Outdoor Recreation
Our campus is a trailhead—your starting point for unlimited outdoor adventures in every season.
Explore St. Lawrence County
The county we call home is the largest in New York state and, if you ask us, the most beautiful. From placid ponds and bubbling streams to scenic trails and rushing waterfalls, St. Lawrence County offers outdoor excursions for all abilities and experience levels—whether you’re looking to check another summit off your list, try snowshoeing for the first time, or simply find a shady spot to hang a hammock.
Clubs and organizations like the Outing Club and the Outdoor Program frequently lead off-campus excursions of all kinds, but you don't have to travel far to make the most of our location. Rent a kayak from our canoe shack and explore by paddle, pack a picnic for a relaxing afternoon in a nearby park, or wait until the first snowfall to navigate the Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course on a pair of cross-country skis.
In Our Backyard
You don't have to go far to find adventure. Discover all of this and more right in St. Lawrence County.
state forests with hundreds of miles of trails for walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing
Rivers, ponds, and lakes for kayaking and canoeing, swimming, and fishing
major waterfalls along the Grasse and Raquette Rivers
acres of the six-million acre Adirondack Park
Nearly nine miles of trails found on campus:
- Kip Trail
- Saddlemire Trail
- Avenue of the Elms
- Cross Country Woods Trail
- Sandbanks Trails
- Susan Ferguson Trail
Whether you prefer to travel by foot, by paddle, or on two wheels, there’s no wrong way to experience the outdoors. Will Millerchip ’21 captured our students doing some of the things they love in every season.
Our Students Recommend...
Summiting Mt. Arab at peak fall foliage.
“Mt. Arab is a great beginner-level rail for foliage peeping with friends in the fall! It even has a fire tower that you can climb up to get a better view of the surrounding area.”
-Meg Taylor ’21
Walking, running, or cross-country skiing in a state park.
“Higley Flow State Park is a great place to visit! With over 1100 acres of land, a beach to swim, and some beautiful trails, Higley Flow is a great day excursion located in nearby Colton.”
-Keenan Wilson ’23
Checking out the campus Canoe Shack.
"Head down to the Little River and take out a canoe with friends for a nice leisurely paddle down the stream. Maybe even get a little fishing in!"
-Meg Taylor '21
Cooling off at Lampson Falls
“It takes about 20 minutes to get to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area, Lampson Falls. The falls are about 40 feet tall and 100 feet wide with a picnic and swimming area located at the bottom.”
-Jenna Mack ’23
Casting a line in the Grasse River.
“Grab your rod and catch anything from stocked brown trout and native brook trout to walleye and smallmouth bass. The south branch begins in Colton, making it a quick trip for anyone that loves to fish!”
-Keenan Wilson ’23
Hiking the trails along Stone Valley.
“Avid and beginner hikers alike will enjoy this gorgeous network of easy and moderate trails ranging from one to eight miles. The falls along the Raquette River are amazing!”
-Jenna Mack ’23
Outing Club
Our Outing Club is one of the oldest in the country. Members lead outdoor adventures like hiking, sledding, rock climbing and canoeing throughout the region for students of all skill levels nearly every weekend.
Outdoor Program
Acquire outdoor and wilderness leadership skills while fostering a better sense of environmental stewardship and helping fellow students of all skill levels experience the great outdoors.
Great 8 Trails Challenge
Discover St. Lawrence County’s most beautiful places! The Great 8 Challenges have been designed to introduce you to new trails and experiences across our county. All of the challenge trails can be explored if you're new to the outdoors, a seasoned hiker or somewhere in between!
Outdoor Studies
Turn your love for the natural world into a minor that will help you better understand the interconnectedness of the outdoors and prepare you for career opportunities in outdoor education and leadership.