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Hudson Valley River Camp

98%
·
· Watchtower, Ulster, New York
80 acres hosted by Tom C.
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Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Best in New York: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
You've discovered secluded riverfront camping that feels like the middle of nowhere without actually being in the middle of nowhere. Our property offers minimal impact campsites on a bird sanctuary in southeastern Catskills/northwestern Hudson Valley that's less than two hours from New York City. Your camping fee helps protect this beautiful property from development. We're 15 minutes to Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve, 20 minutes to Sam's Point and New Paltz and 12 minutes to Angry Orchard. There's no wi-fi but we have great cell service. The most unique aspect of this property is that it offers easy access to seclusion and privacy. Enjoy the healing effect of quiet in nature without crowds of fellow campers. Hudson Valley River Camp is located on the unique 80-acre Boria Sax Bird Sanctuary just outside of Pine Bush, New York. With only four minimal-impact campsites along the Shawangunk Kill and Dwaar Kill, our goal is for you to escape civilization and pause to enjoy the song of birds, gurgling creeks and wind in the trees. We also offer one wooded car camping/RV style site. Each campsite (except the RV site) is within view of the water and includes a stone fire ring. Along with local firewood from downed trees, split firewood bundles are available at minimal cost. The Wooded RV site has access to water and all hiking trails. The hike to all of the other campsite from the parking area varies depending on which site you choose. We highly recommend simple backpacking. This makes the hike in much more enjoyable and you'll find you need less than you think. A shared trail crosses the smaller Dwaar Kill via a basic bridge or by wading the shallow water. From there you will access your campsite via a private trail. The Shawangunk Kill, a protected tributary of the Wallkill River, is unusually clean and supports a variety of wildlife The entire property is ideal for naturalists or bird watchers who appreciate the earth and share the goal of keeping it pristine for future generations to enjoy. Wildlife found on the property includes white-tailed deer, red foxes, muskrats and mink. Bald eagles nest within view of the property and use the river as a thoroughfare. Depending on the time of year, you could also see bluebirds, downy woodpeckers, cardinals, chickadees, wrens, nuthatches, red-tailed hawks, and merganser ducks. Wood ducks and pileated woodpeckers compete for nesting holes in the American Sycamore trees near the confluence of the two rivers. You're likely not going to run into other people except for a few fellow campers and birdwatchers on the shared trail. You will feel like it is just you and the trees. No motorized vehicles or bicycles are allowed. To keep this land pristine, we strictly abide by the "carry in, carry out" rule. We provide a portable toilet at each campsite with a new biodegradable bag that you take with you when you leave. We also ask that no ax, hatchet, or saw of any kind be used to chop or damage trees. However, small dry sticks can be used to start a fire.
Activities
Hiking
Swimming
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Forest
River, stream, or creek
Swimming hole
Not currently accepting bookings
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    98%
    141 ratings · 111 reviews
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    Chris Y.recommends
    March 1, 2024
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    Tyler D.recommends
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    Julio M.recommends
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    Lauren B.doesn't recommend
    November 6, 2023
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    *WARNING* SITE IS NOT AT ALL AS ADVERTISED AND HOST IS INCREDIBLY RUDE! 3 friends and I (4 people total) booked this site after ALL of us checked the website and site map thoroughly. We called before booking to ask if we could bring our dogs since the site mentioned a no pet policy. The host said the dogs would be allowed in our case, no further info was given, and we proceeded to book. Once we arrived, we realized the site was a bit of a walk. Not usually a problem for us- we've been backpacking/camping all over the country for many years and are very outdoors-seasoned. However, this time we had tons of food with us, 2 large bundles of wood, and lots of sleeping supplies since the temperature was going to dip to 30 degrees at night. Once we began the walk, we realized that not only was it a 20 minute walk through the woods, there was a river that we would need to traverse to get there. The only way across was by walking ONE BY ONE over a SINGLE PLANK OF WOOD. This was physically impossible to do with the bundles of wood that we purchased (from the host himself). In order to get all of our gear across, we would need to make at least 4 trips. We tried calling the host 10 times and did not get a response. We had no choice but to leave and scramble to book something else. 4 hours later (after we were forced to start our 2.5 hour drive home), the host finally called me back, condescendingly laughed at me and refused to refund us.
    Avatar
    Cedar A.recommends
    November 6, 2023
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    Great car camping, with views not unlike a dream in fall. Helpful and responsive host. It's more expensive than area state parks, with less infrastructure (yay!) and more privacy.
    Location
    Watchtower, Ulster, New York, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Mohican and Munsee Lenape First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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    Hosted by Tom C.

    Joined in December 2022
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