Hot Spots > Saratoga Spa State Park

Park History

Belief that the waters of Saratoga held healing properties led to the construction of spas and health centers that would cater to the tourism and health industries. Local companies began to bottle and sell the water as well, giving Saratoga the nickname “The Queen of Spas”. At the height of this bottling frenzy in the early 1900s, there were more than two hundred private wells tapping into Saratoga's mineral springs!

Amid fears of losing this precious natural resource, Saratoga Spa State Park was begun as a conservation effort to preserve the mineral springs. New York State declared eight hundred acres as a state reservation and took ownership of the wells.

Summer Recreation

• Picnic sites are open to the public with picnic tables, grills and rest rooms. (For larger groups, there are picnic areas that provide shelter and require advance reservations).
  
  
• Swimming is available for the entire family at the Peerless Pool complex, which includes a large main pool, separate wading and water slide pools. You can also take a dip in Victoria Pool - the first heated pool in the US!
  
  
• Tennis courts are available free for park visitors, and include both hardtop courts and clay courts.
  
  
• Nature trails allow visitors to enjoy all four seasons on several miles of trails throughout the park, and offer a great opportunity for walking, hiking, cross country ski and snowshoeing.