DEER HAVEN PARK
Home to the Majestic Seneca White Deer
Deer Haven Park is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Nestled between the two largest of the Finger Lakes, it occupies a place formerly known as the Seneca Army Depot.
Built in 1941, the Seneca Army Depot covered over 10,000 acres of central Seneca County. It was commissioned by the US Department of Defense in response to the beginning of WWII and was originally dubbed the Seneca Ordnance Depot. The Depot was the US Army’s main East Coast munitions storage facility until it was decommissioned in 2000.
In 2003, the US Military turned the property back over to the Seneca County IDA. Soon after, the County developed about 3000 acres to include several businesses, government offices & institutions and industry. Later, in 2016 the newly established business entity, Deer Haven Park, LLC purchased the remaining 7,000 acres.
After more than 70 years of locked gates and secrecy, Deer Haven Park offers a glimpse into this mystical place. In addition to the unique and majestic Seneca white deer herd, it holds a mysteriously rich military history.
Join us on a tour and discover the Majesty and Mystery of Deer Haven Park!
Tour the Historic Seneca Army Depot,
by Car or by Bus!
Deer Haven Park is excited to once again offer Auto Tours, which allow guests to drive their own vehicle through the park with our automated "Tour Guide" app telling the story of the historic Seneca Army Depot and guiding the way. We are also excited to bring back our Majesty & Mystery Bus Tours two evenings each week for a more personal and up-close encounter with the park. Visit us online to reserve your seat on our next Majesty and Mystery Bus Tour, or just stop by any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday to take the Auto Tour on your own and without reservations.
3 Ways to Tour Deer Haven Park
Deer Haven Park's Visitor Center and Seneca Army Depot Mini Museum is open every Thursday - Saturday 11am - 6pm between May and October, with App-Guided driving tours being offered Thursdays and Saturdays form 11am-4pm. This Auto Tour will take the 8 mile journey deep into the former Seneca Army Depot revealing some of the Mysteries of the former munitions storage base and offering a glimpse into the amazing habitat that is home to the world's largest herd of all white, white-tail deer.
Our Majesty and Mystery Regular Bus Tours feature professional tour guides and a chance to step off the bus to get a closer look at the park. JOIN US for an early evening tour of the Historic Seneca Army Depot and have your best chance of seeing the Majestic Seneca White Deer! For more information, visit our Bus Tour page.
Our Private Bus Tours also feature a professional tour guide however, you can take the tour whenever it is convenient for you, AND you will have the whole bus to you and your guests!
JUMP MENU
2024 Season Lineup
AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING 2024 SEASON LINEUP OF SPECIALTY FIRST TIME EVENTS AND RETURN FAVORITES ARE IN STORE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO ENJOY!! Check out this year’s upcoming standard and specialty event calendar and plan your visit/book your seats today so that you can join us and not miss out.
- April 8 - TOTAL ECLIPSE IN THE PARK: Thank you to all who participated in this Once-in-a-Lifetime event! Despite being overcast most of the afternoon, a few breaks in the clouds just before and after totality provided guests a glimpse of a 98% Eclipsed sun. A special thank you to the Interlaken Sportsman's Club for preparing and cooking the delicious lunch menu items, and to Binghamton's WBNG Channel 12 Chief Meteorologist, Howard Manges, and Photojournalist Ben Hodil, for joining us at the eclipse viewing location, deep inside Deer Haven Park!
- May 17-October 26 Fridays & Saturdays - 2024 SEASON BUS TOURS where guests can enjoy a guided 1.5-hour Majesty & Mystery Tour to include military and land history while entering an original military igloo and bomb shelter. Also learn about the resident wildlife while enjoying the flora and fauna with always the possibility of spying on the white, whitetail deer, eagles, and plethora of the park’s other mammal, reptilian, and feathered friends. Book your seats online. Reservations required. Learn more...
- May 23 - OFFICIAL 2024 OPENING OF TOURIST SEASON when the Visitor Center with its military museum and wildlife giftshop will be open from 11am to 6pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through 10/26/24.
- May 23-October 26 Thursdays & Saturdays ONLY - APP GUIDED AUTO TOURS where, while staying within your own vehicle, you can drive along an 8-mile designated route and enjoy the military history, flora, and fauna of the park with a GPS controlled tablet as your guide. Learn more...
- June 15 - THE FIRST OF 3 WALKING TOURS OF 2024 is back by popular demand! This roughly 1.75-mile, guided walking tour debuted in 2023. Walkers will learn about the military and land history as well as the numerous wildlife within. Areas that are not accessible during standard tours are visited as well as getting up close and personal to the rear entrance of the infamous “Q” area. Space is extremely limited. Reservations required. (Additional Walking Tours 9/7 & 10/19) Learn more...
- July 20 - THE “Q” TOUR, 80 YEARS OF SECRECY REVEALED! Be among the first tourists to travel on guided open wagon through DHP and then into the once heavily Military Police guarded special weapons area known as the “Q” wherein was held the largest supply of nuclear weapon components in the U.S. **Please note: This will be the only “Q” tour in 2024 and may not be offered again in the future. Seating is limited. Reservations required. Learn more...
- August 17 - BREAKING INTO THE PAST TOUR is the first of its kind as we take an open wagon ride deep into the park wherein lie many undisturbed munition igloos whose doors were securely locked and abandoned nearly 30 years ago. On this inaugural tour, we will cut the original military lock of an igloo that has been sealed since before the turn of the century and journey into its depths. What conditions will exist within? Was there anything left behind? Join us to find out. Seating is limited. Reservations required. Learn More...
- September 28 - FALL FESTIVAL AND CRAFT FAIR is back, much bigger and better than ever with fun for the whole family. This year’s event will host artisans from around the state, live raptor shows, live chainsaw carving demonstrations; past era military vehicle displays with presentations, Civil War camp demonstrators with presentations, discounted open wagon and climate-controlled bus tours, food, raffles, wine tasting, and so much more! Don’t miss out on this once-a-year event. Reserve your event and tour tickets online. Learn More...
- October 26 - FINAL DAY OF TOUR SEASON 2024 When the doors of the Visitor Center close at 4pm, the park will officially be closed for the season. In the off season, Private Tours can be scheduled if the weather and staffing permits. Also, keep an eye open for any specialty off season one day events on this website and/or visit us on Facebook for updates. As always, thank you for your support! Book your tour...
PLEASE NOTE: All donations and proceeds from tour ticket and gift shop sales stay within the park to help support the conservation of military history, all wildlife, as well as nature and infrastructure within the park. DHP thanks you for your ongoing support and looks forward to hosting you and your family soon.
Go Beyond the Fence with Dee Calvasina!
Read Dee's Latest Columns
"Beyond the Fence" is a monthly column in The Finger Lakes Times that is centered around the property formerly known as the Seneca Army Depot, and now Deer Haven Park. Go "Beyond the Fence" now with freelance author Dee Calvasina!
Own Dee's Book
Pick up your paperback copy of Dee Calvasina's captivating book about The Amazing World of Deer Haven Park. Learn More
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