This unique state park is in Upstate New York where you can experience the natural mineral water throughout the park and town.

Getting there

The State park is located just south of the city Saratoga Springs off NY 50. There are two main entrances to the park off NY 50, depending on where you want to go in the park.

Fees

This is a NY state park and they do charge $10 per vehicle from May until Mid October. There are additional fees for the Spa, golf course, Automobile Museum and snow shoe rental.

What is there to do:

The Spa

Saratoga Spa was known as a place for healing for the wealthy and they still continue the tradition by offering mineral baths at Roosevelt Spa. If you are wanting some relaxing time and want a facial or to soak in their renowned mineral water, this should be a spot for you. You will probably need to reserve your spot ahead of time.

Automobile Museum

If you are a car enthusiast, this small museum would be a great choice to see. While our family did not have time to check it out, I have heard from others that enjoyed looking around at the cars they have on display. Prices are from $15 to $20. Free for 10 and under.

Saratoga Spa Golf

For those looking for some swing time, this would be a wonderful course to try. This course has 27 holes, and has a championship course to try out. This is one of the premiere courses in the area.

Hike or Walk

There are many trails throughout the park that meander in the hills and go by the mineral springs. Go on the Geyser trail which is 2.9 miles to see most of the mineral springs in the park. You can easily hop on other trails while on your walk. There are bathrooms throughout the park, so if you are sampling the water, you should be able to find a nearby bathroom.

Most of the trails are well shaded and offer pretty scenery. You can easily park by Roosevelt Spa or drive and park by the Creekside classroom where there are picnic tables by the shady stream. There are also a cluster of mineral springs by this parking lot that you can try. So if you don’t have time or the legs to walk a lot this would be a good spot to try.

One of the highlights on our walk was the Island Spouter. See below.

Taste the mineral water

Bring a sampling cup to try the different springs throughout the park. Be aware that some have more minerals than others. If you have tasted well water with lots of iron, that will be similar to the taste of some of the springs. You will also smell sulfur, but still try it since a lot of the springs are naturally bubbly from the gases.

Any springs with the state seal will taste more like the water you would buy from the store. You will also notice people filling up jugs from these springs. Others will have a more salty taste. Our kids had fun trying out the different springs and easily picked their favorite ones. Once they found one they liked, they were able to fill up their water bottle and enjoy for the rest of the walk.

After visiting the park continue on to the city of Saratoga Springs. There are more springs to sample and a beautiful downtown to walk along the shops and many restaurants.