The New York State wilderness that is perfect for family adventures The Adirondacks, once a refuge for New York’s elite, will appeal to junior thrill-seekers, says Sally Warren 15 January 2021 • 11:53am Great Camp Sagamore, a remote estate built in 1897 and bought as a summer retreat for the Vanderbilt family Credit: Jessica Reihl After a while, we stopped telling people we were spending summer in the Adirondacks. More often than not, it drew blank faces, even from our American friends. This vast wilderness a few hours’ drive north of New York City remains largely unknown outside the United States, and even within it, which is truly confounding given all it has to offer.