Saratoga National Historical Park

A Gem for Exercise and Education

By Tom O’Grady

Amid peak foliage in mid-October 1777 the American Colonists did something that had never been done before. They defeated the British army at the Battle of Saratoga. This surrender was a culmination of a monthlong conflict and it signaled a turning point in the war. The reinvigorated patriots used the morale boost to help them in their belief that independence could be won. November, therefore must have been a month of higher spirits and planning for what was to come. This makes November a perfect month to visit Saratoga National Historical Park. The opportunities for exercise and education will help invigorate your fitness goals for the coming winter.

Park Tour Road – The tour road takes a winding ten-mile circuit through the battlefield and brings visitors to areas of historical significance. Because of its distance many people opt to travel the route by car and listen to the historical audio on their radio or cell phone. This is also a great road to train on whether you are a runner, cyclist or multisport athlete. Because of the distance and elevation change along the route this makes for a more challenging, but rewarding, run. Individuals biking will find a single loop goes by quickly and offers great exercise. Those training for longer events will benefit from circuits around the tour road and pit stops that come with traveling in a loop.

Once you set out, the road heads southeast along a ridge to an overlook. It’s easy to see from this point how important positioning was in the battle. The American forces were lucky to have had the high ground. From here the road travels further past a farm and a monument to the unknown American dead. Once past the farm, the road then travels to its furthest point south at about two miles. This area is where Americans camped and fortified the Hudson River. There is a great view of the river from the overlook. 

The next two miles bring visitors back north through farm and wheat fields. While traveling on this section you can look down the ravine to where the British camp was located. Before reaching the visitor center the road heads east again towards the Hudson River down through the ravines. The road brings you through the British Camp and to the Great Redoubt, which marks where British troops buried the wounded General Simon Fraser, before retreating north towards the village of Saratoga. The road then connects to the park entrance road and brings you uphill back to the visitor center. 

Wilkinson National Recreation Trail – If a shorter day hike and trails are more your thing, then the Wilkinson Recreation Trail is a good place to take a walk, trail run, snowshoe or cross-country ski while visiting the park. The trail itself is a moderate 4.2-mile loop that is shaped like a lollipop. Instead of asphalt the entire surface is dirt or mowed grass paths. The initial part of the trailheads from the visitor center towards the Hudson River. Just before the point at which the trail meets the paved tour road the trail splits into a loop that takes you along the primary hiking trail. 

The trail itself is named after the British Officer, Lieutenant William Wilkinson, who mapped the route during the actual Battles of Saratoga. The trail offers visitors a look into what the opposition army was viewing as Wilkinson plotted their course out from the Great Ravine where they were camped, then through the thick and congested woods, where they took up defensive positions. If you choose to visit in November the fields will likely be a golden brown and you may still be able to view some of the best fall foliage in the area. At about the halfway point you will reach the deepest part of the ravine where the trail visits. From here you will need to cross a stream, then make a short and moderately steep climb of about 100 feet as you head back towards the visitor center.

Junior Ranger Program – There are a variety of educational opportunities at Saratoga National Historical Park. Two programs with more structure are the Nature & Science Program that includes an inventory and monitoring program, and the For Teachers program that includes lessons plans and materials. For those with children or who are young at heart that want to cap a day of exercise off with some fun learning activities the Junior Ranger Program is a great activity.

In the visitor center, ask a Park Ranger for one of the Junior Ranger Program booklets. If you hiked the Wilkinson Trail you may want to also drive the tour road as the Ranger Program booklet was designed to complement the tour road. There are several activities in the booklet and the directions indicate how many activities children should complete based on their age. 

The first activity is a scavenger hunt that requires children and their parents find objects such as a cannon or officer’s sword and then draw what the object looks like. The second activity requires children to find hidden food and supplies on a page. The idea is to paint a picture of the requisitioning and theft that occurred as American and British soldiers moved from place to place and required supplies. The third activity describes the strategic use of obstacles and fortifications by both armies to protect their camps. The remaining activities walk through scouting activities, the use of signs in national parks, and the code abbreviations used for national parks and historic sites. Probably the most exciting part about completing the booklet is the opportunity for a child to receive a Junior Ranger Badge and take the oath to protect the national parks. 

If you are putting the finishing touches on your training for a road race or cycling event or if you simply want to take a hike, enjoy the foliage, and allow your kids a fun opportunity to learn some history – Saratoga National Historical Park is a great place to visit in November! 

Tom O’Grady, PhD, MPH (thomas.james.ogrady@gmail.com) of Slingerlands is an avid runner, hiker and lover of the outdoors.