On Campus
You don’t have to go far to find beautiful outdoor places on campus! As you walk to your classes, you’ll notice all throughout Clarkson’s campus there are gardens, open fields of grass or meadows, and many varieties of often towering, majestic trees!
Click the photos below for access to locations, maps, and wellness activities.
“I grew up with flower gardens in my backyard, so having a place to sit outside near daffodils in the spring on campus is amazing. Ginny’s Garden is a beautiful place to sit and eat lunch with friends, or to get some classwork done when the weather is nice. And you don’t have to wander very far to find it — it’s just outside the Student Center!” – Evelyn Laferriere, ’22 ’25
Enjoy this large open area of grass or snow offering a spot to do many activities either alone or in a group such as building a snow sculpture, doing yoga, or playing catch.
Pollinator meadows are no mow zones where a mix of native wildflowers and grasses create habitats for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They are tapestries of life, where every blade of grass and petal sings a quiet song of abundance. Bird houses put up by the Sustainability Club support this ecosystem.
Munter Trail
A 2.2 mile loop along the Raquette river through the woods is a tranquil journey where the soothing murmur of flowing water guides your steps. The river’s surface sparkles in the dappled sunlight. Tall trees fill the woods with their branches swaying gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering secrets of the forest.
Due to the abundance and variety of trees in this thriving forest, it is now designated as an arboretum. The towering trees stretch towards the sky each one a testament to natures timeless elegance. It is a peaceful haven of nature’s diversity.
Along the river there are multiple platforms that look out over the river and to all the delightful wildlife and vegetation that reside there. Time seems to pause as the sky stretches endlessly above, and the river whispers stories to the stones below.
Near the Boathouse and Riverside Apartments located on Munter Trail you will find picnic tables, trees for hammocks, and river access. This quiet spot provides a space where you can enjoy the sunlight, hear the sounds of wildlife, and get some fresh air! Students can reach out to CUOC for access to equipment in the boathouse.
Clarkson Woods
A 1.7-mile trail that loops through the forest winds softly beneath a canopy of ancient trees. The earth beneath your feet is rich and damp. In spring, summer, and fall the air is cool and alive with the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves from squirrels and chipmunks. In the winter, the snow mutes every sound, wrapping the earth in a soft, white quiet.
“Whenever I need to collect my thoughts and decompress from everything going on, my first thought is to go to the observation deck to listen to the birds and watch the beavers. I am so grateful to have this location that feels separate from school right on campus. If you haven’t made it out to the observation deck yet, I would highly recommend you do so.” -Ella Weldy ’25 ’27
Want to camp but don’t want to drive anywhere? Head to the student-built lean-to to camp for the night! While there be sure to enjoy the fire pit and safely extinguish your fire using the student-designed and built rainwater collection system.
An amazing part of campus ecology, the vernal pools scattered throughout our woods provide habitat for macroinvertebrates and amphibians. In the spring, the peepers are so loud you might need ear protection! Make sure to take a night hike in the spring to experience this part of our campus.