Photo: Adam Lenhardt / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Saratoga Springs owes its name, its history as a resort and its racetrack crowds to the mineral water that rises from the ground. Some of the best places to see, and taste, those springs are inside Saratoga Spa State Park, a National Historic Landmark on the south side of the city.
Why the water bubbles
The springs rise from fissures along the Saratoga fault, which runs roughly from Whitehall to Albany. The water is not heated: Saratoga’s “spouters” are driven by carbon dioxide gas trapped under layers of shale, which pushes water to the surface. That distinguishes them from true geysers, even though the park’s stream is named Geyser Creek.
The short walk
For a first visit, start at the small parking area beside Hayes Spring, off the park road near Geyser Creek. From there:
- Island Spouter: visible from the viewing area next to Hayes, it sends a plume of water several feet into the air from a small island built of tufa, the mineral deposit left behind by the water. The spouter first appeared in the early 20th century. Stay behind the railing; the tufa is fragile.
- Hayes Spring: a naturally carbonated, salty spring with a tap at the viewing area. Its taste is similar to the Island Spouter’s water.
- Orenda Spring: a few minutes upstream on the Geyser Trail, Orenda has built a large tufa mound, colored orange by iron, that spills down toward the creek and slowly encases leaves and twigs.
The out-and-back walk to Orenda and back is about half a mile. The full Geyser Trail is about 2.9 miles and passes close to all of the park’s open springs. The trail follows the creek without railings in places, so keep a hand on young children.
What is in the water
State Parks’ spring brochure lists the chemistry of each spring. Hathorn #3 is the most saline and mineral-rich, with high levels of sodium, calcium, magnesium and chloride. Polaris has less salt and carbonation. State Seal is fresh, non-carbonated water and is a favorite for filling bottles. Charlie carries Geyser water, once one of the waters bottled in the park.
Many visitors find the carbonated springs an acquired taste. Bring a cup, sip rather than gulp, and expect salt and iron.
More to see in the park
The park was developed by New York State in the 1930s as a European-style spa. Its Classical Revival buildings include the Roosevelt and Lincoln bathhouses, the Hall of Springs, and the Gideon Putnam hotel. The park is also home to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Saratoga Automobile Museum and two golf courses, and its trails are open year-round for walking and, in winter, cross-country skiing.
Getting there
The park is off Route 9 and Route 50 on the south side of Saratoga Springs. A vehicle use fee applies at some park areas during the season. Check parks.ny.gov for current fees, hours and events.
