Design & Nature Tour at Manitoga, Garrison NY
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should be comfortable walking uneven ground and climbing a 40-step stone stair.
Overview
Step into Russel Wright’s Dragon Rock at Manitoga, where art and nature fuse across a rugged quarry landscape. This 90-minute tour reveals a historic home, cascading waterfall, and landscape transformed by design innovation.
Manitoga: Design • Art • Nature
Experience the House, Studio & Design Gallery
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About This Adventure
Embark on the Design • Art • Nature Tour at Manitoga, where you'll explore the stunning landscapes and innovative architecture of Russel Wright's Dragon Rock. This 90-minute journey features breathtaking views, a majestic waterfall, and unique interiors that blend art and nature, making for an unforgettable experience in a historic setting.
Duration
1.5 Hours
Experience Manitoga
The Design • Art • Nature Tour is the standard public tour, offered weekly Thursdays through Sundays from mid-May through mid-November. Visit MANITOGA, the House, Studio and Woodland Garden of pioneer industrial designer, Russel Wright (1904-1976) and his family. Experience Dragon Rock, Wright's experimental home which he built onto the rock ledge of an abandoned quarry while masterfully orchestrating the surrounding landscape into a series of outdoor rooms of varying character and delight.
Design • Art • Nature Tour
Visitors follow the upper Quarry path to enjoy stunning views of the Quarry Pool, House and Studio. An ascending stone stair leads to a mountain laurel grove and the exquisite moss rooms before visitors cross a majestic waterfall over a wood plank bridge. Once at Dragon Rock, the House and Studio interiors are defined by expanses of glass, innovative materials use, and seamless connections to outside terraces.
All tours include The Russel & Mary Wright Design Gallery at Manitoga, featuring over 200 objects from the Wrights’ ground-breaking designs for the American home.
On view 2025 Art + Design installation, TBA
PLEASE NOTE - All tour programs include a moderate hike through the landscape to arrive at the House & Studio. Visitors must ascend a 40-step stone stair with handrail.
Please review our VISITOR INFORMATION section when planning your visit.
2025 Art + Design Installation
Details forthcoming.
Important Information
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Tours are conducted rain or shine. Please wear flat, outdoor-terrain walking shoes for uneven ground and dress appropriately for being outside in the weather.
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Insect/tick repellent and drinking water are highly recommended. Picnic tables are available in the Meadow adjacent to the public parking lot, should you wish to picnic before or after your tour. Manitoga’s hiking trails are open daily from dawn to dusk and are accessible from the same parking lot.
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Pets, backpacks, large purses and bags, tripods, cumbersome camera equipment, extension poles and selfie-sticks are not permitted.
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For safety reasons, children must be at least 10 years old to attend. Infants are not admitted.
Adventure Tips
Wear sturdy shoes
Expect uneven and sometimes steep terrain; flat-soled shoes with good grip are essential.
Bring insect repellent
Ticks and insects are common during warmer months; protect yourself accordingly.
Arrive early for parking
Allow 15-20 minutes for parking and check-in to ensure a prompt tour start.
No bags on tour
Backpacks, large purses, and tripods are not permitted; plan to carry minimal gear.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- White-tailed deer
- Eastern chipmunks
History
Russel Wright built Dragon Rock by integrating the home into an abandoned quarry, pioneering ecological design in mid-century America.
Conservation
Manitoga maintains sustainable stewardship of the site, protecting native plants and minimizing impact on delicate geological features.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Hiking shoes
Provides stability and traction on rocky and uneven terrain.
Insect repellent
Protects against ticks and biting insects during warmer months.
spring specific
Water bottle
Staying hydrated is crucial during outdoor walking in warm weather.
summer specific
Layered clothing
Allows for adjusting to temperature changes during the hike and interiors.
fall specific