Welcome to the Albany-Schenectady Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) and its chapters dedicate themselves to the protection and responsible recreational use of the New York Forest Preserve, parks, and public lands and waters. We advocate for the environment, educate others, and promote conservation of natural resources. Our parent club employs a limited number of staff, but volunteers committed to public service and the environment run the chapters. 

The Albany Chapter was established on October 13, 1922, six months after the Main Club, and was its first chapter. It hosted numerous outings on land and on water, social meetings with educational presentations, and volunteer trail-work opportunities all over Upstate New York for people of all abilities.  

The Schenectady Chapter was established in 1943 as the fifth chapter of ADK by a group of outdoors enthusiasts from the local YMCA/YWCA. Originally called the Bouquet River Lodge Chapter, it changed its name to the Schenectady Chapter in 1958. The Schenectady Chapter offered hikes and other outings and was the only chapter that offered whitewater paddling.

Because of the Covid pandemic in the early 2020s both chapters struggled to maintain active outings schedules and attract participants, partially because of medically recommended social distancing. This led to discussions and the eventual merger of the Albany and Schenectady chapters to form the new Albany-Schenectady Chapter in April 2025.

The Albany-Schenectady Chapter combines the strengths of each organization and has around 2000 members, over one hundred of which have joined since the merger. The chapter continues to offer outings for all abilities in all seasons, on land and on water, and has a well attended social and educational program that meets once a month. 

This website is here to help you get to know the organization, to provide you with information on current chapter activities and to inform you about the latest news coming out of the Chapter. 

Please let us know of any questions, comments, suggestions, or ways you would like to participate by sending an email to contact@albany-adk.org or contacting any member of the Executive Committee. We welcome your input to make our new chapter stronger and more vibrant.