14 acres hosted by Chelsi L.
10 lodging sites · 1 tent site
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Chelsi is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Private sites
100% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.
Hike-in sites
Hike-in to some sites at this Hipcamp.
Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Paddling
Swimming
Natural features
Forest
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Reviews
100% Recommend39 ratings · 27 reviews
Aefintyr offers a beautiful and secluded camping experience, perfect for those looking to disconnect and enjoy nature. The steep hike to the campsite is a recurring challenge noted by visitors, but many agree that the breathtaking views and privacy are worth the effort. The site is well-equipped with clean bathrooms and thoughtful amenities, making it comfortable without losing the rustic charm. Chelsi, the host, is consistently praised for her responsiveness and hospitality, adding a personal touch to the stay.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
Amazing site! Reward, it’s a straight up climb in. But not bad or undoable.
Amanda M.
4 years on Hipcamp
This site was an amazing place to vacation. The area was beautiful, private, and mosquito free. It was not crowded and the bathrooms and outhouses were exceptionally clean. They also had community activities that made our camping experience extra special, especially the daily free painting classes taught by a local artist. I came with three young kids and the daily class was definitely something they looked forward to every day. Not sure if that's a regular thing, though, since we went during Memorial Day weekend. A word of warning, however. The hike-in camp site is intense. Once we had all our stuff set up the daily walk wasn't so bad, but bringing up our tent and gear that first day was a heavy burden. We are reasonably fit young people, and I would probably go back even so, but I think the steepness and length of the hike would definitely be prohibitive for some. I suggested to the camp manager that they provide some kind of initial service to ATV campers' stuff up the ridge so I hope they look into that. Other than that, absolutely fantastic site.
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Sarah S.
4 years on Hipcamp
Located just a few minutes outside of Whitewater State Park, Aefintyr offers both convenience and privacy. Chelsi has everything you need at the top of a very steep mountain - you work for the stay and it’s worth every step. Thank you Chelsi for your above and beyond friendliness and accommodations!
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Jaci J.
2 reviews
Magical! Chelsi has built a convenient escape overlooking the stars at Aefintyr. I stayed with her two years ago and the site has only gotten better. When my boyfriend wanted to camp for his birthday I knew just the place to make sure it was an unforgettable experience. From the amenities to the view, we’ll keep coming back. Thank you!
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Jaci J.
2 reviews
Nice place Chelsi. Thanks for the hospitality and great communication.
Jim A.
2 reviews
We had a wonderful family weekend in Cabin #3! The kids especially enjoyed the hammock chairs underneath the cabin. The inside was thoughtfully designed and very comfortable, and having a mini fridge and microwave was a nice bonus. The bathrooms were very clean and convenient, too. Chelsi was very responsive and friendly - a great host. We'll definitely be back for another stay!
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Tara A.
11 reviews
An awesome experience! The cabins are beautiful on the inside! Mini fridge and electricity make it very easy to enjoy a comfortable stay here beautiful outdoor space. The bathroom is very nice and clean too! Will absolutely be back!!
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Sarah K.
2 years on Hipcamp
We loved the hike-in tent because everything was already set up for us, the firewood was right by the site, and the forested area was beautiful. We brought our dog and had a great time- it felt private and cozy.
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Grace H.
10 months on Hipcamp
We had a great time! The cabin was comfy and we loved the deck and hammocks. Bathroom was super clean. Would stay here again.
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Brandon M.
1 year on Hipcamp
We loved camping at Chelsi's land! The hike in is steep, but totally worth it. The group camp and star gazing areas were top notch and the area was well marked. If you need anything from town, it's just a quick drive away. We definitely recommend the Elba House Coffee and Spirits for breakfast. The hiking is great at Whitewater State Park, which is also just minutes away. We would definitely come again!
Nick V.
4 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
Lo ame, cumplió mis expectativas 100%… lugar limpio, tranquilo y relajante para pasar lindos y acogedores días de descanso y relax.
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Zoe M.
10 months on Hipcamp
This place was absolutely wonderful. It was a fabulous experience with my two daughters. It is definitely a hike up the bluff but well worth it. The area is well mapped out and communication via email/text with the host was excellent. Definitely will be back!
Mitch E.
4 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
With kids ·
Bell Tent Rustic Hike-in - Carya
We were so grateful for the spacious tent, mattresses, and bedding! We slept great at the site. The hike in was strenuous, but our family is fit, including our seven-year-old and ten-year-old, so we made it work!
Star gazing was awesome! Definitely the highlight of our stay.
Chelsie is a great host and was very responsive. The bathhouse at the bottom by the parking lot was very nice and clean, and we were grateful to be able to shower after a day of hiking and swimming at nearby Whitewater State Park.
There is a nice big skillet and a cooking grate at the fire, and that was great! I wasn’t sure if there would be both at the site (I was worried they were only available at the community area), so we packed in a cast iron skillet. It wasn’t needed! :)
The biggest challenge was packing in our water, as there is no potable water at the top. We also wish the fire pit area at Carya was a little flatter, but it wasn’t a big deal.
We recommend bringing your own lantern and flashlights to supplement the light on site. There is a lantern in the tent that provides adequate light for the tent, but you may want a brighter lantern for cooking outside in the dark. We brought ours along and were grateful we did. If you can pack battery or solar string lights, they would work great as there are plenty of trees on which to string them!
We recommend the site overall but know that the trail in is wide and just goes up! I had imagined a winding trail with switchbacks. It’s not. ;)
Courtney L.
3 reviews
Celtis was wonderful and everything we expected. It's located in a beautiful part of Minnesota bluff country between Winona and Rochester. The hike up the hill is not for the faint of heart, but worth the trip. We felt like we had the whole area to ourselves. The coyotes sang us to sleep. The bugs were not a problem and even though it rained super hard the second night, we stayed dry without bothering to lower the flaps on the bed frame. The shower rooms are modern and very nice. Chelsi was great and extremely responsive.
Tim L.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2024
Chelsi communicated promptly and provided a detailed map to our site. The amenities and comfortable bed were well received after a long day of hiking. A thunderstorm hit during the night, but we stayed safe and dry inside our site.
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Anna A.
3 reviews
Recommends
· July 2024
Wilderness magic with amenities :)
With kids ·
Bell Tent Rustic Hike-in - Quercus
We loved the setting! Beautifully set up, secluded sites with proper glamping amenities that keep it comfortable yet rustic. Chelsi was great to work with - very prompt in responding, sharing helpful information about the area, answering questions, and very accommodating.
Our group stayed at the Quercus, Carya and Celtis sites and really enjoyed our time at Aefintyr. The hike up could be called challenging, but it's not too long and definitely makes the experience more authentic :). We had two 3-year olds along with older kids, and they all fared quite well up and down the bluff. Despite the (convenient) proximity to the town, the sites feel like they are in the middle of the wilderness - the fireflies, the birds, the star-studded sky at night, and the sounds of animals all around are what made this trip truly special for us. It's a quick drive to the Whitewater State Park from there, and the absence of mosquitoes is a huge plus!
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Jane S.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2024
Chelsi was a great host. She always got back to messages quickly and kindly. Her space here is very unique and we very much enjoyed our time here. She’s not kidding when she says for the hike-in sites to pack light and it’s not for the weak hearted. It’s a pretty steep about 10 minute rocky incline up to the camp sites. But once you’re up there it’s such a cool place. Little trails to wonder through, star gazing over the corn fields, lots of privacy between sites and really just feeling submersed in nature with some creature comforts like a mattress and sheets waiting for you. Bugs honestly weren’t that bad even with heavy rain a couple days. And the showers down at the base of the hill was very nice after hiking all day or to freshen up. Overall very cool experience and would recommend if looking for an alternative to big campgrounds and a good blend of glamping and off grid camping.
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Kathryn B.
2 reviews
It was great! We requested betula but due to weather conditions we switched to a tree house and Chelsi was great with helping us change to it last minute. Everything was super clean. Despite the weather many things too do. Good amount of blankets and towels incase you miss anything. Love the fact there was a microwave in the tree house as well as a coffee maker. Great experience over all recommend!
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Jacqueline S.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2024
Chelsi was so accommodating and quick to reply to anything we needed. We had a small mouse problem in our tent upon arrival and within the hour she had a new tent and mattresses set up for us. We really loved the site and the hike in wasn’t too crazy. We will be back for the treehouses! Thanks for being an amazing host for our family.
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Alexandra A.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2024
With kids ·
Outdoor Bed Hike-in Camp - Celtis
Very isolated and I was unaware if anyone else was around me.
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Jon W.
1 year on Hipcamp
Beautiful cabin and setting, with amenities just as advertised. The cabin was very comfortable, bathroom was very clean. Location is excellent for a visit to the nearby Whitewater State Park.
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Ivan N.
1 year on Hipcamp
I love this little corner of the Midwest, and the heated Yurt was a great place to nestle away and enjoy it in another season. Nothing is cozier than the warmth and sounds of a wood-burning stove. We loved watching the flames' shadows dance on the canvas. Heated bathrooms, drinking water, and miles of trails are easily accessible. We'll surely be back.
Marissa S.
4 reviews
Even the drive there is full of great scenery. This area is stunning, it was beautiful for taking a morning walk. We loved the cabin, really enjoyed the bunk beds because even as adults my husband and I are really just grown children that still enjoy picking a bunk! It was toasty warm when we arrived, a very nice spot to disconnect but still enjoy modern convenience. It is close to the road so do know that you do get traffic sounds. I like traffic noise so didn’t bother us a bit. The little touches were fantasic- poprcorn and oatmeal available, big fluffy towels, very pretty quilts! Shower/bathroom house is very clean and well kept! It is warm and toasty while you shower and shower is very spacious. Chelsi was fantastic to work with and so friendly! We would love to come again if we get some snow this year for a fun (true) winter time retreat. This would be an ideal spot to sip cocoa and view the sky from the sky windows. There is virtually no light pollution, incredibly dark and clear at night.
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Jasmine G.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2023
Quiet hill top amongst fields/trees
With pets ·
Bell Tent Rustic Hike-in - Betula
Wonderful site perched on top of a hill. The canvas tent for three was spacious and clean. Our dog loved the tent window where he watched the outdoors. There were no mosquitos and the campsites are far apart and private. The star gazing area next to the soybean farm was wonderful.
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Samir P.
3 reviews
We had a wonderful getaway in the Celtis outdoor bed site. The hike up the bluff was a bit steeper than we anticipated, but each time we did it, it got easier. One night, we got back around twilight and the fireflies guided us up the trail. The bed was really comfortable and it was so luxurious to be able to go to sleep with the crickets and owls and wake up watching the sunrise and the woodpeckers. The stars were incredible and it was very private and secluded. You can hear the road below but we got used to it. The site has all of the amenities needed - including bottled drinking water and collected rainwater and a very clean compostable toilet. It is so close to Whitewater State Park and the town of Elba is great - we love Mauer Bros! Chelsi was extremely responsive and helpful from the start to the end and she has put a lot of work into making Aefintyr a special place.
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Lauren B.
4 reviews
Recommends
· July 2023
Tent · With pets ·
Hike-in Driftless Blufftop Camp 6
A beautiful site with incredible amenities. Beautiful views. I loved the star gazing area.
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Jennifer K.
3 reviews
Recommends
· March 2023
Nice touches such as a coffee pot and popcorn! The firepiit area was really nice with a great view of the trees. Bed was comfortable and the shower was really nice, and hot!
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Keith H.
7 reviews
Location
Altura, Winona County, Minnesota, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Chelsi L.
Joined in August 2019Response rate: 100%
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