Moonrise Forest Camp

96%

47 reviews

· Petersburg, Rensselaer, New York · 10 acres

Hosted by Andrew & Victoria L.

Cabin

· 4 guests max

Staff verified

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

Off-lead friendly

Pets can be off-lead at this Hipcamp.

All to yourself

100% of recent Hipcampers say the pitch is private.

We have been the caretakers of this land and cabin since 2015, when we bought it from the builder of the modest cabin on-site, Steve. It is our family camp, but we love to share it with friends and fellow nature-loving campers. The land is partially wooded, and partially 'old field' that is slowly re-foresting through natural succession with some intentional interruption in order to introduce edible native trees and shrubs that are not naturally present. In this way the land is a slowly developing food forest and also a nursery for its plant-loving stewards. Learn more about this land: Escape the city and find yourself in this off-grid hillside cabin with a deck overlooking the Taconic mountain range. Wander through field and forest, and cool off in the nearby stream. The cabin has two rooms, and there is a kids playground and tire swing making this an appropriate family camping getaway. There is a solar panel providing indoor lights and phone charging capabilities, a fire pit with a grill, and a simple array of pots, dishes, and utensils. There is a spring-fed 55 gallon reservoir of potable water that will slowly refill as well. Though not far off the road, there is very little car traffic, and the surroundings are very peaceful. The din of the running stream is a constant, while the sounds of coyotes and owls can be heard at night. As the name indicates, the east-facing hillside is often witness to incredible moonrises, and the stars are always bright. Nearby Attractions: The Beer Diviner small-scale brewery and taproom is a stone's throw away from the parking area with a selection of tasty beer and some food options available. In addition to regular hours, there are special summer events, and live music every Saturday night. Cherry Plain State Park is a 'less-traveled' state park and campground just 3.5 miles up the road, offering lake swimming, boating, hiking and mountain bike trails. Other nearby outdoor attractions include: Williamstown MA, The Taconic Crest Trail, Jiminy Peak Resort, Hancock Shaker Village, and Mt. Greylock. PLEASE NOTE: CAMP OPENS MAY 31, 2019 & CLOSES NOV. 1, 2019Escape the city and find yourself in this off-grid hillside cabin with a deck overlooking the Taconic mountain range. Wander through field and forest, and cool off in the nearby stream. The cabin has two rooms, and there is a kids playground and tire swing making this an appropriate family camping getaway. There is a solar panel providing indoor lights and phone charging capabilities, a fire pit with a grill, and a simple array of pots, dishes, and utensils. There is a spring-fed 15 gallon reservoir of potable water that will slowly refill as well. Though not far off the road, there is very little car traffic, and the surroundings are very peaceful. The din of the running stream is a constant, while the sounds of coyotes and owls can be heard at night. As the name indicates, the east-facing hillside is often witness to incredible moonrises, and the stars are always bright. Nearby Attractions: The Beer Diviner small-scale brewery and taproom is a stone's throw away from the parking area with a selection of tasty beer and some food options available. In addition to regular hours, there are special summer events, and live music every Saturday night. Cherry Plain State Park is a 'less-traveled' state park and campground just 3.5 miles up the road, offering lake swimming, boating, hiking and mountain bike trails. Other nearby outdoor attractions include: Williamstown MA, The Taconic Crest Trail, Jiminy Peak Resort, Hancock Shaker Village, and Mt. Greylock. PLEASE NOTE: CAMP OPENS MAY 31, 2019 & CLOSES NOV. 1, 2019

What to expect

Cabin

You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.

4 guests max

Campfires allowed

Firewood provided, firepit, communal. There is a fire pit near the cabin deck. Firewood is provided and should be shared with any other campers present at other sites. The cabin firepit is central and considered communal. There are grates for cooking and pots and pans are available. Please extinguish all fires before leaving the premises. There are buckets for carrying stream water (also handy for washing dishes).

Toilet available

Composting toilet. There is a composting toilet with sawdust or woodchips provided. Folks are encouraged to pee in the woods but there is a specific toilet with crude drainage for those requiring/preferring a seat. Specific instructions are provided on site. Please mind the instructions for the composting toilet, specifically please do NOT put woodchips or toilet paper in the 'pee side'. TP is OK in the 'poo side'.

Pets allowed

Off leash. Please curb any pet by-products left in the immediate vicinity of the cabin or other campsites. Other than that.... It's the woods. You know your dog. There are coyotes. Be smart.

Potable water available

Bottled water or jugs. There is a spring-fed 15 gallon reservoir of potable water that will slowly refill. If you use up all the water, it WILL refill, but the spring is very low flow, so it will take overnight.

Cooking equipment present

Grill over firepit

Picnic table present

No showers

Bathe in river or stream. There is a small bathing hole in the stream shown on the camp map.

Pack it out

Carry in, carry out please.

No wifi

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 2:00 PM

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

On arrival: Head straight to site

Cancellation policy: Flexible

Minimum nights: 4 nights

Accepts bookings: 6 months out

Short walk

No wheelchair access

Max 4 vehicles

4WD recommended

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

96% Recommend65 ratings · 47 reviews

The Dacha offers a unique camping experience combining rustic charm with comfortable amenities. Many campers appreciated the cozy wood-burning stove for chilly evenings and the engaging outdoor kitchen setup. While most visitors found the atmosphere magical and the surrounding area worth exploring, some noted concerns with safety features like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. The nearby Beer Diviner adds a social element, with its friendly hosts and tasty offerings providing a pleasant diversion.

Summary AI-generated from real reviews

Stewart B.

8 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2024

Whimsical cabin w/ all the Vibes!

With pets

The Dacha is a beautiful, cozy space with tons of charm and all the tools you need to enjoy and be comfortable. It is primitive and the propane stove was finicky. But the wood burning stove worked great on a cold October weekend and kept us warm and cozy on our one rainy day. The surrounding area must be explored! It’s just so beautiful! The Beer Diviner at the bottom of the driveway is a must visit! The owners are spectacular and the characters that you’ll find there are so kind, interesting and welcoming. I will be back just to visit them again!

Alana R.

2 reviews

Recommends

· June 2023

Fantastic, magical experience!

Group trip

This was our second time at The Dacha and it’s as magical as ever. This is a sacred space that brings so much joy to our family.

Adriana R.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2022

Escaped the NYC noise!

With pets

We loved the Dacha for the 4 nights we were there. We took our Doxie pup and enjoyed making a fire and grilling our dinner, along with making a fire inside with the wood oven when it got rainy and cold. Having the outdoor kitchen was so nice to be present with nature while cooking. The outdoor shower and pipes for the outdoor sink made it all the much easier as well. All in all, we loved the secludedness of the Dacha and how much it makes you take in all the nature around you. 10/10. We'd love to come back next season!

Ariana B.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2022

With pets

I stayed at the Dacha for 5 nights. It’s a cute little cabin with outhouse and outdoor shower, I stayed in the summer. Great for an elevated camping experience. Fire pit and small stove were great too. Great location near several state parks with ponds and some swimming holes a short drive away. Dog friendly is a plus for doggos!

Mike C.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2021

Group trip

Perfect place! Everything was clean and exactly as pictured/described. The pizza from Beer Diviner is legit. Can’t wait to go back!!

Kimberly M.

5 years on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· October 2019

Cute stay, but a few concerns

Group trip

I feel like our stay at the Dacha was at the end of the season, like it's heyday had already passed for the year. There were lanterns, but with dead batteries, and candles galore, but broken or too low to light. The biggest reason I rated this low though is because of safety. It's late October, so we used the wood stove to keep warm. My husband grew up in a house with a wood stove so we know how to use them. However, we also know they are a big safety concern. The smoke detector didnt work, and we werent sure if there was a carbon monoxide detector. The fire extinguisher was pretty high up, and full of cobwebs. Couldnt tell for sure if it was still charged. Also on the safety rules it said to keep anything flammable 3ft away from the stove, yet the bed, chair and blankets were all less than a foot away when we arrived. Just made me wonder how big of a priority safety was. Site itself looked like it needed some upkeep, and from other pictures on reviews I gather it was better kept over the summer. Host rating low just because I never heard from them. We loved the Beer Diviner next door, and still enjoyed ourselves at the Dacha. The safety though really made me paranoid during our stay.

Location

Petersburg, Rensselaer, New York, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Mohican and Schaghticoke First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

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