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Saratoga National Historical ParkTheme(s): Revolutionary War | |
Description:
Site of the first significant American military victory during the Revolution, the
Battles of Saratoga rank among the fifteen most decisive battles in world history. Here in
1777 American forces met, defeated and forced a major British army to surrender, an event
which led France to recognize the independence of the United States and enter the war as a
decisive military ally of the struggling Americans.
First authorized as a New York state park in 1927 on the sesquicentennial of the
Battles, the Battlefield was made part of the National Park System in 1938 when Saratoga
National Historical Park was authorized by the United States Congress.
The park now comprises three separate units: the 4 square mile Battlefield in Stillwater, New York, the General Philip Schuyler House eight miles north in Schuylerville and the Saratoga Monument in the nearby village of Victory.
The park is located on the upper Hudson River in an area possessing significant natural and cultural attractions appealing to a wide range of visitors from around the world.
Designations:
NY State Historical Site (1927)
National Historical Park (1938-present)
Accessibility:
Mobility: The visitor center restrooms, theaters and bookstore are all accessible. The stops on the tour road do have paved walkways, but access is a bit limited: The Neilson House (Stop 2) is not handicapped accessible, and steep hills at Stop 10 likewise limit or prevent accessibility.
The interiors of the Schuyler House and Saratoga Monument are not handicapped accessible at this time.
A special access road up to the visitor center starts at the beginning of the parking lot where the picnic area is located. This leads up to a small parking lot next to the visitor center where a suitable paved pathway connects to the main entrance.
The hiking trails are developed, but are only packed earth/grassy paths; they are not handicapped accessible.
Auditory: The audio tracks for the visitor center museum area are available in print form. Our orientation film is not yet formatted with captions.
Getting Around:
The 9.5 mile Battlefield Tour Road starts at the end of the visitor center parking lot and is a single-lane, one-way road that loops through the American defensive positions, then the actual battle sites, and finishes at the British defensive positions overlooking the Hudson River. There are 10 interpretive stops along the road.
The road ends part-way along the park entrance road. From that point, you can go to U.S. Route 4, State Route 32, or back to the visitor center.
Saratoga Battlefield's hiking trail system features the Wilkinson National Historic Trail, developed and maintained in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. This 4.2 mile route travels through some of the most significant areas associated with the Battles of Saratoga.
Organized Scout groups who have hiked the trail are eligible for the Wilkinson Trail Patch. If they choose to include the Annex Trail (total 8 miles) and complete a prepared questionnaire, the Scouts are also eligible for the Trail Medal. Both patch and medal are provided by the Twin Rivers Boy Scout Council. For more information on this program, contact the visitor center.
Another section of the hiking trail network passes along the side of the historic Champlain Canal. Recent clearing efforts here reveal the intricate, even picturesque, stonework that has supported the canal for many years.
Activites:
Auto_Touring | Biking | Educational Programs | Hiking | Horseback Riding | Wildlife Viewing | Cross Country Skiing | Snowshoeing | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Picnic Areas | Comfort Stations | Museum Exhibits | And more.
Directions to Saratoga National Historical Park
Plane:
From Albany Airport: follow directions by car from Albany
From Saratoga Springs Airport: follow directions by car from points west.
Car:
Saratoga NHP is located 40 miles north of Albany, the state capital, and some 15 miles southeast of Saratoga Springs.
From Montreal and points north - get off the Northway (I-87) at Exit 14 and follow signs for Route 29 East to Schuylerville where the Schuyler House and Saratoga Monument are located. Eight miles south on Route 4 you will find the main entrance to the Battlefield.
From Albany and points south - get off the Northway (I-87) at Exit 12, and follow the park signs to the Battlefield.
From points east or west - use Route 29 to Schuylerville.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation serving the three park units.
Train service is provided by AMTRAK to Saratoga Springs.
Attractions:
Ft. Ticonderoga
Phone:518-585-2821
Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Mt. Independence State Historic Site
Phone:802-759-2412
Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site
Phone:518-686-7109
Nearby Parks:
Fort Stanwix National Monument (130 miles)
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (60 miles)
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site ( miles)
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