New Frontier Town Campground Opens in the Adirondacks

THE OPENING OF THE FRONTIER TOWN CAMPGROUND IN THE ADIRONDACKS

Revitalization of Former Theme Park Site Will Bolster Local Economy, Serve as Gateway to Recreational Opportunities in the Adirondacks

NEW YORK – June 26, 2019 – The construction of the new Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area in the Adirondacks was completed today. The new public campground, on the site of the former Frontier Town theme park in the town of North Hudson, is a signature piece of the Governor's "Gateway to the Adirondacks" tourism hub. To date, an estimated total of $25 million in public/private resources has been committed to the project.

"Generations of New Yorkers remember the Frontier Town theme park as the place their childhood dreams became real, and now with the restoration of this campground, new generations of New Yorkers will get to experience some of that same excitement," Governor Cuomo said. "North Hudson is a prime location to introduce visitors to all the Adirondack Park has to offer and encourage travelers to further explore New York's great outdoors. With the first phase of the Gateway to the Adirondacks now complete, visitors can experience this one-of-a-kind recreational site, helping boost the local economy and the region's ever-growing tourism industry." 

"The Adirondacks is a New York gem with an abundance of natural beauty and activities," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The development of the Frontier Town Campground will build on recreational opportunities in the area and continue to increase the tourism industry. The revitalization of the former theme park will provide children and families with another site to explore and strengthen the economy for the future."

The Department of Environmental Conservation campground was designed in collaboration with the Office of General Services and C.T. Male Associates. The campground includes 91 campsites to accommodate a range of camping and visitor experiences. Reservations are now available for the summer season, from June 28 through Columbus Day weekend.

Key campground features include: 

• An equestrian camping area with 33 sites modeled after the camping areas at DEC's Otter Creek Horse Trail facility. The area includes electrical hookups and a pavilion
• A recreational vehicle (RV) and trailer camping area with space for 13 sites with electrical hookups, fireplaces, conveniently located water spigots, and a playground
• A tent camping area with 45 tent sites, including three group camping sites; three walk-in camping sites; four sites with electric vehicle charging stations; two shower buildings; a playground; and two pavilions  

• A seasonal day-use area along the shoreline of the Schroon River for campers and visitors to enjoy, as well as a pavilion, two playgrounds, two electric vehicle charging stations, and a comfort station 

• A network of pedestrian trails take visitors to four viewpoints: two along the Schroon River and two overlooking an oxbow wetland

The campground, a signature project of Governor Cuomo's Adventure NY Initiative to enhance access to state lands and connect New Yorkers to nature and the outdoors, was designed to provide accessibility to people of all ages and abilities and includes many Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant features. The facility's universal design enables everyone, including seniors and families with small children, to access its amenities consistent with the Governor's 2018 Executive Order to make New York the first age-friendly state in the country. All campsites, showers, and restrooms are accessible and campsites have accessibly designed picnic tables and fireplaces. In addition, the campground features two ADA-compliant horse mounting ramps.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Today's grand opening is a key milestone in our efforts to establish an essential tourism hub to Adirondacks that will bolster economic development by providing easy access to the park's recreational opportunities at one central site. The Gateway to the Adirondacks project is the cornerstone of the Governor's Adventure NY initiative to connect more New Yorkers to nature, and the family-friendly campground opened today provides a launching pad for residents and visitors alike to explore the world class experiences the Adirondack Park has to offer. I commend our state and local partners for bringing this project across the finish line and encourage all New Yorkers to come and enjoy this marvelous new facility."  

Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, "Knowing the amazing Adirondack Park experiences that are in store for New Yorkers who visit the new Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area makes today's grand opening truly special. Under Governor Cuomo's Gateway to the Adirondacks project and Adventure NY initiative, we are seeing the great achievements that can be realized when State and local governments and representatives from the private and non-profit sectors all work together toward common goals." 

Governor Cuomo announced the creation of a master plan to establish a tourism hub at Exit 29 of the Northway in the town of North Hudson in 2017. The Upper Hudson Recreation Hub Master Plan included plans for the Frontier Town Campground as part of the State's effort to establish a Gateway to the Adirondacks that links local and regional outdoor recreation experiences in the Adirondack Park, bolsters tourism, and strengthens the North Country's regional economy. New York State and the Open Space Institute, working in collaboration with five neighboring Adirondack towns, created a blueprint for a new recreation hub to improve local amenities, expand access, and draw increased visitors to the park.

A key component of the master plan is a $19 million State investment through NY Works to develop the new Frontier Town campground on approximately 91 acres of land owned by the town of North Hudson and Essex County. DEC will operate the campground per the terms of a conservation easement that allows for amenities not found at other DEC campgrounds. 

The design of the campground limits disturbance to the natural environment to the greatest extent possible, and the preservation of vegetation, wetlands, and topography were all considered in its design. Roadways, trails, and utility corridors follow natural grades to limit land grading and tree clearing.

A newly completed, four-mile multi-use trail connecting the campground to neighboring land across NYS Route 9 and leading to the Schroon River in the Hammond Pond Wild Forest is now open for use.  A larger network of multi-use and equestrian trails connecting the campground to the neighboring area is planned, including the Schroon Lake-North Hudson Snowmobile trail network known as the "Ti to Co Line Trail" and the Palmer Pond Bridge connection on the west, leading to publicly owned lands including the Boreas Ponds Tract and Essex Chain Lakes Complex.

Campers Can Book Reservations at State's Newest Campground.