Located on the northern shore of Lower Saranac Lake, the Guggenheim Center is a jewel of the Diocese. The Adirondack Mountains surround Guggenheim, which is just west of the Village of Saranac Lake in Franklin County. In 1963, Edmund Guggenheim donated his Adirondack Great Camp and the surrounding 130 acres of land to the Diocese of Ogdensburg. 

The Guggenheim Center is divided into two sections known as the Dorm and the Lodge. 

The Dorm

The Dorm area is comprised of the dorm building, dining hall, In and garage. It can accommodate 80 overnight campers. In July and August, it hosts Camp Guggenheim, the weekly summer camp for young people from age 12 to 18 organized by the Diocesan Youth Department. The Family Life Department sponsors Family Guggenheim weekends in August and Columbus Day. The Dorm also hosts single and multi-day diocesan, parish and school events such as retreats, celebrations, meetings, campus ministry and Newman groups.

The Lodge

The Lodge area includes the Adirondack Great Camp and associated boathouse. It can accommodate thirteen overnight guests.  It is used for retreats and other events, like the Dorm. It often hosts priests, nuns, their families, and other church-related groups.

The Boathouse

Lounging on the water

The Apartment

Welcome to Guggenheim!

Our home on the water .....

... that is missing YOU!

Use of Guggenheim Center

The Guggenheim Center is in operation from the Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day and is available for individuals, groups or non-profit organizations. If you are interested in using the Dorm or Lodge, please use the following steps: 

1.  Review the 2023 Reservation Guidelines, Policies and Visitors Mandatory Safety Plan which describes: 
         a.  What is available 
         b.  Usage costs and cancellation policies 
         c.  Usage policies including COVID-19 safety procedures
         d.  Contact information 
2.  Check the Availability Calendar 

3.  ​The Guggenheim Center is closed for reservations for the remainder of the year. Requests to use the Guggenheim Center will open again in the new year. 

3.  Request to use the Guggenheim Center by filing the Request to Use Form 

Contact Us

For questions regarding the facility and reservations, contact:  

Deacon James Crowley, Chancellor 
Diocese of Ogdensburg 
622 Washington Street 
PO Box 369 
Ogdensburg, NY 13669 
315-393-2920, Ext. 1310 
jcrowley@rcdony.org 

Guggenheim Center for Religious Programs 
1468 County Rt. 18, Forest Home Road 
P.O. Box 664 
Saranac Lake, NY 12983  
Lodge phone: 518-891-0809 
Dorm phone: 518-891-3323