Saratoga National Historical Park

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.

648 Rt. 32
Stillwater, NY 12170
518-664-9821 ext.224 - Visitor Information
518-664-9821 ext.500 - Headquarters

By Plane
From Albany Airport: follow directions by car from Albany

From Saratoga Springs Airport: follow directions by car from points west.

By 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.

By Plane
There is no public transportation serving the three park units.

Train service is provided by AMTRAK to Saratoga Springs.

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.

The climate at Saratoga is typical of the Northeast United States and can change quickly. During the summer months dress for warm-to-hot days and comfortable-to-cool evenings. Sudden storms with high winds are not uncommon and having rain gear at hand is advisable. Comfortable shoes, boots and insect repellent are advisable if walking about the Battlefield's
paths and trails.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Auto Touring
• Biking
• Educational Programs
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Wildlife Viewing
• Cross Country Skiing
• Snowshoeing

Recommended Activities
The staff and park volunteers provide a number of educational programs to local schools, either at the park site or in the classroom. Contact the park to obtain information on arranging these programs.

The Friends of Saratoga Battlefield sponsor many programs and activities during the year that also assist the park in carrying out its educational mission.

There are many special events and programs that visitors will enjoy. During the winter and spring the park hosts a Frost Faire, a March for Parks fundraiser and a Crown Forces encampment. During the summer the Battlefield offers the annual 4th of July Celebration, colonial demonstrations, military encampments, and interpretive programs on topics ranging from colonial history to the environment. In September the park hosts an annual event to commemorate the two battles which includes programs centered around the American, British, German, and Canadian forces encamped as they were in the fall of 1777.