Winter Fun at Saratoga

A cross-country skier traverses groomed winter trails.

NPS/K. Vinduska

Winter is a great time to discover the beauty of the battlefield, bird watch, look for deer, or enjoy the stillness of a snow covered walk at Saratoga National Historical Park. Grounds will be open sunrise to sunset for hiking, walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. You can explore the battlefield several ways. While the Tour Road is closed to driving, several miles of roadway (between the visitor center parking area and stop 8 via the access road) are plowed for emergency access and walking and biking are allowed as weather permits. There is also a cross-country ski trail that is groomed when there is enough snowfall and staffing. This trail encompasses portions of the Wilkinson Trail, Horse Trail, and the Tour Road. The trail can be accessed from the Visitor Center (Wilkinson Trail) or the South Gate (Horse Trail) parking areas. The trail is 7 miles and are marked as the Winter Recreation Trail. There are very limited services during the winter, but partially accessible outdoor portable toilets are available near the tour road entrance and a composting toilet is available at Stop 7 and Stop 2. See map below. 

Due to an ongoing septic system replacement on the Visitor Center lawn, the Wilkinson Trail and Winter Recreation trail now start from a spur about 250 yards down the Tour Road from the Visitor Center parking lot. This new starting place is show on the map below.

Details

Activity

Cross-Country Skiing

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash. Please be a responsible pet owner and pick up after your pets! 

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Cross-country ski trails

Start at the Visitor Center (Wilkinson Trail) or the South Gate (Horse Trail) parking areas. Each loop is about 3 miles long and connect for a total of 6 miles of trails and are marked American Loop A and British Loop B.

Reservations

No

Season

Winter

Time of Day

Day

Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset.

Accessibility Information

The Wilkinson Trail is NOT accessible.

Visitor Center

From the start of December to the end of February, the Visitor Center is generally open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Check our operating hours for updates and our alerts for closures.

Parking

Two spaces available in main parking lot at bottom of ramp. Ramp has a steep incline to visitor center; additional parking is available on Roosevelt Rd.

Entrance

Automatic front doors (2 sets) open outwards, ramp and automatic rear door opens outwards

Restrooms

Partially accessible indoor restrooms are available in the visitor center - a handicap stall is available, but there is no automatic door. A partially accessible outdoor portable toilet is available in the lower level of the visitor center parking area near the tour road entrance.

Water

A water bottle fill station is located inside visitor center between restrooms. A water fountain is located outside off ramp from main parking lot. The water from the fountain contains sodium in excess of 20 mg/L.

Picnic tables

Handicap accessible picnic area is accessible from main parking lot, picnic tables are also available behind visitor center

Restrooms

Partially accessible outdoor portable toilets are available at tour road entrance and a composting toilet is available at tour road stop 7.

Walkways

All tour road stops have paved walkways that meet ADA grade and slope requirements.

Driving Tour Road (Dec.-Apr.)

The tour road is closed to vehicles. NPS staff will plow the tour road for pedestrian use from the parking lot to the "access road," which is a distance of about 1/2 mile; and from the end of the "access" to "Stop 8," which is a distance of about 2 miles. While the road is plowed, slippery or wintry conditions may still exist and visitors should exercise extreme caution.

A map highlights the Winter Recreation Trail that are groomed when there is enough snowfall. You can explore 7 miles of cross-country trails through the park.

NPS Map

Explore the battlefield on skis! Start at the Visitor Center (Wilkinson Trail) or the South Gate (Horse Trail) parking areas. The trails connect for a total of 7 miles and are marked as the Winter Recreation Trail.

This map does reflect the trail detour due to construction on the Visitor Center lawn.