The Surrounding Region
Explore Northern New York
Located in Potsdam, New York, Clarkson University sits in the scenic St. Lawrence River Valley of northern New York. Surrounded by rivers, mountains, and welcoming small towns, the area offers easy access to outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks as well as nearby destinations like Ottawa and Montréal. The region blends natural beauty, community charm, and international connections, creating a distinctive environment for students to live, learn, and explore.
Boundary-Pushing Adventures in Our Backyard
Here's what's in your backyard when you're a student at Clarkson, a quintessential college town: world-class hiking, paddling, rock climbing and biking, not to mention Olympic-caliber skiing and the Adirondack Park, an internationally renowned biosphere that's the largest protected area in the continental U.S. From here, take a drive to access not just one but two funky, friendly international cities just across the border in Canada.
Nearby Attractions
Forever Wild: The Adirondacks
The six-million-acre Adirondack Park is more than huge. It's a natural playground with countless opportunities to hike big mountains, explore thousands of lakes, rivers and streams or try your hand fly fishing on the Ausable River.
Lake Placid
The Olympic Village of Lake Placid is the only place in the U.S. to host the Winter Olympics twice — once in 1932 and again in 1980. Today, you can not only visit many of those venues but try them out yourself: ski at Whiteface Mountain, which has the greatest vertical drop in the East. Make a few laps on the speed skating oval. You can even take a spin in a bobsled. Just a short drive away, Saranac Lake’s Ice Castle and Winter Carnival offer a magical winter experience with sparkling tunnels, frozen sculptures, and seasonal activities. Then, tell the tales over an Insta-worthy meal at a resort restaurant.
North of the Border
Did somebody say "road trip"? Going to Montreal, where French is the official language, feels like you're traveling farther than just two hours away. (Don't worry — you can get by fine speaking English.) Take in a Montreal Canadiens game, indulge in the city's multicultural cuisine or revel in the art and music scene. Or, visit Ottawa, Canada's capital, where you can choose from world-class museums, an Ottawa Senators game or even skate on the frozen Rideau Canal, a tradition that goes back generations.
Titus Mountain
Hit the slopes at Titus Mountain for a day or night of skiing or snowboarding on more than 50 trails for all skill levels. Afterward, warm up in the lodge with food, drinks, and a cozy atmosphere before heading back to campus. Students are able to enjoy discounted tickets.
1000 Islands and Alexandria Bay
Jump into "river life" and the Thousand Islands with a visit to Clayton, NY. See historic buildings there that date from its time as a thriving 19th-century shipbuilding town. Then, join a tour to see the unfinished Boldt Castle or Singer Castle, a towering, 28-room estate.
Higley Flow State Park
Make a short day trip to spend the day swimming, hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at this 1,115-acre state park located along the Raquette River just 25 minutes from campus. Or, bring a sleeping bag, tent and the rest of your camping gear to spend the night under the stars.
Sandstoner Park and Postwood Park
Running hot? Cool off with a dip at nearby Sandstoner Park or Postwood Park, both in Potsdam, or just sit on their sandy beaches. Sandstoner has kayaks and paddleboards to rent by the hour.
St. Lawrence River
At 700 miles long, the St. Lawrence is the longest west-east river in the U.S. — and it delivers as much variety as you'd expect. Boaters can put in at more than a dozen private and public launches in St. Lawrence County. And if you're fishing, get ready to land muskies, walleyes, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead, and carp. Or even dive for shipwrecks or spend a weekend exploring a castle.
Whiteface Mountain
Make the trip to the fifth-highest peak in New York. Part of the Adirondacks, Whiteface Mountain offers year-round activities, including skiing and snowboarding on slopes that hosted alpine events during the 1980 Winter Olympics, as well as hiking, biking, and scenic summit views during the warmer months.
Take Advantage of Nature
Northern New York is a four-season destination. Whether you're spending a lazy spring or summer day on one of the region's waterways, leaf-peeping in fall or taking a ski through a quiet forest in winter, you have plenty of options within driving distance. For more ideas, check out Nature Rx, our new site dedicated to helping the Clarkson community take full advantage of the incredible nature around us.
About the Surrounding Region
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Adirondack High Peaks, most of which are taller than 4,000 feet.
Climb them all with the Outing Club and become a 46er!
Adirondack Park is bigger than Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon combined. The Adirondacks are a living example of sustainability at work: for more than a century, they've shown how people and nature can co-exist.
More than 12,000 college students call the Potsdam area home. Clarkson's neighbors include SUNY Potsdam, St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton. In addition to an agreement allowing you to take up to two courses a year at our neighboring schools, you can also take advantage of all the events held at those campuses.
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The final score of the "Miracle on Ice" game in Lake Placid during the 1980 Olympics.
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Years of history to explore in Old Montreal, which is just two hours from campus.
Life at Clarkson in the Outdoors
Clarkson University is an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts! Students can engage in diverse outdoor activities thanks to our superb location at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.
Discover the wonders in your backyard as a Clarkson student in our quintessential college town - a hub for world-class hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, bass fishing, Olympic skiing and more.
- The Adirondack Park, an internationally renowned biosphere region and the largest publicly protected area in the continental U.S., awaits your exploration.
- Our 640-acre wooded and waterfront campus on the Raquette River offer outdoor recreation steps from your door.
- Explore further details about our surrounding area and discover how Clarkson can fulfill your outdoor interests.
Best Study Break Spot: Stewart's Ice Cream
Joshuana's favorite study break spot is only a short walk from campus!
Get Out and Explore
Whether you're on the trails with the Outing Club or wading in a peat bog as part of the Adirondack Semester, Clarkson's backyard will keep you busy for years. Bring your gear and see for yourself.