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Round Top Retreat

92%
·
· Richford, Tioga, New York
101 acres hosted by Nancy L.
1 lodging site
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Romantic
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.
All to yourself
100% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.
Close to Ithaca, NY, Cayuga Lake, and Cornell University. Once a snowshoe lodge, then a Boy Scout camp, this rustic cabin retreat property is surrounded by the Robinson Hollow State Forest. The 100 year old cabin sits only a few hundred yards from the Sierra Club section of the Finger Lakes Trail. The area is a peaceful spot for hiking, camping and snowshoeing or cross country skiing (October 1 bow season deer hunting begins, and mid-November to December is NYS gun deer season-which may not be as serene as you'd like). Perfect get-away for humans and their four-legged friends, it's a dog's dream vacation spot. Enjoy a week or weekend, or your vacation in a place where the "noise" is the melodious sounds of nature. It is remote enough to completely break from urban life, yet close enough to Ithaca, NY to enjoy its beauty and attractions. Amenities: outhouse, hand water pump, two-seater outhouse, propane grill, some pots and pans, grill utensils, wood stoves, private, gated entrance, pond, trails. Sleeping loft, no bed (you provide mattress/sleeping bag, etc.). There may be candles, toilet paper, bug spray (if left by previous guests). We are an LGBTQ-woman owned property, and welcome all campers regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, political views, religion, or culture of origin. Learn more about this land: A wonderful rustic, private, off-grid get-away, perfect for couples, families, and pups who enjoy camping (log cabin with wood furniture available, you may pitch your tent anywhere on the property - leave no trace).  You may see some wildlife throughout the property (including a milk snake that lives in the cabin wall, but is harmless). It is a quiet, rural, farming area. Once at the cabin there are only two to three houses within a half mile (through the woods), so you will have a private space all your own. Winter camping is special - cozy wood heated cabin, hundreds of acres for snow shoeing, cross country skiing, or snowmobiling. Plan ahead, we do not plow the driveway in winter; plan to shovel an off-road parking space, and transport your gear up to the cabin (1100'). Wood is provided. Onsite: water pump, 2-seat outhouse, wood stove, campfire ring, wood, & propane grill. Exclusive access for nature hikes, streams, forest, pond, swimming, bird watching, star gazing, etc. A wheelchair that can navigate grass and some ruts can enter the cabin, but not the outhouse, and the sleeping loft is up stairs (there is room for a cot or mattress on the first floor); the porch is accessible through the cabin. When you book, you are confirming your understanding of the following: there is no electricity, running water, or std. bed/mattresses. You bring own air mattress, bedding, and gear you will need. All-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. We welcome special events, family reunions, or weddings, if your plans do not require utilities (you may bring a generator or other battery operated items, as needed). Note for winter guests: We do not plow the driveway in winter, you need to be ready to shovel an off-road parking spot, and transport gear to cabin (e.g. by sled, snowshoes) Here's a brief list of the basics to bring: Light source: Lantern propane or battery. Air mattress or cot and whatever bedding you need. Paper products (cups, plates, utensils, toilet paper, etc.) Matches/fire starter (there is wood on-site, and a propane grill for cooking that has a self-starter). Bug spray. Cooler and ice. Lawn chairs.  There are a few tables, several chairs and benches. There are 2 picnic tables (one outside and one inside). The benches can be moved outside if you'd like, just move them back inside before you leave. The propane grill should only be used outside. There is a hand axe in the cabin to shave kindling, and the wood is already split to be the length for the wood stove, as needed. Gas: 5 miles away. If you plan to grocery shop when you get to the area, the closest store is at East Hill Plaza in Ithaca, about 9 miles past where the cabin is (I can give you all that info if you like). There is lots to explore/see/do in the Ithaca area if you decide to come down off the hill one of the days. I'll have some brochures and things in the cabin, and can answer questions (aka where is the best ice cream, dinner, etc.).A wonderful rustic, private, off-grid get-away, perfect for couples, families, and pups who enjoy camping (log cabin with wood furniture available, you may pitch your tent anywhere on the property - leave no trace).  It is a quiet, rural, farming area. Once at the cabin there are only two to three houses within a half mile (through the woods), so you will have a private space all your own. Winter camping is special - cozy wood heated cabin, hundreds of acres for snow shoeing, cross country skiing, or snowmobiling. Plan ahead, we do not plow the driveway in winter; plan to shovel an off-road parking space, and transport your gear up to the cabin (1100'). Wood is provided. Onsite: water pump, 2-seat outhouse, wood stove, campfire ring, wood, & propane grill. Exclusive access for nature hikes, streams, forest, pond, swimming, bird watching, star gazing, etc. A wheelchair that can navigate grass can enter the cabin, but not the outhouse, and the sleeping loft is up stairs (there is room for a cot or mattress on the first floor); the porch is accessible through the cabin. When you book, you are confirming your understanding of the following: there is no electricity, running water, or std. bed/mattresses. You bring own air mattress, bedding, and gear you will need. All-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. We welcome special events, family reunions, or weddings, if your plans do not require utilities (you may bring a generator or other battery operated items, as needed). Note for winter guests: We do not plow the driveway in winter, you need to be ready to shovel an off-road parking spot, and transport gear to cabin (e.g. by sled, snowshoes) Here's a brief list of the basics to bring: Light source: Lantern propane or battery. Air mattress or cot and whatever bedding you need. Paper products (cups, plates, utensils, toilet paper, etc.) Matches/fire starter (there is wood on-site, and a propane grill for cooking that has a self-starter). Bug spray. Cooler and ice. Lawn chairs.  There are a few tables, several chairs and benches. There are 2 picnic tables (one outside and one inside). The benches can be moved outside if you'd like, just move them back inside before you leave. The propane grill should only be used outside. There is a hand axe in the cabin to shave kindling, and the wood is already split to be the length for the wood stove, as needed. Gas: 5 miles away. If you plan to grocery shop when you get to the area, the closest store is at East Hill Plaza in Ithaca, about 9 miles past where the cabin is (I can give you all that info if you like). There is lots to explore/see/do in the Ithaca area if you decide to come down off the hill one of the days. I'll have some brochures and things in the cabin, and can answer questions (aka where is the best ice cream, dinner, etc.).
Activities
Biking
Boating
Hiking
Horseback riding
Natural features
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or creek
Swimming hole
92%
38 ratings · 32 reviews
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Mike D.recommends
September 10, 2024
Round Top Retreat, rustic cabin
Our son and pups had a great time! Nice little getaway.
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Paul R.recommends
April 9, 2024
Round Top Retreat, rustic cabin
Great cabin, so big, surrounded by beautiful forested land. Really nice that firewood was there for us to use in the fire pit and the indoor stove. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a real camping experience with just a bit of extra shelter.
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Miguel D G.recommends
March 10, 2024
Round Top Retreat, rustic cabin
A rustic yet cozy cabin
We came out here expecting a cozy little cabin away from the city and that's exactly what we got. Host was excellent. Gave us clear directions on how to get there and what we should look out for. The cabin itself was very nice. Kept us nice and warm during the rain/light snowfall we had. My friends were a bit put off by having to use an outhouse and some of the deer decore that was in the cabin, but they managed to survive. I think this is a great place as long as you know what to expect and come prepared. Thanks again for hosting us!
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Rhia J.recommends
October 15, 2023
Round Top Retreat, rustic cabin
Lovely, rustic cabin
This was a fantastic spot for myself, my fiancé, and a group of friends! The wood burning stove inside kept the cabin perfectly roast and cozy, despite the rainy weather. The land was gorgeous, and the property is perfectly private, tucked away in the woods. There was an amazing amount of wood for cooking and heating, and we enjoyed splitting some for kindling! Nancy was very responsive and helpful, and we didn’t have trouble finding the spot or getting set up. If you want a cabin stay that’s on the wonderful, rustic side rather than the glamping side, I absolutely recommend this spot!!
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Amanda P.
September 12, 2023
Round Top Retreat, rustic cabin
Overall this was a wonderful getaway. We visited in late August. The privacy, views, and the nearby attractions. Our dog had a blast. Nancy allows ATVs! 😊 The cabin was as described. The skylights offer plenty of light during the day and early evening. Some areas could use some TLC. There were spider webs and nests under the chairs and tables. I was hanging string lights and getting webs in my hair. There was a broom available, so we did some extra cleaning. (I didn't mind. That's rural life) However i'd recommend, if paying a cleaning fee, that they do a deep clean once in a while. Some webs were black from stove soot(most likely there since winter). There's plenty of table space and ledges on the windows for your belongings. The large round table has a broken leg and is leaning on one of the wall. (Be careful not to put too much weight on that) The floor is concrete but clean. There's also a locking cabinet to keep mice away from food. There's 2 sets of sliding doors and all of the windows open for plenty of breeze. (The screens are torn in spots) The grass was freshly mowed. Lots of firewood and a fire pit with a sturdy grate. The grill on the back porch had plenty of gas. (Some broken railings around) The only major issue were the snakes. They are living in the walls as Nancy described. Not only milk snakes though. I'm assuming it was the time of year for the amount we saw. Maybe we will try a winter visit instead 😊
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Emily T.
September 3, 2023
Round Top Retreat, rustic cabin
Off-grid Adventure
Nancy was kind & communicative, both before our adventure and during :) The site is off-grid and rustic as described. Broken (patched) window downstairs, and broken spindles on the staircase and loft railings gave us pause. Nancy's directions were excellent: we'd recommend reading them THOROUGHLY, and arriving before dark. We had been to an escape room (lots of puzzles & clues & locks) for a birthday celebration. After dinner, we drive up to the camp around 9:30pm--we miss the driveway at first as Nancy had kindly warned, but her instructions put us right back on track. Park to unlock the gate... a ghost girl (6yo?) appears on the boulder in front of house across the street, wrapped in a blanket, watching us silently. We wave, no response, and continue to work on gate lock. Lock wasn't working! Ghost girl moves to our driveway! Checked Nancy's instructions: we were trying the wrong lock! Correct lock already mysteriously open, but happy to expedite escape from ghost girl. Up the long, dark, forested driveway, 3 girls start freaking out. Get to camp, pitch dark with headlights illuminating creepy water pump and broken window. Get to door with next combo lock code in my head already... but it's a key padlock?! Check Nancy's notes again: oh! THE KEY IS LOCATED ON THE BACK WALL OF THE OUTHOUSE?!?! No way! Fine, we all go together. Lock box won't work. Message Nancy: "look for key rock." No key rock anywhere. Nancy came at 10:15pm and saved us! Slept well :) Good story!
Location
Richford, Tioga, New York, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Onundagaonoga (Onondaga) 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
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Hosted by Nancy L.

Joined in June 2018
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 2 hours
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