Masonic Home Camp at Round Lake, Woodgate, NY

Introduction / Overview

The Masonic Home Camp at Round Lake, widely recognized as Camp Turk, stands as a stunning and historically rich recreational property nestled deep within the scenic Adirondack Park in Woodgate, New York. Situated on a massive 1,500+ acres of meticulously maintained woodlands and boasting its own private, spring-fed 56-acre Round Lake, this facility offers an unparalleled opportunity for Upstate New York residents to experience the true tranquility and beauty of the region. While the site’s primary and well-known function is hosting the Camp Turk youth summer camp—a tradition dating back to 1924, initially serving the orphans and residents of the Masonic Home in Utica—the grounds and some accommodations are also available for family camping, retreats, and rentals during non-camp sessions.

This blend of heritage, community commitment, and exceptional natural resources makes the property unique among New York campgrounds. It is overseen by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, ensuring high standards of cleanliness, safety, and operational excellence. The long history of dedicated service and maintenance means the grounds are typically "beautiful and very well groomed," as noted by recent visitors. The staff, including site managers, are frequently highlighted for their helpfulness and friendly approach, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience, whether you are staying in a cabin or renting one of the available sites. For New Yorkers, the site offers a chance to step back from the modern world and connect with nature, family, and a strong sense of community, often rekindling fond, multi-generational memories of past visits.

The property’s vast acreage ensures that whether you are a family utilizing a rental cabin or part of a larger organized retreat, you have access to ample space, clean facilities, and an almost limitless array of outdoor activities centered around the private lake and extensive wooded trails. This destination is less of a typical drive-up campground and more of a complete recreational resort experience, making it a highly desirable escape for those in the metropolitan areas of New York seeking true Adirondack solitude and adventure. It is important to note that access to family camping is typically prioritized for members of the New York State Masonic Fraternity, staff of the Masonic Care Community, and families who have participated in the Camp Turk Youth Program, reflecting its core mission.

Location and Accessibility

The Masonic Home Camp at Round Lake is located at 6461 Round Lake Rd, Woodgate, NY 13494, USA. This places the property deep within the southwestern edge of the vast Adirondack Park, offering a pristine, secluded, and genuinely natural environment. Its location is approximately 45 minutes north of Utica, NY, which serves as a major gateway and amenity hub for the area.

For New York residents traveling from the major downstate regions, the camp is conveniently accessible via the New York State Thruway (I-90). Visitors typically take Exit 31 in Utica and then proceed north on NYS Route 12. The entire trip from the Albany Capital Region takes roughly 2.5 hours, while travel time from the New York City area is estimated at around 5 hours, making it a manageable drive for a week-long stay. The drive itself is beautiful, guiding visitors away from urban sprawl and into the increasingly dense forests and rolling hills of the Adirondack foothills.

Once in Woodgate, the location on Round Lake Road quickly transitions from local roads to the private, wooded setting of the 1,500-acre camp property. This seclusion is a major highlight, guaranteeing the peace and quiet New Yorkers often seek on an Upstate retreat. While local services are limited in Woodgate itself, the easy access to Utica ensures that guests can stock up on supplies or address any emergency needs without undue travel. For those seeking an immersive Adirondack experience that is easy to reach but feels entirely removed from civilization, the location of the Masonic Home Camp is ideal.

Services Offered

The services at the Masonic Home Camp are primarily structured to support its youth camp and retreat programs but extend to family campers and renters, focusing on comfort and a wide range of activities.

Accommodations and Rentals: Offers rental options, including cabins (such as the 'Cooks Cabin' mentioned in reviews) and other rental facilities. Cabins are known to be clean, well-kept, and often feature amenities for an extended stay.
Watercraft Access: Provides a full suite of non-motorized boats, including canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and peddle boats, for use on the private Round Lake.
Wooded Sites: Designated sites, often for seasonal or short-term use, that are maintained and feature amenities like campfire pits (with wood frequently provided).
Dining Facilities: The large dining hall is professionally managed, offering delicious and nutritious meals during youth camp and for large retreat groups, and may be available to other guests depending on the season.
Health and Safety: On-site infirmary and professional medical staff (Registered Nurses) are available during youth camp sessions, ensuring a safe environment.
Professional Staffing: Dedicated and friendly staff, including site managers, offer personal assistance from booking through to check-out, with high marks for customer service.

Features / Highlights

The campground’s features are deeply integrated with its massive, unspoiled Adirondack setting and its history as a dedicated summer program.

Private Round Lake: A spectacular 56-acre private, spring-fed lake is the centerpiece, offering exclusive swimming, fishing, and boating in a pristine environment without public access pressure.
Extensive Recreational Land: Situated on over 1,500 acres of land in the Adirondack Park, providing ample room for exploration, hiking, and biking.
Waterfront Activities: Beyond simple boating, the waterfront includes a sandy swimming area, docks for fishing, and sometimes features recreational inflatables for water fun.
Sport and Athletics: Numerous athletic fields and courts support organized sports, including tennis, basketball, and volleyball, maintained for the youth camp's extensive programming.
Campfire and Social Areas: Dedicated campfire pits along the lakefront and lean-to structures, like the Bear's Den, offer picturesque views and perfect spots for evening relaxation, stories, and s'mores.
Arts and Theatre Facilities: The camp includes dedicated spaces like a Music Hall and a Theatre, which host performances and movies, a nod to the facility's rich history, including the 1970s movie theater run by a local resident.
Bike and Walking Paths: Features well-maintained walking paths in the woods and bike paths directly across the way for safe outdoor exercise and exploration.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding family camping opportunities, cabin rentals, retreat bookings, or the specifics of the Camp Turk youth program at this unique Adirondack location, please use the following contact details.

Address: 6461 Round Lake Rd, Woodgate, NY 13494, USA

Primary Phone Line: (315) 392-2422

Mobile Phone: +1 315-392-2422

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The Masonic Home Camp at Round Lake is exceptionally well-suited for New York residents, particularly those who are part of the Masonic community or past Camp Turk families, but also for any local seeking an authentic, high-quality Adirondack experience. Its suitability hinges on three major factors: the quality of the property, the depth of its programming, and its profound sense of history and community.

Firstly, the sheer scale and quality of the facility—over 1,500 acres with a private, pristine lake—offers an unmatched level of natural immersion. For New Yorkers looking to escape the urban heat and noise, this provides guaranteed solitude and exclusive recreational access not found at typical public campgrounds. The clean, well-groomed grounds and well-maintained rental accommodations ensure a comfortable stay that often exceeds traditional camping expectations.

Secondly, the multi-generational connection is powerful. As noted by a long-time former camper, the memories created here are "priceless." The camp’s commitment to youth and family programming ensures that visiting locals are not just booking a site, but participating in a nearly century-old tradition of character building and outdoor fun. This deep-rooted history gives the location a soul and a purpose that is inherently valuable.

Finally, while the primary focus is the youth camp, the availability of family camping and rentals during off-season times provides a vital opportunity for Capital Region, Central, and Upstate New York residents to access a premier Adirondack location that might otherwise be out of reach. It serves as a fantastic, affordable, and safe retreat for families seeking to create their own lasting memories in a truly beautiful and professionally managed setting. For local New Yorkers, a visit here is not just a vacation; it's an engagement with a cherished part of New York State’s community history.