Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs
The city of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County have more than 70 mountains in the area. As such, outdoor activites are some of the most popular things to do in Saratoga. In Saratoga Springs proper, visitors will find Saratoga Spa State Park, which offers more than 2,000 acres to explore. The Saratoga Spa State Park is much more than an outdoor space. It is a National Historic Landmark known for its classical architecture, historic outdoor pools, a golf course, running courses, and tracks for cross-country skiing.
Outside of the racetrack, the city is best known for the natural springs that dot its landscape. Making a tour of them one of the best things to do in Saratoga Springs. Originally used by Native Americans as far back as the 1600s, the springs are known for their restorative properties both in drinking and in bathing. Saratoga Spa State Park is the best place to explore the area’s offerings today. A tour of the springs will take you to about half of the dozen mostly carbonated springs that still flow in the park. Each has a unique mineral content, and, thus, its own flavor, so no two taste the same. Thank goodness for that, because some were definitely not delicious, while others could easily substitute for standard bottled water, only fresher.
Geysers and fountains spout natural mineral waters all around Saratoga but none is more striking than Geyser Island Spouter. This natural spring sits in a creek on a bed of built up minerals. The bed is misshaped and oddly colored enough to give the whole thing a bizarre alien appearance. Nearby, Orenda Spring has a similar unusual appearance. Visitors can reach both mineral springs—plus others—by following the Geyser Trail, one of several easy hiking trails at Saratoga Spa State Park. At 2.9 miles, Geyser Trail is the longest trail in the park. Geyser Island Spouter is one of the most unique Saratoga Springs attractions, and I highly recommend it.
Saratoga Spa State Park is a 2,379-acre (9.63 km2) state park located in Saratoga County, New York in the United States. The park is in the City of Saratoga Springs, near US 9 and NY 50. The grounds contain mineral springs, classical bath and spa houses, and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The area, part of which became the park, drew interest from Mohawk and Iroquois Native American tribes for its hunting and mineral springs. The Native American name for the area was Kayaderosseras. The first recorded use of the springs was by Sir William Johnson during the French and Indian War, who was brought to Saratoga to recover from wounds. Though the creek in the park is called Geyser Creek, Saratoga Springs area does not feature actual geysers. In Geysers, water is forced from underground by heat related to seismic activity. Instead, Saratoga's "spouters" spring up due to the pressure of pockets of carbonic gas trapped beneath deep layers of shale. The famous mineral springs arise from fissures in the Saratoga Fault, which runs 65 miles (105 km) from Whitehall to Albany. The carbonated water that vents in springs and geysers is rich in minerals and salts. Two of the most visited springs today are Geyser Island Spouter and Orenda Spring, along Geyser Creek. Geyser Island Spouter, which sends a narrow plume of water 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 m) into the air, first emerged in the early 1900s. Since that time, it has deposited minerals that grow a tufa deposit at the rate of two inches (5 cm) per year. Orenda Spring has created a massive tufa dome, which continues to fossilize leaves and other debris as it grows. The park hosts theater and other events. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, located on the state park grounds, has been the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet since 1966. The SPAC Amphitheater is 110 feet (34 m) high, sits in a natural, curved bowl bordered by large pine trees. The amphitheater has seating for 5,100 and the lawn can hold an additional 25,000 people. The park contains the Spa Little Theater, which hosts plays throughout the year. The Spa Little Theater is located on the north side of the park office. The park is also home to the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, the Lincoln Mineral Baths and Spa, and the Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa. ***PH***
Outside of the racetrack, the city is best known for the natural springs that dot its landscape. Making a tour of them one of the best things to do in Saratoga Springs. Originally used by Native Americans as far back as the 1600s, the springs are known for their restorative properties both in drinking and in bathing. Saratoga Spa State Park is the best place to explore the area’s offerings today. A tour of the springs will take you to about half of the dozen mostly carbonated springs that still flow in the park. Each has a unique mineral content, and, thus, its own flavor, so no two taste the same. Thank goodness for that, because some were definitely not delicious, while others could easily substitute for standard bottled water, only fresher.
Geysers and fountains spout natural mineral waters all around Saratoga but none is more striking than Geyser Island Spouter. This natural spring sits in a creek on a bed of built up minerals. The bed is misshaped and oddly colored enough to give the whole thing a bizarre alien appearance. Nearby, Orenda Spring has a similar unusual appearance. Visitors can reach both mineral springs—plus others—by following the Geyser Trail, one of several easy hiking trails at Saratoga Spa State Park. At 2.9 miles, Geyser Trail is the longest trail in the park. Geyser Island Spouter is one of the most unique Saratoga Springs attractions, and I highly recommend it.
Saratoga Spa State Park is a 2,379-acre (9.63 km2) state park located in Saratoga County, New York in the United States. The park is in the City of Saratoga Springs, near US 9 and NY 50. The grounds contain mineral springs, classical bath and spa houses, and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The area, part of which became the park, drew interest from Mohawk and Iroquois Native American tribes for its hunting and mineral springs. The Native American name for the area was Kayaderosseras. The first recorded use of the springs was by Sir William Johnson during the French and Indian War, who was brought to Saratoga to recover from wounds. Though the creek in the park is called Geyser Creek, Saratoga Springs area does not feature actual geysers. In Geysers, water is forced from underground by heat related to seismic activity. Instead, Saratoga's "spouters" spring up due to the pressure of pockets of carbonic gas trapped beneath deep layers of shale. The famous mineral springs arise from fissures in the Saratoga Fault, which runs 65 miles (105 km) from Whitehall to Albany. The carbonated water that vents in springs and geysers is rich in minerals and salts. Two of the most visited springs today are Geyser Island Spouter and Orenda Spring, along Geyser Creek. Geyser Island Spouter, which sends a narrow plume of water 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 m) into the air, first emerged in the early 1900s. Since that time, it has deposited minerals that grow a tufa deposit at the rate of two inches (5 cm) per year. Orenda Spring has created a massive tufa dome, which continues to fossilize leaves and other debris as it grows. The park hosts theater and other events. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, located on the state park grounds, has been the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet since 1966. The SPAC Amphitheater is 110 feet (34 m) high, sits in a natural, curved bowl bordered by large pine trees. The amphitheater has seating for 5,100 and the lawn can hold an additional 25,000 people. The park contains the Spa Little Theater, which hosts plays throughout the year. The Spa Little Theater is located on the north side of the park office. The park is also home to the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, the Lincoln Mineral Baths and Spa, and the Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa. ***PH***
Saratoga Spa State Park on Map
Sight Name: Saratoga Spa State Park
Sight Location: Saratoga Springs, USA (See walking tours in Saratoga Springs)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Sight Location: Saratoga Springs, USA (See walking tours in Saratoga Springs)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor