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A Promise to Gaia/Garden Of One

99%

· Rensselaerville, Albany, New York

107 acres hosted by Rachel G.

2 lodging sites

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

Private sites

97% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Our focus and purpose on this land is to provide stewardship and sanctuary for the Natural world to maintain it’s own balance with minimal interference from humans. To remain wild and free. We are a plant, wildlife and butterfly sanctuary. We rent the lodgings (Chalet, Cabin & Glampsite) to support and fund the maintenance and expansion of native and pollinating species of plants, expanding the area that we steward, providing habitat and refuge for animals, insects, birds and more. We wish to share our sacred land with people that love and respect the Earth, who wish to contribute to a conservation project through their own presence and mindfulness. Once a RV camping park called "Thunder Hill Campground" in the late 1960's early 1970's, the land sat mostly unused for 15 years before Rachel came to steward it 20 years ago. We are 107 acres of forest, a 9 acre lake, ponds, creeks, labyrinth, a Holistic Retreat Center & Organic Permaculture Farm at a 2000 foot elevation in the Heldeberg Mountains. 500 million years ago during the Devonian Period this was a sea, so we live in shale based mountains with lots of fossils! The Heldebergs are one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth, these mountains have been worn down to 2000 feet over time. Native Americans lived in the area many years ago and we are quite sure this was Native American sacred ceremony land. Hiking, canoeing, swimming and fishing (catch & release only) are available on site. There are many places to hike in the area, an Eagle Trail and in winter, 2 miles away, is a Nature Preserve that rents snowshoes and has trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, Very rural and private, even though we are only 25 miles SW of Albany, NY the capital of NYS, here it is quiet and peaceful. We do have 3 very friendly dogs that will want to be your best friends. Also farm animals that you can meet. There will be farm noises, roosters greeting the morning and various grunts and snorts... far less noise than any modern city. Albany, along with the surrounding areas, have many events etc going on. There's hiking, biking, nature parks, horse racing, concerts, festivals and events and so much more. Links and information can be provided to campers that stay with us that are looking for entertainment & excursions. We are near Albany, Berne, Catskill, Cairo, Cobleskill, East Durham, Greenville, Hunter, Knox, Medusa, Oak Hill, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Westerlo, Windham.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Forest

Lake

River, stream, or creek

Swimming hole

99%

91 ratings · 70 reviews

Anne S.recommends

August 28, 2022

Quaint Lakeside Nature Cabin

A lovely retreat

The Quaint Lakeside Cabin was perfect for my two kids and I. We had a wonderful time exploring the area (caverns, Zoom Flume, hiking), getting back to nature with nightly campfires, and slept well in the peace of the forest. Rachel and Brian were excellent hosts.

Erin M.recommends

August 2, 2022

Quaint Lakeside Nature Cabin

Our family loved camping on Rachel’s serene property. The cabin was calm and cozy and the views of the lake were a beautiful way to start and end the day. The directions were clear and our hosts were great communicators and always there to provide fresh water and tell us about the area. We highly recommend their beautiful property.

Alex M.recommends

June 20, 2022

Sacred Hollow Glampsite

This place is MUCH bigger than US

We stayed here three magestic nights… there is so much to see and do, or to choose to do absolutely nothing and just stare in any and all directions in order to ground oneself or offer gratitude to the thing that brought you here in the first place. Rachel and Brian and their sweet animal farm of happy-go-lucky creatures are the most welcoming piece of all. I highly recommend this spot for the mission behind what they are doing and in order to support them in honoring the land (if you don’t know what they’re doing please ask so you can further the endeavor even after you’ve gone), but also because of the care and effort they put into the many different travelers to provide a perfect stay. We couldn’t have been better cared for here, all of the amenities were thought of, and we never once felt like we were occupying someone else’s property. The campsite is so private and has its own little pond to admire and swim in. I can’t say enough about it and I hope more people can go and appreciate all that is there to learn and grow from. Thank you Rachel Brian and farm family!

Melissa K.recommends

August 31, 2021

Sacred Hollow Glampsite

Beautiful Location

Sacred Hallow is a beautiful isolated location. Rachel was super helpful and quick with all her responses and her husband Brian met us when we arrived and checked in each day to ensure we had everything we needed. All in all a wonderful experience in a peaceful and relaxing location

Lori K.recommends

July 18, 2021

Quaint Lakeside Nature Cabin

Lovely lakeside rustic cabin

We had a lovely stay at the cabin! Brian and Rachel were wonderful hosts. They were very responsive to our needs and yet gave us plenty of privacy. The cabin is beautiful and just as described. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will definitely consider coming back again.

Isabel S.recommends

June 28, 2021

Quaint Lakeside Nature Cabin

I had the absolute best stay with Rachel and Brian! Not only is the property beautiful, the cabin comfortable and cozy, but they are truly the best hosts I've ever had. My car was kind of on its last legs when I arrived and Brian went above and beyond to get it working again, was super informative and helpful. I highly recommend staying here!

Location

Rensselaerville, Albany, New York, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Mohican and Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking