Great Camps in the region. Visitors can hike or bike the roughly 10-mile round trip along an old carriage road to reach the Main Camp on Newcomb Lake, where original log buildings, a boathouse and farm complex are open to explore. If you’re lucky, staff will be on-site, offering a tour of this historic site.
Lodging for a True Adirondack Experience
Whether you’re interested in history or architecture, a day spent checking out an Adirondack Great Camp is well worth adding to your itinerary. You can relax in a resort inspired by the Great Camps when you stay at Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid. Relax by the fire, book a treatment at our award-winning spa, or enjoy a hearty meal at one of our on-site restaurants before retreating to your suite for the night. Whether you are drawn by the history, the scenery or the craftsmanship, Whiteface Lodge is the perfect home base for discovering the legacy of the Adirondack Great Camp.
To plan your stay, reserve online or call us at 518-523-0505.