Overview

Around the turn of the last century, families whose last names were at the forefront of our collective consciousness, signifying power, taste and vast fortunes – Rockefellers, Astors, Morgans and Vanderbilts among them — built mountaintop, lakeside “camps” in Upstate New York to escape summertime heat and urban life . These Gilded Age captains of industry ventured north in grand style; private railway cars, bringing family, friends, business associates and staff along for “the season”.

Rest assured these were no mere tents in the woods. In a sense, they were similar to their Newport marble palaces referred to as “cottages.” The stately compounds of resplendent mansions made of timber and stone housed several dozen fortunate guests at once. Set in the remote, lake-studded woodlands of the Blue Lake Mountains, they cherished mother nature in its purest form and “roughed it” in the rustic epitome of life’s creature comforts.

By most accounts, Lake Kora was the “grandest” of Great Camps. A sprawling, timbered compound on a secluded lake comprised of 1,000 pristine acres purchased by Teddy Roosevelt’s Lieutenant Governor, Timothy Woodruff. Tales of Woodruff’s ownership are of legendary hedonism in the woods; the greatest of luxuries and most unexpected amusements: gondolas imported from Venice plying the lake, semi-tamed bears resided near the cabins, telephone service as early as 1903. Subsequent owners (neighboring Vanderbilts among them) indulged certain eccentricities – at one time, tame deer visited daily for freshly made blueberry pancakes. For years, the competing baseball teams of Yale and Harvard were brought here for pre-season games for the amusement of the owners and their guests.

Even today, a sense of uncommon merriment permeates; many elements are unchanged since the property’s early days. Most original buildings remain and many have been re-purposed with care over the past 125 years. Majestic logs and stone were sourced on site, even the ironwork hewned in the workshop still stands. The 20 ft. dining table, mounted hunting trophies, a billiards table, heritage bowling lanes are original to Kamp Kill Kare, its novelty name.

Some minor modifications thru the years for the sake of guest comfort have been realized. Telephones in each accommodation, Wi-Fi throughout, spa facilities in the Old Ice House indulged by current guests were not an option back then. Overall, however, the integrity retains true in its appearance, spirit and original purpose to an extraordinary degree not readily found in today’s world. Its both a history lesson and a tribute to a bygone, enchanting era.

Lake Kora is but a few of the Great Camps which remain in private hands and open to the public. Until 2015, it was accessible to no one but its owners and thankful friends fortunate enough to receive an invitation. Its present owner since 2005 (only its fourth) made a conscientious decision to open this captivating, private and historical estate to a limited number of exclusive bookings during the peak summer and early fall months.

Stay where the world can’t find you.

Please note:

• The rental season at Lake Kora is July 1 to October 31
• Rate is based on 24 guests
• Supplemental charge for island cabin
• For exclusive use only
• Stays of less than one week are possible

Property Details

Please see our amenities page for the extensive estate facilities.

Tree House
Sleeps 4

• Seating area, kitchenette-dining table for 4
• Master bedroom-king bed-fireplace-bathroom
• Upstairs bedroom-queen bed-fireplace-bathroom

Gardener’s Cottage
Sleeps 2

• Dining & Living Room-fireplace-kitchenette-1/2 bath
• Upstairs master bedroom-king bed-fireplace-bathroom

Boathouses (2)

Black:
Sleeps 4

• Living Room-kitchenette-fireplace-expansive deck
• Master bedroom-king bed-fireplace-bathroom
• Upstairs bedroom-twin beds-fireplace-bathroom

Red:
Sleeps 4

• Living Room-kitchenette-fireplace-expansive deck
• Master bedroom-king bed-fireplace-bathroom
• Upstairs bedroom-twin beds-fireplace-bathroom

Cottages (2)

Cottage One:
Sleeps 4

• Living Room–Dining Room-fireplace-kitchen
• Upstairs bedroom-queen bed-shared bathroom
• Upstairs bedroom-twin beds-shared bathroom
• Additional bathroom on main level

Cottage Two:
Sleeps 4

• Living Room-fireplace-Dining Room-kitchen
• Upstairs bedroom-queen bed-shared bathroom
• Upstairs bedroom-twin beds-shared bathroom
• Additional bathroom on main level

Library – Located adjacent to Boathouses
Sleeps 2

• Master bedroom-king bed-fireplace-bathroom
• Kitchenette-outdoor private balcony

Main Lodge 

• Large living room with huge fireplace, comfortable seating and billiards table
• Small cozy lounge with fireplace
• Dining room with table for 22 plus alcove dining which seats an additional 6 people
• Indian – Sleeps 2 – Main level bedroom-twin beds-fireplace-bathroom
• Fort – Sleeps 2 – Main level bedroom-twin beds-fireplace-bathroom
• Gables – Sleeps 2 – Upstairs bedroom-king bed-fireplace-bathroom
• Alcove – Sleeps 2 – Upstairs bedroom-twin beds-fireplace-bathroom
• Porch – Sleeps 2 – Upstairs bedroom-twin beds-a wall of screened windows to bring the outdoors inside Bathroom shared with Gables bedroom
• Bachelor’s – Sleeps 1 –  Upstairs bedroom with 1 twin bed Bathroom shared with Alcove bedroom

Island Cabin
Sleeps 4

• Living Room-dining area-fireplace-kitchen-front porch
• Upstairs master bedroom-king bed-fireplace-bathroom
• Upstairs bedroom-twin beds

*Sofa beds that sleep 2 persons in Gardener’s Cottage and Red Boathouse