Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park commemorates the famous Battles of Saratoga, called the “most important battle of the last 1000 years” (New York Times Magazine). On September 19th and October 7th, 1777, an American army under General Horatio Gates defeated the southward invading British army under General John Burgoyne. This crucial American victory secured for America a much-needed alliance with France and gained critical international support for establishing American freedom.

Saratoga NHP preserves and interprets four separate sites associated with this military campaign: the Battlefield (Stillwater, NY), Schuyler House (Schuylerville, NY), Saratoga Monument (Victory, NY), and Victory Woods (Victory, NY).Season and Hours Open
Visitor Center: 9 AM to 5 PM daily, closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day.
Don’t Miss This When Visiting
Battlefield Visitor Center
A 20-minute orientation film, fiber-optic light map, Eastern National bookstore, annual and special exhibits. Entrance fees are paid at the Visitor Center, and visitors can pick up park maps and brochures at the Center before beginning their tour.

Saratoga Battlefield
A nearly 10-mile paved tour road meanders through the scenic landscape on a self-guiding tour. Features 10 wayside exhibit stops along the tour, with interpretive signs, wayside exhibits, and fantastic views.

The tour road is also a great place for bicycling and walking. There are also several miles of dirt hiking trails that traverse the northern part of the Battlefield.

Related Sites Or Experiences
Saratoga Battlefield: where the Battles of Saratoga were fought, September 19 and October 7, 1777. The park’s Visitor Center is located at the Battlefield.

Schuyler House: the 1777 country house of American General Philip Schuyler. Burned by the retreating British, it was rebuilt by General Schuyler after their surrender. House access is by guided tour only. Open for tours during the summer season.

Saratoga Monument: a 19th-century monument built to commemorate the American victory in the Battles of Saratoga. Open during the summer season.

Victory Woods: a 1/2 mile walkway through the area where the British army encamped for the week before their surrender. Open to pedestrian use every day, during daylight hours.

Identify And Describe The Management Organization
Saratoga National Historical Park is part of the National Park Service.

Suggested Further Reading
“Saratoga: Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War” by Richard Ketchum

Additional Notes And Comments
Entrance fees: charged at the Battlefield from May 1 to October 31. Cars are $5 each, hikers/bicyclists are $3 each, annual passes are $10 each. Valid “Golden Age,” “Golden Access,” and America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

The Saratoga Battlefield is open to pedestrian use every day, during daylight hours.

Fees
yes
ADA Accessible
yes
Tours Are Offered
yes
Site is Child-friendly
yes
Site is Pet-friendly
yes
Comments
Wear hiking boots and walk the 4 mile loop of the Wilkinson trail through deep woods, open meadows, through ancient orchards, up and down hills passing historical markers, catching sight of wild life and the rich, rolling farmland. Some vistas, but mostly a range of lower trail levels, some are challenging and some are wet. But not to be missed.

Barbara Price, 4/20/2015