Monarch Meadows

100%

13 reviews

· Kerhonkson, Ulster, New York · 17 acres

Hosted by Judith A K.

Canvas tent

· 8 guests max · 3 beds · 1 toilet

Staff verified

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

Judith A is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Off-leash friendly

Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.

All to yourself

100% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.

This 17-acre site has diverse habitats, from an upland pine and hardwood forest to wild native meadows full of blueberries, asters and milkweed. The most special feature is a large tributary and creek waterway system with areas of wetland. Once choked with invasive plants, it is now a largely restored native plant and wildlife habitat that supports migrating herons, trout, amphibians and clouds of Monarch and other butterflies. In the fall I've seen Monarchs circle up in vortexes from the meadows and take off on their migration. There are several large swimming holes where the creek turns or joins with its tributary. Bridges have been installed over the tributary and over brooklets feeding into it. A lot of care and love is going into this land. Over 500 native trees planted along the creek banks are growing into a forest - you'll see many still in protective tubes and cages. Thousands of native pollinator ground-plants have been planted or sprung up on their own, some like tiny flowering gems on the shady forest floors. The old stone walls running through the property and around its boundaries speak to its history as a farm and an apple orchard. Swimming, hiking, fishing and bird-and-wildlife watching will fascinate you in this dynamic landscape that is constantly coming closer to what used to exist hundreds of years ago and is now reestablishing itself. In the vicinity, there's Tetta's, a deli/cafe/gas station and small emporium with made-to-order pizza, local raw honey, mushroom, crafts, and all kinds of food, pretty much everything you need; it's been in the family for generations. Find it Northeast on Samsonville Road (County Rt. 3) at the junctions of Rts. 2 & 3. There's a hike to a waterfall if you drive a few miles down Upper Cherrytown Road from the end of Sundown Road: you'll see a parking lot with signs for the falls; the DEC-maintained trail is across the road (https://www.catskillmountaineer.com/SD-vernooy-falls-east.html). There's venues nearby along Rt. 209 with local musicians on Saturday nights: places like The Outpost Barbeque, 6611 Rt. 209 in Kerhonkson, Lydia's Cafe at 7 Old US Hwy 209, Stone Ridge. Near Lydia's is a favorite afternoon hang-out, Cherries Roadside and General, which not only has literally hundreds of ice cream flavors, but an excellent, informal restaurant. I can talk to you about many other fun places.This is a 17-acre property with different habitats on it - creeks, woods, wetlands and meadows. Home base is a huge, cream-colored canvas tent in a witch hazel grove in the midst of a woods. The tent has screened windows and doors and a spacious white tarp over it for extra rain and weather protection. The tarp extends over the back of the tent. The inside is light and airy. It also has a sheltered front porch. Inside is a double bed with an extra mattress under it, in a zip-tarp, and a daybed that pulls out into a twin-size bed. The tent will easily hold 4-5 people, 6 with a little arranging. Access to the site is down a grassy driveway, then a short dirt road through the woods. There is room for several cars at the end of the driveway and also at the campsite. A classic wood-shingle outhouse with a composting toilet (with a half-moon on the door), and firepit are on-site and a small stack of firewood. I have an outdoor, private hot-water shower/sink/mirror set up behind my house - a minute's drive around the corner from the campsite. You can take drinking water from the sink or, if you bring a Brita filter-system dispenser, directly from the creek, which has a Class A drinking water classification. Continuing down the dirt road from the tent - a 2 minute walk - you will shortly come to a meadow and a large tributary creek, called the Red Brook, named after the color of the leaves of a nearby grove of sugar maples which fall into it in the autumn. The entire property is being restored as a native plant and wildlife habitat. You will see many protected new trees and marked native pollinator plants along the creek and in the meadow. You can follow the Red Brook to where it joins the much larger Mettacahonts Creek, where you'll find a wide swimming hole, about 4' deep, or cross over a bridge into another meadow, or meander into the grassy borders of the Mettacahonts Creek. There are further woodlands, wetlands and swimming holes to explore. It is a native plant and bird sanctuary. The site is level, only the west side pine forest rises slightly above the bed of the Mettacahonts. Boundaries are clearly marked. Off-site, if you wish to see the local waterfall, the Vernooy Falls, you can drive up past my house to where Sundown Road, Upper Cherrytown and Trails End Road all meet, and take a left onto Upper Cherrytown. 1.1 miles down, on the left, is a parking lot across from the trail up to the falls. It's a gorgeous, slightly uphill hike. For any shopping, dining and amenities, you're near Stone Ridge, which has great dining, antiquing, and small-town charm. Or you can go to Ellenville, which has a theater. a crystal and antiques shops and many new restaurants. If you're coming up from the south, your GPS will probably guide you to go up Samsonville Road. Be aware that past the turnoff on the left for Cherrytown Road, Samsonville is temporarily closed while a bridge is being repaired. Instead, turn left onto Cherrytown (just past Clay Hill Road) and follow it until you reach Upper Cherrytown - you'll make a sharp left to get onto it. Follow it all the way to the junction of Trails End, Upper Cherrytown and Sundown Road. Turn right onto Sundown Road, follow it until it meets Palentown Road, which comes in at a fork on the left. Make a hard right to stay on Sundown and look for the lopped-off telephone-pole on the left that marks the driveway into the campsite.

What to expect

Canvas tent

You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.

8 guests max

Campfires allowed

Firepit. About 30' in front of the tent. Supply of firewood under plastic wrap nearby.

Toilet available

Composting toilet

Pets allowed

Off leash. Please pick up after your dogs, you can use the composting toilet. They will love to romp in the meadows and woods, but do not allow them to harm any wildlife they find - otherwise please keep them on-leash.

Potable water available

Spigot, tap. I offer an enclosed, private outdoor shower behind my house, which is about a 1-minute drive around the corner. There's a sink where you can fill up on water. Or, if you have a filter (such as a Brita) you can take water from the creek, which is classified as potable drinking water.

Showers available

Hot water , cold water only. I have installed an outdoor shower behind my house. Continue up Sundown Road and turn left at the T; my home is # 213. Go down the short path between the garage and house, and you'll see the outdoor shower. The space also has a sink and mirror. You have privacy in it, just loop the curtain over the hook to completely close the interior from view.

Bins available

Trash bin. There's a small metal trash bin with a lid and plastic-bag liner in the tent, only for being able to put trash in one place. Please take the bag with you when you leave. Thanks!

Picnic table present

8' long, next to the tent. It has a large oak cutting board on it and a smaller oak trivet for hot food.

Laundry present

For longer stays (2 or more nights), you are welcome to use the washer-drier in my basement.

Cooking equipment absent

No wifi

Hot Tub absent

No playground

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 2:00 PM

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

On arrival: Meet with Host

Cancellation policy: Flexible

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 12 months out

Park at listing

No wheelchair access

Max 2 vehicles

2WD accessible

During your trip

Follow the

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

Reviews

100% Recommend15 ratings · 13 reviews

Maria H.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2024

Beautiful property

With pets

Judith was an excellent host. She has a beautiful property. She tried to accommodate us in everyway possible. My daughter couldn't reach me because of lack of cell service so she called Judith and Judith came to the camping site to deliver the message.

Gabrielle D.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2024

We had a great time at Judith’s site. The tent was comfortable and sturdy with a picnic table, fire pit and composting toilet onsite. Judith was a super thoughtful host and made sure we had everything we needed for a lovely stay. With extra blankets she provided, we were fine in the tent on chilly fall nights. I hope to come back when the weather warms again!

Michael M.

4 reviews

Recommends

· October 2024

Group trip

I loved the space provided! The back road to get there can be a little rough if you've got a lower car, but once you get into the area it really is such a wonderful secluded space. Wood was provided, and everything was so clean and tidy! Would absolutely recommend and stay again!

Freida S.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2024

The tent was beautiful, a great size, and very comfortable. Judith was helpful and communicative the whole time. Her woods are gorgeous and even on a chilly October night we were totally warm in the tent! Would love to come back.

Steve P.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2024

This was an awesome tent site tucked back away from everything. Site was nice and clean had all the things you would want for a nice weekend. with the near by reservoir, the views 🤯

Seok Won Y.

3 reviews

Recommends

· October 2024

With kids

Beautiful property and had a wonderful time with my boys - proper camping experience with 17 acres of beautifully maintained wilderness. Judith was attentive and helpful throughout my stay.

Location

Kerhonkson, Ulster, New York, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Mohican and Munsee Lenape First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking