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Monarch Meadows

Hosted by Judith · Kerhonkson, New York

7 guests max · 3 beds · 1 toilet

97%

37 reviews

Staff verified

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

Judith A is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Romantic

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.

This 17-acre site has diverse habitats, from an upland pine and hardwood forest to wild native meadows full of blueberries, asters and milkweed. The most special feature is a large tributary and creek waterway system with areas of wetland. Once choked with invasive plants, it is now a largely restored native plant and wildlife habitat that supports migrating herons, trout, amphibians and clouds of Monarch and other butterflies. In the fall I've seen Monarchs circle up in vortexes from the meadows and take off on their migration. There are several large swimming holes where the creek turns or joins with its tributary. Bridges have been installed over the tributary and over brooklets feeding into it. A lot of care and love is going into this land. Over 500 native trees planted along the creek banks are growing into a forest - you'll see many still in protective tubes and cages. Thousands of native pollinator ground-plants have been planted or sprung up on their own, some like tiny flowering gems on the shady forest floors. The old stone walls running through the property and around its boundaries speak to its history as a farm and an apple orchard. Swimming, hiking, fishing and bird-and-wildlife watching will fascinate you in this dynamic landscape that is constantly coming closer to what used to exist hundreds of years ago and is now reestablishing itself. In the vicinity, there's Tetta's, a deli/cafe/gas station and small emporium with made-to-order pizza, local raw honey, mushroom, crafts, and all kinds of food, pretty much everything you need; it's been in the family for generations. Find it Northeast on Samsonville Road (County Rt. 3) at the junctions of Rts. 2 & 3. There's a hike to a waterfall if you drive a few miles down Upper Cherrytown Road from the end of Sundown Road: you'll see a parking lot with signs for the falls; the DEC-maintained trail is across the road ([xxxxxxxx] There's venues nearby along Rt. 209 with local musicians on Saturday nights: places like The Outpost Barbeque, 6611 Rt. 209 in Kerhonkson, Lydia's Cafe at 7 Old US Hwy 209, Stone Ridge. Near Lydia's is a favorite afternoon hang-out, Cherries Roadside and General, which not only has literally hundreds of ice cream flavors, but an excellent, informal restaurant. I can talk to you about many other fun places.This is a 17-acre property with different habitats on it - creeks, woods, wetlands and meadows. Home base is a huge, cream-colored canvas tent in a witch hazel grove in the midst of a woods. The tent has screened windows and doors and a spacious white tarp over it for extra rain and weather protection. The tarp extends over the back of the tent. The inside is light and airy. It also has a sheltered front porch. Inside is a double bed with an extra mattress under it, in a zip-tarp, and a daybed that pulls out into a twin-size bed. The tent will easily hold 4-5 people, 6 with a little arranging. Access to the site is down a grassy driveway, then a short dirt road through the woods. There is room for several cars at the end of the driveway and also at the campsite. A classic wood-shingle outhouse with a composting toilet (with a half-moon on the door), and firepit are on-site and a small stack of firewood. I have an outdoor, private hot-water shower/sink/mirror set up behind my house - a minute's drive around the corner from the campsite. You can take drinking water from the sink or, if you bring a Brita filter-system dispenser, directly from the creek, which has a Class A drinking water classification. Continuing down the dirt road from the tent - a 2 minute walk - you will shortly come to a meadow and a large tributary creek, called the Red Brook, named after the color of the leaves of a nearby grove of sugar maples which fall into it in the autumn. The entire property is being restored as a native plant and wildlife habitat. You will see many protected new trees and marked native pollinator plants along the creek and in the meadow. You can follow the Red Brook to where it joins the much larger Mettacahonts Creek, where you'll find a wide swimming hole, about 4' deep, or cross over a bridge into another meadow, or meander into the grassy borders of the Mettacahonts Creek. There are further woodlands, wetlands and swimming holes to explore. It is a native plant and bird sanctuary. The site is level, only the west side pine forest rises slightly above the bed of the Mettacahonts. Boundaries are clearly marked. Off-site, if you wish to see the local waterfall, the Vernooy Falls, you can drive up past my house to where Sundown Road, Upper Cherrytown and Trails End Road all meet, and take a left onto Upper Cherrytown. 1.1 miles down, on the left, is a parking lot across from the trail up to the falls. It's a gorgeous, slightly uphill hike. For any shopping, dining and amenities, you're near Stone Ridge, which has great dining, antiquing, and small-town charm. Or you can go to Ellenville, which has a theater. a crystal and antiques shops and many new restaurants. If you're coming up from the south, your GPS will probably guide you to go up Samsonville Road. Be aware that past the turnoff on the left for Cherrytown Road, Samsonville is temporarily closed while a bridge is being repaired. Instead, turn left onto Cherrytown (just past Clay Hill Road) and follow it until you reach Upper Cherrytown - you'll make a sharp left to get onto it. Follow it all the way to the junction of Trails End, Upper Cherrytown and Sundown Road. Turn right onto Sundown Road, follow it until it meets Palentown Road, which comes in at a fork on the left. Make a hard right to stay on Sundown and look for the lopped-off telephone-pole on the left that marks the driveway into the campsite.

What to expect

Canvas tent

You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.

7 guests max

Campfires allowed

Firepit. About 30' in front of the tent. Supply of firewood under plastic wrap nearby.

Toilet available

Composting toilet

Pets allowed

Off leash. Please pick up after your dogs, you can use the composting toilet. They will love to romp in the meadows and woods, but do not allow them to harm any wildlife they find - otherwise please keep them on-leash.

Potable water available

Spigot, tap. I offer an enclosed, private outdoor shower behind my house, which is about a 1-minute drive around the corner. There's a sink where you can fill up on water. Or, if you have a filter (such as a Brita) you can take water from the creek, which is classified as potable drinking water.

Showers available

Hot and cold water. I have installed an outdoor shower behind my house. Continue up Sundown Road and turn left at the T; my home is # 213. Go down the short path between the garage and house, and you'll see the outdoor shower. The space also has a sink and mirror. You have privacy in it, just loop the curtain over the hook to completely close the interior from view.

Bins available

Trash bin. There's a small metal trash bin with a lid and plastic-bag liner in the tent, only for being able to put trash in one place. Please take the bag with you when you leave. Thanks!

Cooking equipment present

Grill over firepit. Large picnic table with large oak cutting board on it.

Picnic table present

8' long, next to the tent. It has a large oak cutting board on it and a smaller oak trivet for hot food.

Laundry present

For longer stays (2 or more nights), you are welcome to use the washer-drier in my basement.

No wifi

Hot Tub absent

No playground

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 1:00 PM

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

On arrival: Head straight to site

Cancellation policy:

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 6 months out

Park at listing

No wheelchair access

Max 2 vehicles

2WD accessible

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.

Select a site

Lodging

1 site

Monarch Meadows Campsite

97%

(46)

Canvas tent · Sleeps 7 · 3 beds · 1 toilet

This is a 17-acre property with different habitats on it - creeks, woods, wetlands and meadows. Home base is a huge, cream-colored canvas tent in a witch hazel grove in the midst of a woods. The tent has screened windows and doors and a spacious white tarp over it for extra rain and weather protection. The tarp extends over the back of the tent. The inside is light and airy. It also has a sheltered front porch. Inside is a double bed with an extra mattress under it, in a zip-tarp, and a daybed that pulls out into a twin-size bed. The tent will easily hold 4-5 people, 6 with a little arranging. Access to the site is down a grassy driveway, then a short dirt road through the woods. There is room for several cars at the end of the driveway and also at the campsite. A classic wood-shingle outhouse with a composting toilet (with a half-moon on the door), and firepit are on-site and a small stack of firewood. I have an outdoor, private hot-water shower/sink/mirror set up behind my house - a minute's drive around the corner from the campsite. You can take drinking water from the sink or, if you bring a Brita filter-system dispenser, directly from the creek, which has a Class A drinking water classification. Continuing down the dirt road from the tent - a 2 minute walk - you will shortly come to a meadow and a large tributary creek, called the Red Brook, named after the color of the leaves of a nearby grove of sugar maples which fall into it in the autumn. The entire property is being restored as a native plant and wildlife habitat. You will see many protected new trees and marked native pollinator plants along the creek and in the meadow. You can follow the Red Brook to where it joins the much larger Mettacahonts Creek, where you'll find a wide swimming hole, about 4' deep, or cross over a bridge into another meadow, or meander into the grassy borders of the Mettacahonts Creek. There are further woodlands, wetlands and swimming holes to explore. It is a native plant and bird sanctuary. The site is level, only the west side pine forest rises slightly above the bed of the Mettacahonts. Boundaries are clearly marked. Off-site, if you wish to see the local waterfall, the Vernooy Falls, you can drive up past my house to where Sundown Road, Upper Cherrytown and Trails End Road all meet, and take a left onto Upper Cherrytown. 1.1 miles down, on the left, is a parking lot across from the trail up to the falls. It's a gorgeous, slightly uphill hike. For any shopping, dining and amenities, you're near Stone Ridge, which has great dining, antiquing, and small-town charm. Or you can go to Ellenville, which has a theater. a crystal and antiques shops and many new restaurants. If you're coming up from the south, your GPS will probably guide you to go up Samsonville Road. Be aware that past the turnoff on the left for Cherrytown Road, Samsonville is temporarily closed while a bridge is being repaired. Instead, turn left onto Cherrytown (just past Clay Hill Road) and follow it until you reach Upper Cherrytown - you'll make a sharp left to get onto it. Follow it all the way to the junction of Trails End, Upper Cherrytown and Sundown Road. Turn right onto Sundown Road, follow it until it meets Palentown Road, which comes in at a fork on the left. Make a hard right to stay on Sundown and look for the lopped-off telephone-pole on the left that marks the driveway into the campsite.

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

Showers

Picnic table

Reviews

97% Recommend46 ratings · 37 reviews

Judith's campsite offers a serene and private escape in the Hudson Valley/Catskill region, where nature lovers can relish in the expansive 17 acres of lush land. Guests appreciate the blend of traditional camping with a touch of comfort, as the spacious tent and amenities like clean linens make for a cozy stay, even during challenging weather. The property features scenic trails, a charming swimming hole, and a well-maintained site, making it an ideal spot for a refreshing getaway. However, visitors should be mindful of ticks and mosquitoes as noted by some campers.

Summary AI-generated from real reviews

Recommends

· October 2026

With pets

Wonderful and peaceful site. You can see all the love and care the body has put into this property. Tons of wildlife, especially birds. The tent was very clean and comfortable. The fire pit was as cozy as could be. Easy to find, clear signage and close to tons of stuff. Great site and I hope to return to it one day.

Recommends

· September 2026

After staying at 5 or 6 other locations, this glamp is going down as one of my favorites thus far in the Hudson valley/catskill region. Theres quite a lot to be said for having an entire 17 acres to yourself (at the time of our stay). The grounds are just as the host describes in her listing. If you are into plants, nature, healthy forest, etc, this glamp should be a must on your list. The spacious tent is a short drive thru the woods down a bumpy road but managed fine in a Volkswagen Jetta. The host was nice, helpful and welcoming. Both the inside of the tent and the front covered porch were clean and perfectly spacious enough to make our stay comfortable…even in the pouring rains we had one morning. I highly recommend staying a couple nights at this glamp site….we wish we could have stayed another night!!!

Recommends

· September 2026

With pets

Great spot! Beautiful area. Nice soft and even ground to camp with a tent if you're pitching your own. Very comfortable lodging if using the set up provided. Very pretty little swimming close by too. Thanks Judith!

Recommends

· August 2026

10/10 Experience at Monarch Meadows

Group trip

This was a beautiful campsite — definitely one of my favorites in the Upstate area! The land is absolutely beautiful. It’s hard to put into words how perfect the weekend was at this site! Perfect mix of traditional camping and “glamping”. The beds were comfy, the outhouse was very convenient, the firepit was close enough to the tent but tons of space to walk around and socialize with my guests. Also didn’t know there would be so much land to explore on the property. It was such a treat. 10/10 experience!

Recommends

· August 2026

Beautiful nature!

With kids

We had a wonderful time here. The surrounding nature is truly beautiful. We loved exploring and there was a lovely creek, lots of interesting mushrooms, and even spotted some small wildlife! A big thank you to Judith A. She was incredibly friendly and so thoughtful, making us feel very welcome. Highly recommend!

Recommends

· August 2026

Camping

With pets

My 3 friends, my dog, and I loved camping at this site. It was so serene and Judith prepped us with everything we could need. I could tell she truly cares about the people who stay at her beautiful site! We walked around and swam in the swimming holes which she drew out for us on a map. She left us linens and a lighter and bug spray, as well as prepped the beds in the tent. The tent itself was so awesome!! We actually got really heavy rain for about an hour and were able to relax inside the tent. We thought, how much better is this than if we were in little pop up tents! Lol. It was really an amazing time. There was nobody around us and so we had so much space to ourselves. I definitely will want to come back to this magical spot.

Recommends

· June 2026

We loved our stay! The tent was lovely and spacious. Judith provided many linens for us to use and we were warm at night and cool during the day in the shade. The property is gorgeous and her attention and care towards the land was evident everywhere we explored. We would love to come back in the future with friends, as there was plenty of space at the campsite and the creek was hours of fun. Definitely a wonderful escape from the city.

Recommends

· November 2025

Excellent site and setup

Awesome campsite in a great location! Very well equipped, clean and comfortable.

Recommends

· October 2025

With pets

The site was lovely, just as pictured and described here. We also stayed on a cold night, in the mid 30s, and we were bundled up but quite cozy in the set up (in case anyone else is considering a late season overnight!). Would recommend a fall trip!

Recommends

· October 2025

With pets

The land and location are absolutely gorgeous! The tent, even through the mini Nor’easter, was cozy, spacious, and simply perfect for what we wanted for a weekend in the woods.

Recommends

· October 2025

Meadow’nt wait to stay here!

With pets

Beautiful meadow and a top tier sleeping situation. Pair those with a swimming hole and a communicative host? Bingo! 5 stars.

Recommends

· September 2025

Perfect quiet private paradise

This was such a perfectly secluded spot! This property is a beautiful source of peaceful discovery between the sweet-smelling meadow, lovely shady pine woods, and a meandering creek with a very convenient and beautiful sunny swimming hole, though the area drought meant that we skipped it for this trip in late September. Judith's work on this land was remarkable to see, the tent was spacious, clean, and comfortable, the outhouse very convenient, and there was a generous stock of firewood for us to use with great enthusiasm to cook our dinner and breakfast over a convenient grate. Judith was extremely responsive, making suggestions of sights to see in the area and was very friendly when we needed to stop by without notice since we didn't have service on the property.

Mixed feelings

· August 2025

Real nature getaway

I spent 2 nights at Monarch Meadows with 2 city teenagers and we had a great time! Communication with the host was smooth and the tent was huge and well equipped with blankets and bedding and pillows. But it’s not for everyone- it’s a real nature getaway, no water or electricity- so if you’re up for that- you’ll have an amazing experience.

Recommends

· August 2025

Beautiful property being maintained and restored by someone who clearly cares about the land and her guests. Judith responded quickly with any concerns. The site is near a road with low traffic and some neighbors that can be heard. So while I would not describe it as secluded, it is very private. I did not come into contact with anyone while I was there. The swimming hole was great. There was a lot of different birds nearby, including a nest of broad Hawks. Overall, I would not hesitate to stay here again.

Recommends

· July 2025

Retreat for swimming and cooking

Can’t recommend this site enough. The tent is large and spacious and was sturdy enough to keep dry during a storm. The nearby swimming creek areas are large enough to fit inner tubes and chairs, which makes for a great time. We brought a large cast iron which fit perfectly over the grill plate (and had grilled brie and apples which was amazing). Tons of nearby sticks and firewood but bring matches or a lighter to start the fire. I’d also recommend bringing a battery-powered fan of some sort in the summer, it got pretty warm in the tent which made it hard to sleep. The outdoor showers are located at Judith’s place 5ish minutes from the campsite so you need to drive there. Over a cleverly designed site and we plan on staying again with friends from the city.

Recommends

· July 2025

This is a fantastic site. Judith is extremely welcoming and accommodating, and she's done an amazing job with the property. The sleeping arrangements were spacious and comfortable, and we had a great time exploring the trails and swimming holes. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, be mindful of ticks and mosquitos if you're going to venture through some of the ferns and tall grass. Judith was very transparent about their presence and was kind enough to supply some natural repellents that, along with the repellents we brought, kept things very manageable. I'd come back any time, it's really an amazing place to camp.

Recommends

· July 2025

With pets

We had a lovely time camping on Judith's land. The forest has many beautiful trees, ferns, grasses, boulders and the streams were gorgeous. It's tranquil and private. The swimming holes were perfect and we spend lots of time in the water. Location and directions were clear and the place was easy to find. There is a road nearby but it did not bother us much. Probably very related to the season we went but the amount of ticks overwhelmed us and the tent does not keep them out since it is not fully closed, which is great for fresh air though. We appreciate very much what Judith is doing restoring native species and definitely recommend this place (maybe in a different season unless you don't mind dozens of ticks).

Recommends

· July 2025

We had a great time staying at this site. It was a beautiful day and everything was as advertised. Would love to see it again in the future when some of the younger trees have grown in to see how it transforms. As mentioned elsewhere, just be mindful to check for deer ticks periodically.

Mixed feelings

· June 2025

With pets

Judith was a great host and her descriptions were accurate about the property. The tent was spacious, we loved sitting on the little porch, and provided linens were much appreciated. We missed having a spigot of running water for washing dishes on site. We ended up leaving early due to how many insects were attacking us, even with repellent, but that's just mother nature doing her thing.

Recommends

· June 2025

Beautiful tranquil location

With pets

We had an amazing stay at Judith's site. The setting is beautiful, private and really well maintained. The tent was really comfortable and clean! We loved listening to the birds in the morning and a thunderstorm overnight from the warmth of the tent. Judith was a fantastic host and was always ready to help or answer any questions. There were a lot of bugs and ticks onsite, which Judith was very communicative about beforehand, so we came prepared with sprays and repellants. Make sure you are too! And bring long, breathable(!) clothing. The forest was sticky hot when was sun is out. Luckily there were none in the tent as they had taken the care to seal even the underneath of the floorboards. Our city dog had the time of his life sprinting through the paths in the meadow and lying in the sunspots. Overall a fantastic stay.

Recommends

· May 2025

Great land to walk around!

Site and everything well equipped and as expected. Nice campsite area large enough to accommodate a small group. Land has a great stream and trails trough woods.

Recommends

· May 2025

What a beautiful little oasis! Easy to get to but once you’re there you feel so immersed in nature. The tent was nice and cozy and kept us warm despite an unseasonably cold Memorial Day weekend. Outhouse was clean and close by. The rest of the property was a delight to explore, making you feel like a kid again! If it isn’t obvious, be sure to check yourself thoroughly for ticks especially if venturing through the meadow! We want to come back for a warmer weekend so we can take advantage of the swimming hole which looked like a perfect dipping spot. We also loved the care and attention spent to restoring all the indigenous plants in the area.

Recommends

· May 2025

Fun with dogs!

I had a truly wonderful time at this site! The location was beautiful and peaceful, and I really appreciated the opportunity to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Everything went smoothly, and it was the perfect spot for a refreshing getaway. Thank you for a lovely stay—I’d absolutely come back!

Recommends

· April 2025

A wonderful spot, and Judith was communicative, accommodating, kind, and helpful. Her and this spot were everything we needed and wanted for our weekend getaway. Would love to stay again!

Recommends

· November 2024

Beautiful property

With pets

Judith was an excellent host. She has a beautiful property. She tried to accommodate us in everyway possible. My daughter couldn't reach me because of lack of cell service so she called Judith and Judith came to the camping site to deliver the message.

Recommends

· October 2024

We had a great time at Judith’s site. The tent was comfortable and sturdy with a picnic table, fire pit and composting toilet onsite. Judith was a super thoughtful host and made sure we had everything we needed for a lovely stay. With extra blankets she provided, we were fine in the tent on chilly fall nights. I hope to come back when the weather warms again!

Recommends

· October 2024

Group trip

I loved the space provided! The back road to get there can be a little rough if you've got a lower car, but once you get into the area it really is such a wonderful secluded space. Wood was provided, and everything was so clean and tidy! Would absolutely recommend and stay again!

Recommends

· October 2024

The tent was beautiful, a great size, and very comfortable. Judith was helpful and communicative the whole time. Her woods are gorgeous and even on a chilly October night we were totally warm in the tent! Would love to come back.

Recommends

· October 2024

This was an awesome tent site tucked back away from everything. Site was nice and clean had all the things you would want for a nice weekend. with the near by reservoir, the views 🤯

Recommends

· October 2024

With kids

Beautiful property and had a wonderful time with my boys - proper camping experience with 17 acres of beautifully maintained wilderness. Judith was attentive and helpful throughout my stay.

Location

Kerhonkson, Ulster, New York, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Judith A K.

Joined in May 2024

Monarch Meadows

Things to know

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Monarch Meadows Campsite

Reviews

Location

Hosted by Judith A K.

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