30mi from Erie · 21 sites · Tents, RVs · Meadville, PANederlandia is the name of the overall parcel of land in which the main center camp, Camp Snot Otter (see our other listing under this name) is located. Nederlandia has 4 designated campsites or campers can create new campsites with direction from the owner. We provide the basic flat set up for tents and a fire pit.
The land is an elongated forested strip between deep woods and a wide open field so it is very appealing to a variety of wildlife. The land has trails, wetlands, small creeks, beautiful trees, and plenty of shade on the hot Summer days while having access to a wide open field for stargazing at night. There is a nice central camp with a makeshift nature center, a large fire pit, cooking supplies and often live music.. Nearby attractions include the Erie National Wildlife Refuge, The French Creek Conservancy, Allegheny College, Woodcock Creek Nature Center, the Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Conneaut Lake, Hiking, horseback riding and kayaking within 10 minutes, and the super fun Venango General Store nearby. Kayaking packages are available for a 12 mile day trip. The camp is also close to a grocery store, a hardware store, an ice cream shop, and a couple rural restaurants. Campers may be allowed to gather their own dry deadfall for firewood, but good oak and cherry cooking wood will be available to purchase at center camp. With a bit of guidance from the staff, some campers may be permitted to blaze their own inroads into the woods and create their own camp legacy.
Center camp is the central hub for everything you need. We have an information board with maps, current updates and info on goings on. We also have menus for pizza and local restaurants that will actually deliver to the land.. We always have coffee going in the morning and a luxury setting for a truly natural morning constitution (as long as you help to escort your creation to a staff appointed generally fertilizer deficient disposal designation). Also available for purchase or to barter for at center camp include water, toiletries,, batteries, tools for rent, and some basic cooking ingredients. Ask and we shall try our best to hook you up.
Nederlandia is in the very formation stage of a potential small scale absurd culture festival with roots in Burning Man and The Electric Forest. Campers are encouraged to participate, to create spaces, and leave only works of natural art that may be aesthetically pleasing, but also beneficial to wildlife, at their sites. Wild things in wild places can happen here and many new friends can be made in the process. There is always a core staff person on site, and often a crew of hicks, skids, jocks, spiritual guides, (no degens), and musicians there every day from May to October to provide sharing, transportation, information and other basic necessities and entertainments. In the Winter, we have a very cozy cabin with a fireplace, wood stove, kitchen and generator for extra heat and light.
Nederlandia is committed to wildlife conservation and education. Some of the proceeds from hosting campsites will go towards local conservation initiatives. Campers here can learn about local natural history and be immersed in the wildlife around them. We have incredible frog choruses going throughout the Spring and Summer. Our species count on the land is now somewhere in the 300s including an informal trapping study of insects last year that yielded a great number of cool bugs, but surprisingly few mosquitos. The one thing people have always said about camping here is that the mosquitos are not bad at all. We have a pond with turtles and frogs, tons of salamanders and harmless snakes. We've seen porcupine, mink, flying squirrels, and we still have a decent bat population around here. Birdwatching is a constant new surprise. There is almost always one or more dogs present here, of course. But I must also disclose, there are definitely signs of Sasquatch migrating through the back bush.
Fun is our campsite concept and if we have our druthers, we can start to do themed parties around major dates and holidays, especially a grand Halloween party! We have already planted all the pumpkins for this year.
Looking forward to hanging out with you guys!
