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Lexington: Mountain, Creek, Art

92%
·
· West Kill, New York
31 acres
4 sites
4 Tent
Lexington Arts + Science was formerly home to Ensemble Studio Theatre (late 1990s, 2000s); Arts Awareness (1980s and 1990s); Lexington Conservatory Theater (1960s, 1970s); Lexington Center for the Performing Arts (1950s). The land, likely deforested and used as a dairy farm in the late 1800s, was converted around 1880 to a mountain resort for New Yorkers seeking fresh air and an escape from crowded conditions of New York City. This time marked the beginning of railroad era resort architecture, of which the Lexington House overlooking the river and the bridge is a rare surviving example. The farmhouse itself with its configuration of many small rooms and additions harkens back to a time when extended families shared a single home, pre-dating the more modern concept of nuclear families. The property has been the site of countless theater events, performances of every type, weddings, art exhibitions and social gatherings, serves as a backdrop for the 1995 PBS film “The Loss of Nameless Things” and is home to the installation artwork “Schoharie Creek Field Station” by renowned artists J Morgan Puett, Mark Dion and Bob Braine. 2020 featured the installation artwork “Betty Shortbus” by @Lex (spring), the inception of the pop-up Market at Lexington House (summer weekends), and the beginning of our artist-in-residence (artist in resistance?) with the welcoming of a filmmaker (TBA). Our region is known as the mountaintop region of the catskillss, which is why most of the ski areas are concentrated here. The temperatures tend to be consistently 10° cooler then in the city of New York. Catskill Park, established in the mid 20th century protected the region from irresponsible land-use. Our watershed region is carefully monitored by NYC’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) which wields police power and also owns a lot of land nearby, thereby guaranteeing that New York City’s water stays clean. Despite the fact that some of the largest natural gas deposits in the world lie below the Catskills, we are proud that fracking and mining activities are banned. The priceless treasure is right before your eyes, and available to all your senses, in the form of wild country, clean waterways and pristine air. We are honored to steward and share this uniquely beautiful place with you. Please know that by staying with us you are supporting Lexington Arts + Science’s mission of Fostering Creativity, Conservation and Exploration of Nature Through the Arts and Science. We invite you to participate in this ongoing, large scale creative endeavor, more at our website, LexArtSci.com
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Location
West Kill, New York, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Alejandro R.Joined in November 2017
Response rate: 60%Response time: Within 12 hours
92%
55 ratings · 57 reviews
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Sarah J.
September 17, 2022
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
There is a nice plot of the land behind the house to camp on. Most of the grass is on a hill so there's only one spot you can really camp on. We had hoped to hang a hammock but the trees in the surrounding area have too many bushes. Also, you can kind of see people at the yard from the campsite. Overall a nice experience and a great spot if you want to bring a dog but not super private.
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Zeming L.recommends
August 9, 2022
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Having access to the farmhouse while camping was a really nice experience.
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Sydni M.recommends
June 24, 2022
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Lovely stay for camping with pets! Alex was so friendly and answered all our questions.
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Kelsey R.
May 16, 2022
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Beautiful site! Would recommend making sure you fully understand the written directions for accessing the site before you go. It isn’t completely private as use of the field is shared but it is a great spot, great value, and would definitely recommend.
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Clayton R.recommends
January 17, 2022
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Great pice, great spot, enjoyed Alejandro hosting me for some very cold winter camping!
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Tim N.
November 1, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Nice grassy area with a decent view. Pathway was a little muddy from the recent rain
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Rostislav G.
October 4, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Overall a good experience but seems to really depend on the spot you get. There is one flat spot at the top of the hill with a picnic table and fire pit that is superior and was unfortunately already taken when we got there. We set up next to the only other fire pit on the field, which is slightly slanted and caused us to slide down throughout the night. We couldn't find the bathroom or potable water but thankfully we brought our own and were only staying one night. If staying longer, I'd recommend checking that with the host first. Aside from that, it's a beautiful location with amazing views and a short drive to the Catskills trailheads so if you treat this as a primitive campsite, you won't be disappointed.
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Craig H.
September 30, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
The setting was beautiful, especially at the top of the hill. The property appears to have been an inn and resort facility of some type, long since abandoned and overgrown. But for tent camping purposes it was fairly private. The main negative was a lack of communication as to the access to bathroom and water. We learned those amenities were to be had by entering the back door of the old inn, in which a family was living. But we felt uncomfortable doing so, which meant we had to meet those needs by other means. Better communication and clarity about the situation would improve the experience.
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Elizabeth S.recommends
August 1, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Beautiful views and tranquil vibes. The host was helpful and had good communication. We will definitely come back!
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Dale T.recommends
July 5, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
What a great place! So much to do even just right on the property. Beautiful views of the mountains and tons of space to spread out. We’re already planning our next trip back!
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India W.recommends
June 13, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
have the whole field to yourself
Pretty very private spot! Gorgeous well maintained field. Gorgeous green mountains all around. Huge sturdy picnic table and a nice fire area. Saw groundhogs, bunnies and deer. Walk across the bridge and make a left to find an entrance to the river. The water was so fresh and clear to swim in.
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Ted H.recommends
June 7, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Fun and unique
A unique experience—if you love old abandoned farmhouses and stuff especially! Access to Schoharie Creek behind a crazy giant abandoned hotel. Creepy in an awesome way. Like most Hipcamps it was confusing exactly where we were supposed to camp and what was part of the property or not. It was also confusing if there were other campers or not, I saw other cars and heard other people through the woods but I guess there's nothing in particular wrong with that. It always feels a little awkward walking through private property past other people and not knowing if it's other campers, or neighbors, or even the owner (?). Anyway, like I said, a very unique spot, we had fun.
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Albert H.
May 31, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Neat location
Really cool spot to camp. Only there for one night due to horrible weather but would like to try it again without serious rain. I think we would have appreciated a bit more of a formal introduction upon arriving to the site as it was not clear where the shower, bathroom, potable water, or charcoal grill were located. There was a warped grate located near the fire ring but not an functional grill that we could see. That all being said, because we only stayed one night, we didn’t end up having to use those things so it wasn’t a huge issue but it would’ve been nice to meet the host and get a sense for what was available to us during our stay.
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Priscila D.
May 16, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Nice views—The best camping spot is at the top where a table and fire pit is available. If you are looking to be alone and have privacy this might not be the place. The host wasn’t very communicative, didn’t show us around or gave us any tips so you just might find yourself on your own which was okay with us.
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Roger W.recommends
April 27, 2021
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Beautiful view of surrounding mountains near a charming old barn. The barn has a roofed deck where I was able to enjoy my coffee during some rain. There is also a proper bathroom which is very nice!!! I was the only one camping on the property which was nice as the lot is rather small and would not feel very private if there were other campers. All in all a great and comfortable camping spot.
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Shaun M.recommends
December 3, 2020
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Calm & Chill Vibes
Such a beautiful field to camp in. Nice chill vibe and we were able to let our dog off leash around the field. The field has multiple campsites but we were the only ones here during our trip. Indoor bathroom and running water is nice to have too.
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Nick K.recommends
November 9, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
Awesome Location
This was a great spot for a nice little getaway weekend. Close to a lot of hiking, and also very close to towns like Tannersville and Woodstock. I hope to stay here again someday.
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Grace K.recommends
October 24, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
Great stay! Would recommend.
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Olivia H.recommends
October 20, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
Magical!!
The perfect escape for the weekend! The location is great as it’s close to some great trails, secluded but still close to some great towns, and the perfect quiet stillness we needed. Thank you Alejandro for a magical few days and we definitely will be back!
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Thomas M.recommends
October 19, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
We had an amazing time. The site was comfortable, quiet, and a good base from which to access hikes in the area. Would recommend to anyone coming through the Catskills!
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Nick M.recommends
October 18, 2020
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Felt like a fairytale
We quite literally skipped through private meadow to set up our tent in a scenery that rivals the opening to the sound of music. Gorgeous layers of autumn change surround our fairytale esque setup on a brisk autumn night. I felt like I was in a Pinterest board accompanied by pumpkin spice lattés and pumpkin carvings as we awoke to a sunrise and the fiery mountains smoking with adventure. Much needed amenities were nearby and the lovely kaaterskills falls are only a short drive away. Bring your camera to capture every moment you don’t remember and remember every moment til you leave this earth because nothing comes close to the journey and landscapes you will encounter in mid October at this Lexington mountain escape.
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Amy B.recommends
October 18, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
Great views, quiet, cozy, and private site and facilities close enough when you needed it, the bake stand across the street was an awesome bonus!
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Travis M.recommends
October 14, 2020
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
The site was awesome, it had great views and had tons of space to play around with the kids. It’s close to the Ski resort and tons of hiking trails. I will for sure be coming back to this spot in the future
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Jordan L.recommends
September 28, 2020
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
Pleasant Meadow Camping
Very accurate to the description, this campsite is a nice meadow nestled in the foothills of the Catskills. Fun to see the leaves changing all around you! I would suggest that the fire pits are dug out a bit more and bigger rocks added to the sides. It made for some slightly risky fires that needed a watchful eye to upkeep. If it was any drier I wouldn’t have made one.
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Chiara C.recommends
September 23, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
Art haven of my dreams
This place is magic. Everything about our trip was above and beyond our wildest expectations - the tent, the property, the town, and the hosts! Alejandro and his family have created a real-life sanctuary in the mountains. Beyond grateful we got the chance to experience this nature alongside this community!! You get to sleep on the VERY edge of civilization (totally secluded) but feel protected + safe the whole time with the Farmhouse down the hill. We didn’t want to leave, but took a lifetime of inspiration with us! And we’ll be back ASAP <3 THANK YOU ALL! Big love to the LexArtSci family ❤️
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Julia R.recommends
September 21, 2020
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
This site is so lovely-- we slept in a field of wildflowers! Alex and his family are very welcoming, and their dog Mac is adorable. There is a clean bathroom available in the farmhouse, and in warmer weather I would have loved to dip in the river. There is only one large picnic table for the field we were in, and I don't know how many groups are allowed to camp in the field at a time, so it might be worth bringing your own little table if you don't want to share a small space. We also ate delicious baked goods from Diane and her food cart across the street. I hope to return!
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Caroline R.recommends
September 20, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
We had a great time! Thanks for being so welcoming. We especially appreciated an extra blanket for the cold.
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David F.recommends
September 18, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
Peaceful place, unique and rustic.
This is a beautiful and unique site connected to local history. It’s very rustic and in a beautiful site with a very comfortable and spacious tent. I had no trouble sleeping and the host was very welcoming and friendly. There are a couple of houses but no noise whatsoever except for a very slight sound of occasional distant cars on the road. I recommend but just as importantly, I plan on returning again.
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Nigel G.recommends
September 17, 2020
Bell Tent Glamping, Mountain+Creek
A Beautiful & Memorable Weekend
- The Site The camp site was absolutely beautiful. We arrived to a clean, dry, and tidy bell tent in a small, sunny clearing in a field of wildflowers and tall grasses. A pair of folding chairs were already at the site for us, which made sitting around our small campfire pit (about 15-20 feet from the tent) comfortable. In addition to the campfire pit we were provided with a small charcoal grill. Having running water and a proper toilet in the mudroom of the nearby house was great, and though we weren't able to figure out warm water for the indoor shower, we had more fun using the outdoor shower (also with warm water) in our swimsuits. - Nearby The town of Lexington is a quiet and lovely place to walk around, especially around sunrise and sunset. From what we experienced, there wasn't a lot in terms of stores or restaurants in Lexington (just a van across the street selling wonderful baked goods), but we had brought all of our own camping food, so that was fine. There's also a nice swimming hole in the river about 4 minutes' walk from the bell tent. The water was super chilly this time of year, but we still had fun splashing around on the warmer afternoon. We also did some "bushwhacking" by hiking through the field of wildflowers and going straight south into the forest on Rusk Mountain. We made sure to have a working compass and roaming data to access a topographical map, but it proved to be a lovely (albeit steep) exercise, up to a little over 3,200 ft. I recommend bringing a good pair of hiking boots with ankle support and long pants to protect from thorns (there were a lot of wild rosebushes) and to keep warm in the shade. - Hosts Our host Alejandro and the folks living/working at Lexington Arts + Science were friendly, helpful, and accommodating. On arrival they showed us where things were and even provided a nice little printed map of the grounds. We were also invited to join in on a Chekhov reading and a bonfire, which we kindly declined since the point of our trip was to try taking a break from social interaction. Maybe next time, though! - Atmosphere We stayed here in the second week of September, so we experienced a range of temperatures peaking at 75 F during a sunny day to a low of 39 F at night. We even had a little rain one afternoon while we were hanging out in the tent. We were glad we brought heat packs, thermal socks and underwear, and extra layers, which were essential for the colder nights. We're early risers and were usually up before 8am each day, but noticed what sounded like drum practice coming from the nearby barn at around 9am one morning, which could be a little disruptive if you're trying to sleep in and don't have earplugs. We also heard occasional sounds from hunting activity in the mountains, but nothing very close by. - Getting There from NYC We came up from the city via Trailways bus with the intent on taking Ubers/Lyfts/Taxis for short trips between towns and to/from hiking trailheads (our Uber and Lyft apps said there were drivers in the area). We were either unlucky with timing or overoptimistic because there were no car services available in the area when we arrived, so we ended up having to hitchhike with a kind local from where the bus dropped us off in nearby Shandaken to get into Lexington. We still ended up having a lovely and memorable few days, but if we were to do this again we would probably bring our own car.
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Ben R.recommends
September 16, 2020
Catskills Mountain/Creek/Forest
gorgeous meadows, private, lush
alex and his family and friends made my partner and i feel welcome and comfortable as we took retreat on their lush and comfortable farmland. they accommodated us at every turn, but gave us our privacy to camp out and mind our own business if we wanted to. my partner and i are already planning a trip back to the farm as soon as we are able :-)
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