Agatha A. Durland Scout Reservation

- 1 Clear Lake Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579

The quest for a genuine, rustic, and expansive wilderness escape close to New York City often leads local residents to discover hidden gems that offer profound natural beauty and exceptional facilities. One such place, deeply cherished by the community for its preservation of over 1,400 acres of largely undeveloped land, is the **Agatha A. Durland Scout Reservation** in Putnam Valley, NY. While primarily managed for the Greater Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America, this vast reservation is made available for unit and group rentals from September through June, providing a priceless resource for organized groups—including families, friends, and community organizations—seeking a full-spectrum outdoor experience.

Named after a generous benefactor of the local scouting movement, the Durland Scout Reservation, formerly known as Clear Lake Scout Reservation, is a magnificent testament to environmental stewardship. It offers a diverse landscape of deciduous forest, multiple ponds, and two significant lakes, including the aptly named Clear Lake. The commitment to maintaining the property’s integrity means that visitors are treated to an authentic, rugged Hudson Valley setting that feels a world away from the city's hustle. Whether you are looking to secure a comfortable cabin for a weekend retreat or pitch a tent in a secluded wilderness spot, Durland provides the infrastructure for memorable group adventures in a pristine natural environment that borders the expansive Clarence Fahnestock State Park.

Location and Accessibility: A Putnam Valley Haven

The Agatha A. Durland Scout Reservation is strategically located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, making it highly accessible for residents throughout the New York metropolitan area.

The property's address is 1 Clear Lake Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579, USA.

For local New Yorkers traveling by car, the reservation is a straightforward drive north into Putnam County. The route often involves the Taconic State Parkway, which provides a scenic and relatively quick journey away from the congestion of the immediate city.

While the reservation offers drive-up access to several sites and parking is available, the property itself spans 1,400 acres, ensuring that many of the campsites and cabins feel deeply secluded. The camp's location immediately adjacent to **Clarence Fahnestock State Park** is a major draw. This proximity means that the miles of internal, well-marked trails seamlessly connect to a massive network of regional hiking opportunities, including a section of the legendary Appalachian Trail. This easy access to one of the region's largest protected wilderness areas significantly enhances the scope of outdoor adventure available to local visitors.

Services Offered: Accommodation and Amenities for Groups

The Durland Scout Reservation operates primarily as a short-term/weekend rental facility for organized groups and units from September through June. The services and facilities are designed to support a full range of rustic yet comfortable group camping needs.

• Variety of Accommodation Options: Groups can choose from different lodging types to suit their needs, including large and small cabins, tent sites, lean-to sites, and designated primitive, hike-in wilderness campsites.
• Cabin Features: The well-maintained cabins, praised in customer reviews, come equipped with essential amenities for cold-weather camping, such as refrigerators, propane cooking stoves, wood stoves, electricity, and year-round running water. Some cabins even feature a microwave.
• Clean Latrine Facilities: Cabins are clustered near well-maintained latrine facilities that feature running water, providing a significant comfort amenity for groups.
• Program Area Rentals: Specialized program areas are available for rent by groups, which may include the Archery Range, BB Gun Range, and Boating facilities (specific certifications may be required for use).
• Designated Day Use Sites: For those interested solely in hiking, fishing, or geocaching on the property, day-rate reservations are available for standard campsites.
• Firewood Provision: For those renting cabins with wood stoves, firewood is provided on the porch, simplifying the winter camping experience.

Features and Highlights: Nature's Classroom and True Retreat

What distinguishes the Agatha A. Durland Scout Reservation is the sheer scale of the property and the quality of the natural resources it protects. It offers local New Yorkers a genuine, multi-activity outdoor playground.

• 1,400 Acres of Wild Land: The vast acreage guarantees true wilderness immersion, providing ample space for exploration, privacy, and quiet reflection away from urban noise.
• Extensive Trail Network: The reservation boasts 18 miles of color-coded, well-maintained hiking trails, allowing for varying degrees of difficulty and offering endless opportunities for exploration right outside the cabin door.
• Clear Lake Access: The reservation’s crown jewel, Clear Lake, offers excellent opportunities for swimming (seasonally and with appropriate supervision/certifications), fishing, and boating, adding a valuable water element to the camping experience.
• Well-Maintained Rustic Cabins: Visitors frequently compliment the maintenance of the cabins and the cleanliness of the latrines, balancing the rustic charm with essential comfort and hygiene.
• Proximity to Appalachian Trail: Bordering Fahnestock State Park, the camp offers hikers direct access to some of the region's most famous and rigorous trails, including a portion of the legendary Appalachian Trail.
• Year-Round Group Functionality: With robust cabin facilities featuring heat and running water, the reservation is ideally suited for organizations looking to host events, training, or retreats during the cooler fall, winter, and spring months in the Hudson Valley.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding unit rentals, day use reservations, or specific amenities, please use the contact information provided below. It is always recommended to check the Greater Hudson Valley Council’s official website for the most current reservation policies and availability.

• Address: 1 Clear Lake Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579, USA
• Phone: (845) 526-2029
• Mobile Phone: +1 845-526-2029

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

For groups, organizations, and families across the New York region, the Agatha A. Durland Scout Reservation represents a premium, accessible, and high-quality location for organized outdoor recreation. Unlike public campgrounds that may be difficult to reserve or lack group-friendly infrastructure, Durland specializes in providing turn-key group lodging and programmatic support.

Its extensive size—1,400 acres—ensures an authentic wilderness experience, far exceeding what many closer-to-the-city parks can offer. The option of renting large, comfortable cabins in the off-season provides a fantastic and affordable alternative for New York groups who want to host a winter retreat without the expense of a commercial lodge. The ease of access via car, coupled with the phenomenal hiking and lake activities (including fishing and swimming in Clear Lake), solidifies its status as a vital recreational asset. By utilizing this resource, local groups are not only securing a beautiful spot for a getaway but are also contributing to the legacy of land conservation that the original owner, Agatha Durland, intended—preserving a magnificent piece of the Hudson Valley "forever wild" for future generations of New Yorkers to explore and enjoy.

Agatha A. Durland Scout Reservation

1 Clear Lake Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579, USA