Discover the North Country
Some colleges have Adirondack chairs. We have the Adirondacks. St. Lawrence students are serious about their academic adventures, but when they need a break, the North Country’s outdoor playground awaits.
Welcome to our world.
Between the St. Lawrence River to the west and Lake Champlain to the east, you’ll find New York State’s North Country. As the U.S. liberal arts university closest to an international capital, we’re the gateway to the United States for our northern neighbors, and home to the largest protected natural area in the lower 48 states: The Adirondacks.
Throughout this rural frontier you’ll find lakes, mountains, valleys, and more than 100 welcoming communities, including Canton, the seat of St. Lawrence County and our home.
Your College Town
You’ll become a part of the North Country community as you engage in local traditions, work alongside experts in Community-based Learning courses, intern and volunteer with local organizations, and explore the unique spaces that make Canton home.
Just footsteps from campus, you’ll find beloved pizza parlors, farm-to-table restaurants, grocery stores, and local accommodations. You’ll have opportunities to view artwork by local artists, stay active on nearby walking trails, practice wellness at the yoga studio, catch a movie at the theater, or pick out a new game at the video game store.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or prefer the comfort of indoor spaces, there’s something for everyone all year round.
Fall
Fall in the North Country is known for its beauty thanks to the brilliant autumn colors. The scenery is perfect, especially with stunning lakes and high peaks as backdrops. Go for a drive or take a brisk hike to take in the fall foliage.
Winter
Lace up your snowshoes for a winter hike, hit the cross country trail, or grab your goggles for some downhill skiing. (Up for a challenge? Whiteface Mountain is home to the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies!)
Spring
Spring is sometimes referred to as mud season around here. Since the trails are a bit messy, it’s a great time of year to explore museums, follow the craft beverage trail, or take a scenic drive. Whitewater rafting and backpacking are popular in the late spring.
Summer
There’s nothing quite like a North Country summer. Hit the links on St. Lawrence’s golf course, fish the St. Lawrence river, grab ice cream from a nearby shop, swim at Lampson Falls, rent a green bike, or have a cookout with friends.
Visit the North Country
Our unique locations provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore local towns, villages, hamlets, main streets, and country roads as you uncover hidden gems, support small businesses, and savor the natural beauty of St. Lawrence County.
Plan Your Stay
Check out our local and regional accommodations and dining, including charming bed-and-breakfast options, hotels close to campus, beloved pizza parlors, and elegant farm-to-table restaurants.
Visit the Adirondacks
This visitors guide offers details on lodging, activities, restaurants, excursions, and a ton of blog posts about possible experiences.
Adirondack Park Agency
The official website for the six-million-acre natural wonderland offers historical and geological information, plus links to resources and lodging.
30 Minutes from an International Adventures
St. Lawrence is just 20 minutes from the Canadian border. While you’re here, visit this Canadian city for urban exploring and outdoor recreation in the nearby countryside.
Here are a few highlights:
- Parliament Hill
- Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site - includes the largest ice-skating rink in North America
- Tons of guided tours - by bus, train, boat, helicopter, and more
- National museums covering art, nature, history, and technology
- Celebrations and music festivals
Take a Road Trip
At St. Lawrence, every student can bring a vehicle to campus or take advantage of a number of our local transportation opportunities. Check out some of these North Country locations that make a great day trip.
New York
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Potsdam, N.Y.
- Massena, N.Y.
- Malone, N.Y.
- Clayton, N.Y.
- Watertown, N.Y.
- Syracuse, N.Y.
- Lake Placid, N.Y.
- Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Vermont
- Lake Champlain, Vt.
- Burlington, Vt.
Local Learning
Start your career journey right here in the North Country as you put your education into action and work alongside experts in the local community.
SLU Public Interest Corps (SLU PIC)
We’ll link you with North Country organizations during this 10-week paid summer internship that also provides on-campus housing for participants.
Adirondack Semester
Live and learn in our off-the-grid yurt village in the heart of the Adirondacks.
Internships
As the seat of St. Lawrence County, you’ll experience the inner-workings of local politics. The best part? The local internship opportunities don’t end there.
Sustainability Program
Think globally and act locally in our low-impact, renovated farmhouse, located five miles off-campus.
Community-Based Learning
From first-year seminars to courses across all disciplines, you’ll experience in-class topics in real life under the guidance of North Country businesses and organizations.
Center for the Environment
Our brand-new Center for the Environment is a hub of environmental leadership, scholarship, and action.
The people here are really close, and many things are interconnected. I’ve gotten a deeper sense of community. Residents of the North Country genuinely care about its culture and want to see it preserved for future generations."
Shedrack Bogonko
Government and Business in the Liberal Arts Combined Major
Class of 2022
Your North Country Bucket List
With thousands of possibilities within reach (some more than 4,000 feet!), we put together a list of some of our favorite North Country activities. The best part about this bucket list? You'll have four years to check everything off—though you might find yourself discovering more things to add as you go along.
Explore a Local Museum
Picnic at Lampson Falls
Take Part in a Local Tradition or Event
Attend a Viking Funeral
Pick apples at a nearby orchard
Make North Country Connections
Work alongside local organizers, advocates, artists, and educators as you gain hands-on experience during a local internship, volunteer opportunity, or community-based learning class.
Hike one of the Adirondack Peaks
Ski down Whiteface or Titus Mountain
Attend a Gallery Exhibit
Kayak along the Grasse River
Taste your new favorite ice cream flavor at Stewart's Shops (led by a Laurentian!)
Take a North Country Road Trip
In a few short hours, you and your closest friends can take a day trip and explore all that the North Country and surrounding areas have to offer.
Watch a Theatrical Performance
Art, Culture, and History
If you’re a history buff, music aficionado, and appreciate the arts, there are plenty of opportunities for you to attend a craft show, visit an art gallery, listen to live music, and tour historical monuments and spaces throughout the North Country.
Food and Dining
From farm-to-table restaurants to the famous Sergi’s pizza roll, late-night meals, and rise-and-shine breakfasts, the North Country offers plenty of dining options to satisfy all of your cravings and dietary needs.
Our Neighbor to the North
With Canada located just a hop, skip, and a bridge away from campus, you can wake up in Canton and be touring Canada’s capital and enjoying its cuisine in just 90 minutes. Explore national museums, attend celebrations and music festivals, or go on guided tours by bus, train, boat, helicopter, and more.