Our Space

The best-kept secret in Upstate New York

Unirondack is located on a 9-acre plot of land on a small peninsula on Beaver Lake in the Western Adirondack Park in Upstate New York. We are about 30 miles east of Lowville, NY on land previously occupied by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, specifically the Mohawk and Oneida Nations. We are roughly 90 minutes north of Utica and 2.5 hours from Syracuse.

We are in an old growth forest with TOWERING white pines that make up the foundation of a thriving ecosystem of native Adirondack plants, insects, birds, and small mammals like chipmunks, red squirrels, beavers, and occasionally dear. Our lake is home to a family of loons, and we frequently get to see the bald eagles that nest nearby. Unirondack is lucky to be directly beside an incredible network of beaver dams, a magical hidden marshland boasting unique biodiversity, and a stunning view of the Adirondack foothills. We are short distance from some really remarkable hiking destinations, including waterfalls and historic Adirondack fire towers with hundred mile views.

Our oldest structures were built in the 1920s, and apart from upgrades made for safety and comfort, these historic buildings maintain their unique rustic feel. Many newer buildings have been built over the years than match the original woodsy architecture style of the camp.

A white pickup truck parked on a dirt forest trail surrounded by tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Person kayaking on a calm river surrounded by green trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A lakeside camping area with a circular fire pit surrounded by wooden benches under a cloudy sky.
A single mushroom growing on forest floor with pine needles and leaves, tall trees in the background, and bokeh lights
Kayaks stacked on a rack near a lakeside at a summer camp, with a green paddleboard and a person with braided hair and colorful pants in the foreground.

Facilities

The camp os comprised of nine camper cabins in five buildings with 5 additional buildings for rental use, including a large winterized dormitory-style building. All sleeping spaces are equipped with electricity, running water and bathrooms. Many sleeping spaces include showers, and there is a large central shower house with private stalls and changing areas available to all.

We have a large, open-air performing arts pavilion by the lake, a sandy beach and swim dock, a boathouse with canoes, kayaks, sailboats and paddle boards, a large athletic field, a fully equipped sports equipment shed, a gaga pit, a swingset, a small basketball court, a lakeside campfire circle with seating for 100 people, and many other outdoor seating spaces for gathering.

Our iconic art shop sits atop the boathouse, partly suspended over the lake and offering one of the best views on camp. It houses a fully equipped ceramics studio, a MASSIVE collection of vintage National Geographic magazines for collaging, and a gazillion arts and crafts supplies to satisfy all your artsy appetites. The interior is an explosion of creativity, with very inch of the walls, ceiling and floor covered by the colourful quotes and artistic contributions of campers past and present.

We have a large Adirondack-style lodge with fireplace, library, rec room with foosball and ping-pong, board game room and library, Our dining hall houses a full industrial kitchen, as well as indoor and outdoor seating for meals or activities.

Our maximum sleeping capacity is around 150 although our dining hall only seats about 120 at a time.

Interior view of a with wooden walls and a high ceiling, featuring a large window at the top letting in natural light, a chandelier, colorful handwritten signs and artwork on the walls, a prominent sign with a cartoo saying 'Greetings from the Hydrofax!', and shelves filled with books and supplies.
A lakeside scene at sunset with calm water reflecting a partly cloudy sky. There is a dog on the sandy shore near a lifeguard chair and some floating docks in the distance. A line extends from the lifeguard chair into the lake.
View of a peaceful lake with water lilies, seen through a window with open shutters. Several mugs are on the windowsill.
Wooden bookshelf filled with books, a flag hanging on the wall to the left, and a window with sunlight shining through.

Weather & Climate

During the summer the average temperature is about 68 degrees in summer with 3.5 inches of rain per month in July and August. We are a remote camp, located 30 miles from the nearest small town of Lowville. This provides us with a breathtaking night sky, as well as a feeling of true oneness with nature that we believe is essential to our camp experience. In the spring and fall the average temperature regularly dips into the 40s in the evenings.

Wooden stairs leading up through a forest to a warmly lit house at dusk, with a lamp illuminating part of the path.
Potted plants on a windowsill with a forest view outside. The plants include a variegated leaf plant, a pink flowering plant in a white pot, a pink flowering plant in a small red mug, and green onion in a white pot. Sunlight casts shadows on the surface.
Interior of a rustic cabin with large windows, wooden beams, and stone walls. There are two hanging lamps with yellow shades, a bookshelf filled with books, and a wooden railing.
Nighttime scene of a wooden cabin in a forest with a bright light source shining directly behind it, illuminating trees and creating lens flare effects.
A wooded area with trees and a wooden building, with signs attached to a utility pole pointing towards first aid, and cabins.
Two hammocks hung between trees with string lights overhead, in front of a cabin with towels hanging to dry.
A screened porch with wooden chairs and a door patterned like a sunburst. String lights hang from the ceiling, and trees are visible through the screens at sunset.
Pink flowers blooming in a lush, green forest with tall trees and dense foliage.

Accessibility

Unirondack’s grounds can be challenging to navigate independently for those with mobility limitations. While our camp is relatively compact and does not require foot travel across long distances, it is built into a hillside with uneven terrain and two distinct levels connected by a steep road and staircases. Most buildings are on raised foundations and separated from the ground by a couple of steps.

All of our public buildings are accessible by ramp, and we offer a round-the-clock golf cart shuttle service to transport campers across camp and up and down the hill. Even so, Unirondack’s grounds are not ADA-compliant at this time and those using wheelchairs or other mobility aids may need some assistance in getting around.

Those with sensory sensitivities should note that summer camps like Unirondack are sometimes loud. While we always strive to provide quiet spaces and options for campers who need sensory breaks, there is a certain amount of noise that is inherent to group gatherings of this size, and many of our activities necessitate noise. We focus on lowering barriers to camper-self-advocacy and making it easy for campers to ask for what they need. Campers who can self-monitor and determine when it is best to remove themselves from overwhelming situations are generally very successful at Unirondack.

We are constantly taking slow and steady steps toward improving physical accessibility at camp. If you have requests, suggestions, or ideas for us, we invite you to reach out to us.