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Upper Esopus Creekside Camp

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· Big Indian, Ulster, New York
100 acres hosted by Pierre L.
1 tent site
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Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
pierre 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.
**IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR WINTER CAMPERS: If there is enough snow to make the camp road impassable by car, park at our house driveway where a cleared path will allow you to access the camp on foot, with toboggan/sled for your gear, about 150 yards away.** Camp on the Esopus Creek in the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley surrounded by seven 3500' Catskill High Peaks including Slide Mountain, the tallest in the Catskills. Our PRIVATE camp (no other campers) is situated on 100 acres of land in the middle of the Catskill State Park. We are the closest HipCamp site to Slide Mountain, the Catskills tallest peak at 4180 feet. A perfect base camp for some of the best hiking in the Catskills, the site is bordered by Forever Wild Forest and is minutes from the trailheads to Balsam, Giant Ledge, Panther, Big Indian, Slide Mountain and dozens more peaks within 30 minutes or so away. Our drive up camp has a 4-6 person prospector type tent, a 10X12 covered tent platform, several individual tent sites with private fire rings, as well as a bunkhouse and a leanto for day use. The camp table and cook pit are covered from the elements. The main tent includes a wood burning stove, folding card table and seating for 4 and bunk bed with 4" thick self-inflating Therm-a-rest MondoKing 3D XXL Queen sized insulated mats for luxurious comfort. Open Network WiFi (no UN/PW needed) is available in front of hosts house a short woods walk away. Seasoned bundled 16" firewood is available by honor box cash payment on Brown rd across the camp entry road. Rules: 'Almost' anything goes. Learn about 'pack-in pack-out/leave no trace camping' and the 'leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures' motto. Due to local laws, no music or noise louder than 60 decibels is allowed which is about as loud as conversation with 20 people in a restaurant, an office of 20 people speaking or being on the phone, background music typically heard in restaurants and public spaces, an air conditioning unit at 100 feet. Our site is to be best enjoyed for the sounds that do exist naturally, the many birds singing their song, the babbling Esopus Creek, the rustling leaves on the trees. Ask questions, I will always answer anything about camping and am thrilled to share my knowledge.**IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR WINTER CAMPERS: If there is enough snow to make the camp road impassable by car, park at our house driveway where a cleared path will allow you to access the camp on foot, with toboggan/sled for your gear, about 150 yards away.** Camp on the Esopus Creek in the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley surrounded by seven 3500' Catskill High Peaks including Slide Mountain, the tallest in the Catskills. Our PRIVATE camp (no other campers) is situated on 100 acres of land in the middle of the Catskill State Park. We are the closest HipCamp site to Slide Mountain, the Catskills tallest peak at 4180 feet. A perfect base camp for some of the best hiking in the Catskills, the site is bordered by Forever Wild Forest and is minutes from the trailheads to Balsam, Giant Ledge, Panther, Big Indian, Slide Mountain and dozens more peaks within 30 minutes or so away. You can walk to a swimming hole on a winding path through a wildflower meadow blazed with rock cairns along a half mile of private waterfront.   Try your luck at catching some wild Brook Trout on the world famous Esopus Creek! Our drive up camp has a 4-6 person prospector type tent, a 10X12 covered tent platform, several individual tent sites with private fire rings, as well as a bunkhouse and a leanto for day use. The camp table and cook pit are covered from the elements. The main tent includes a wood burning stove, folding card table and seating for 4 and bunk bed with 4" thick self-inflating Therm-a-rest MondoKing 3D XXL Queen sized insulated mats for comfort. WiFi is available in front of the hosts house a short woods walk away. Seasoned bundled 16" firewood is available by honor box cash payment on Brown rd adjacent to the camp entry road. Rules: 'Almost' anything goes.  Learn about 'pack-in pack-out/leave no trace camping' and the 'leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures' motto.  Due to local laws, no music or noise louder than 60 decibels is allowed which is about as loud as conversation with 20 people in a restaurant, an office of 20 people speaking or being on the phone, background music typically heard in restaurants and public spaces, an air conditioning unit at 100 feet.  -I have 4 comfortable 2" thick Therm-a-rest Camprest foam and air mattresses for $8.00 each.
Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Natural features
Forest
River, stream, or creek
Swimming hole
Mountainous
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143 ratings · 117 reviews
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Michael C.recommends
January 26, 2025
Upper Esopus Creekside Camp
Pierre was a great host. Welcomed us and let us know where everything was. Told us the background on the property. Site was as described and had plenty of amenities. Great cover by the kitchen to cook and hang out. Property is very large and plenty of space to roam. As well as large areas to set up multiple tents. Will come back again to experience the river when it's not in the single digits.
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Da K.recommends
December 6, 2024
Upper Esopus Creekside Camp
This campground is a gem! The host were incredibly friendly and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. They provided helpful tips about the area, including the best hiking trails and local attractions. The campsite was clean and well-maintained, and the attention to detail was evident. We’ll definitely be coming back.
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Cameron H.recommends
November 19, 2024
Upper Esopus Creekside Camp
Absolutely awesome spot. The prospector tent with wood stove is delightfully cozy. And Pierre (& his cats) are great!
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Ryan C.recommends
November 4, 2024
Upper Esopus Creekside Camp
Great campsite experience! Pierre is a seasoned host with a beautiful piece of property. Directions were clear, Pierre was perfectly helpful, available but not bothersome, and the site is huge! Outside the main camp and fire pit, there are multiple tent spots, a bunk house and a lean-to. I hope to come back again soon!
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David S.recommends
October 26, 2024
Upper Esopus Creekside Camp
I loved this place! 5 days, 9 kids, and 1 wonderful weekend at Pierre's place. We're going for three years in a row in 2025...
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Paul P.recommends
October 9, 2024
Upper Esopus Creekside Camp
Memorable trip
Beautiful surroundings.. The children spent hours exploring and playing in the water ..
Location
Big Indian, Ulster, New York, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Mohican, Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee), 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 Pierre L.

Joined in May 2019

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