Aesculapius Club (K22), Tuxedo, NY

Introduction / Overview: The Exclusive Retreat of Aesculapius Club (K22)

For many New York residents, the name

Aesculapius Club (K22) signifies a special, semi-private hub of outdoor activity, typically reserved for organized groups, clubs, and educational programs. Located deep within the expansive and famously rugged Harriman State Park—a jewel of the New York State Parks system—this facility is not a conventional public campground where individuals book single sites. Instead, it operates as a dedicated group camp, often referred to by its park code, K22, providing structured access to the wilderness for local youth, educational, and non-profit organizations.

The site offers a vital contrast to the hustle of the metro area, providing a place where local New Yorkers can conduct retreats, host outdoor skills training, and foster community spirit amidst the natural beauty of the Hudson Highlands. Its function is crucial to the local community, serving as a base camp for organizations focused on developing leadership, resilience, and an appreciation for the outdoors. The experience here is curated and focused, moving beyond simple leisure camping to facilitate structured learning and group bonding in an authentic, rustic setting. The infrastructure is designed to support dozens of people at a time, ensuring that large groups from the New York area have a dedicated, natural space to call their own for short-term stays.

Location and Accessibility: Deep in the Heart of Harriman State Park

The Aesculapius Club (K22) is situated off Aesculapius Rd in Southfields, NY 10975, USA, placing it firmly within the massive boundaries of Harriman State Park. This location in Orange County is strategically positioned to be highly accessible for local New Yorkers while simultaneously offering a profound sense of isolation and wilderness.

Harriman State Park, at over 47,000 acres, is second in size only to the Adirondacks and is a regional treasure easily reached by car from New York City, Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen County, New Jersey. The drive itself transitions quickly from suburban sprawl into thick, mountainous forest, setting the scene for an immersive outdoor experience.

Accessibility details are unique due to its group camp status:

By Road: The camp is accessed via local roads off Route 17 and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, a convenient route for group transport from surrounding local areas. The specific roads leading to the K22 site are typically well-marked once inside the park, though they are often winding and narrow, maintaining the rustic feel of the area.

Proximity to Trails: A key feature of its location is the immediate access to Harriman’s extensive network of over 200 miles of hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail. For local organizations, this means daily excursions into true wilderness are just steps away from the camp’s central facilities.

Privacy: Unlike high-traffic public areas, the group camp’s specific road access enhances privacy and security for the organizations renting the space. This limited access ensures that the focus remains on the group's activities, free from the distractions of general park traffic.

Services Offered (Group Camp Focused)

As a facility designed for group use, the Aesculapius Club (K22) services are built to support large-scale, structured programs, rather than individual family camping. Organizations typically secure a permit for exclusive use of the camp's facilities.

Group Lodging Structures: The camp provides a base for multi-night stays, often featuring rustic cabins, large canvas platform tents, or lean-tos, specifically designed to house groups and cohorts of campers.

Communal Dining and Kitchen Facilities: To support large groups, the site includes dedicated areas, and sometimes fully-equipped kitchens or mess halls, allowing organizations to manage group meal preparation and dining efficiently.

Central Program Areas: Facilities often include large open fields for recreation, fire pits or council rings for evening gatherings, and designated areas for structured activities and training.

Sanitary Facilities: Dedicated wash houses, latrines, and shower facilities are maintained to accommodate the needs of dozens of campers, a necessity for extended group stays in the wilderness.

Water Access: While specific details vary by camp, many Harriman group camps provide access to natural water bodies for supervised aquatic activities like swimming or boating, or are near reservoirs that supply running water to the camp buildings.

Staff/Ranger Support: As part of the Harriman Group Camp system, general park maintenance and ranger support is available to ensure the safety and upkeep of the facilities, offering peace of mind to the organizing body.

Features / Highlights (A Natural Outdoor Classroom)

The true highlights of the Aesculapius Club (K22) are inextricably linked to its setting within the vast, protected lands of Harriman State Park.

Authentic Wilderness Immersion: The camp provides an unparalleled opportunity for local youth to experience true New York wilderness, with challenging terrain, deep forests, and native wildlife, offering a rich educational experience.

Proximity to Lakes and Reservoirs: Harriman State Park is dotted with numerous lakes, including Sebago, Skannatati, and Kanawauke. Group camps like K22 are typically located in close proximity to these water sources, offering potential for waterfront activities and scenic views.

Educational and Historic Trails: The park contains a wealth of hiking options, from short nature loops to strenuous, multi-day treks. This allows organizations to build detailed outdoor education curricula directly into their program schedule.

Seasonal Beauty: As an all-natural location in the Hudson Highlands, the camp offers incredible seasonal shifts, from lush summer greenery to spectacular fall foliage, making it a desirable location for group retreats throughout the year.

Seclusion and Security: The nature of the group camp system ensures a high level of seclusion, which is a major benefit for organizations needing a safe, focused environment away from the general public.

Contact Information

Access to the Aesculapius Club (K22) is managed through its sponsoring organization and the official permitting channels for the Harriman Group Camps. Direct public contact information for site booking is not typically maintained for individual sites. Organizations interested in utilizing this unique resource must typically coordinate through the regional parks governing body or the non-profit organization that manages the lease.

P Address: Aesculapius Rd, Southfields, NY 10975, USA

Booking and Permits: Reservations for group camps in Harriman are managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) or the organizations that lease the camp. Local organizations should begin their inquiry by contacting the appropriate regional park office within the PIPC for the most up-to-date reservation procedures, availability, and specific phone numbers.

General Harriman Park Information: A common general contact number for the Harriman Group Camp system can often be found by contacting the Park office directly via the New York State Parks directory.

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

The Aesculapius Club (K22) in Southfields represents a crucial, specialized component of New York’s outdoor recreational infrastructure. Its suitability for local New Yorkers lies in its role as a dedicated

Group Leadership and Outdoor Education Center. For the vast network of local organizations—from youth groups and school clubs to conservation societies and church retreat planners—K22 offers a managed, fully immersive wilderness experience without the need for extreme travel.

This location allows local leaders to efficiently transport their groups to a pristine, structured environment where young people can disconnect from digital life and learn essential outdoor skills. The camp’s deep integration into Harriman State Park provides unmatched access to significant natural features and challenging terrain, ensuring that the experience is both memorable and transformative. For the New York community, the Aesculapius Club (K22) is more than just a place on a map; it is a preserved, natural institution dedicated to fostering the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and community leaders right here in the Hudson Valley.