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Sacred Waterfall & Quiet Camping

94%
·
· Schoharie, New York
25 acres hosted by Bethany W.
1 lodging site
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Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
NOTE: THIS IS A QUIET CAMPING AREA for reconnecting with nature. Not suitable for parties or loud groups. Kahonrakén:ra, The White Spout Waterfall, is a world unto itself. For generations, the majestic waterfall has been revered for its spectacular beauty and powerful energies. It is considered a sacred site that has been central to local land rematriation work with the Kanienkeha:ka, also known as the Mohawks, the original inhabitants of Skóhare, the Schoharie Valley. Surrounded by 25 acres of both private wooded land and wide-open fields of wildflowers and fireflies, the Waterfall Cabin and Campsite are easily accessible, just off a country back road. From the campsites, it's about a 10 minute hike down the gorge to the waterfall. We do not allow partying the campsites. There is a profound healing process happening at the waterfall. At the request of the Kaneinekehaka caretakers we ask that you to respect the sacredness of this land. Thank you! There are two campsites on the property, not far from each other in the forest. One campsite is in a grass circle clearing and the other has a rustic cabin and three small flat terraces for extra tents. They are both accessed by separate footpaths through the forest, below an old red barn, surrounded by ash and walnut trees, singing birds, deer, wildflowers, and wild medicines. The campsites are not within view of each other. Each campsite has a private path down to the waterfall, where you can spend the day swimming, exploring the clay beds and looking for fossils in the 280 million year old gorge. Make a campfire at your fire pit and fall asleep under the stars listening to a 150' waterfall and the river below. Coursing between two outcroppings in a deep ravine, Kahonrakén:ra Waterfall crashes down over mossy rock shelves into a hidden pool, which then empties again into the river, running into emerald swimming holes and through dramatic clay beds. The effect is transporting. Truly, it is one of those extraordinarily beautiful spots on earth that makes you feel like you are in another world. The waterfall is amazing but the hike is steep, so please wear appropriate footwear. All hiking is at your own risk. Although your path to the waterfall is private and the waterfall is on private property, there may be other guests or locals that access the waterfall further down the road. There is no glass or alcohol allowed at the falls. Please be aware that you may hear your camping neighbors in the woods. For this reason, we ask that you don’t play amplified music and to keep noise down after 10pm so that your camping and local neighbors can chillax and enjoy the evening sounds of frogs, crickets, owls, and night songs of the countryside that makes Schoharie so special. In the big red barn at the entrance to the campsites there is a community room with a charging station, cold water sink, mini fridge, coffee maker, grills, and a port-a-potty for your use. There are also 5 gallon solar shower bags that you can use at your campsite. You are responsible for filling them and putting them in the sun to heat the water. :) This is a leave no trace campsite. Please take all your trash with you when you leave. And please bring your own biodegradable soap for dishes and toilet paper for the port-a-potty! Firewood is available onsite for $1 per log. Instructions for payment are in the community room next to the red silo at the barn. The wood is stacked at next to the red shed just uphill from the barn. You can also buy your own fire wood en route. We recommend that you buy kindling. The Schoharie Valley is said to be the most fertile valley east of the Mississippi. It is still wild, unspoiled country and there are many local farms with fresh produce and organic meat within 5 miles of the house. There are several farm stands and a general store a few miles away, Scrumpy Ewe Cidery, Panther Creek Arts, and the Sap Bush Country Store and Café just up the hill in West Fulton. Mustang Valley, a wild mustang sanctuary and rescue center, is just down the road. Nearby hikes include Looking Glass Pond and Vroman's Nose, among many others.Follow a small trail through wildflowers just below an old red barn, and you will find a tiny cabin in the forest surrounded by a grove of ash trees, dappled light, and wild medicines. Spend the day at the waterfall exploring the clay beds and looking for fossils in the 280 million year old gorge. Return to your campsite, make a fire and fall asleep under the stars listening to the waterfall and the river below. A magical place! This is a quiet campsite. No loud music. No parties. Kahonrakén:ra, The White Spout Waterfall, is a world unto itself. For generations, the majestic waterfall has been a secret place revered for its spectacular and serene beauty.  It is sacred to the Kanienkehaka, also known a the Mohawks, the original people of Skóhare, the Schoharie Valley.  Coursing between two outcroppings in a deep ravine, the waterfall crashes down over mossy rock shelves into a hidden pool, which then empties again into the river, running into emerald swimming holes and through dramatic clay beds. The effect is transporting. Truly, it is one of those extraordinarily beautiful spots on earth that makes you feel like you are in another world. Out of respect and consideration for the wishes of the original people  returning to their ancestral lands and rematriating their sacred sites, we do not allow partying at the campsites. There is a profound healing process happening at the waterfall. At the request of the Kaneinekehaka, we ask that you to respect the sacredness of this land. Thank you! The cabin is a ten minute hike from the waterfall. There is a picnic table, fire pit and a campsite with three additional flat tenting areas just next to the cabin for friends or family to join you with tents. There is a queen bed, an extra single memory foam floor mattress and three pillows. Bedding is not provided. Please bring your own sheets, pillowcases and towels. There is no plumbing or wifi at the cabin. There is one electrical outlet. An oil filled electric heater is provided from October-April. FOR FIRE SAFETY, PLEASE LEAVE IT UNPLUGGED WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN THE CABIN. At the top of the path by the big red barn there is a community room with a large refrigerator, charging station, sink, coffee maker and two port-a-potties. Feel free to fill the water jug provided with drinking water from the hose and bring it to the cabin for your use. There is a private path down from your cabin and campsite down to the waterfall, where you can spend the day swimming and looking for fossils in the 280 million year old gorge. There are native clay beds in the river for clay purification masks or making small sculptures. The waterfall is truly amazing but the hike is quite steep, so please wear appropriate footwear and hike at your own risk. The cabin is across the road from a traditional Haudenosaunee Longhouse. We are affiliated with an organization called the Waterfall Unity Alliance which is working with Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) leaders on community supported land reparations and rematriation. The longhouse on Bear Ladder Road is an initial point of return of the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka to the Schoharie Valley. Look for us online for more information! This is a private site with a private path down to the waterfall and swimming holes. You will not be sharing the Forest Tiny Cabin site with others. There is a second campsite on the property that is not in view but please be aware that you may hear your camping neighbors. For this reason, we ask that you don’t play amplified music and please keep noise down after 10pm so that everyone can enjoy the peaceful sounds of the countryside. Although your path to the waterfall is private and the waterfall is on private property, there may be other guests or locals that access the waterfall further down the road. There is no glass or alcohol allowed at the falls. This is a leave no trace campsite. Please take all your trash with you when you leave. And please bring your own toilet paper for the port-a-potty! Firewood is available onsite for $1 per log. Instructions for payment are at the red barn. The wood is stacked at your campsite as well as next to the red toolshed just uphill from the barn. You can also buy your own fire wood en route. Enjoy!!!!
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94%
93 ratings · 70 reviews
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Cindy F.recommends
April 19, 2024
Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall
Magical getaway
My husband and I spent a couple days at the cabin. It was private and quiet and all things we needed for a nature retreat. The hike to the waterfall is hard and can get slippery but we enjoyed the trek. Walking across the water and reaching the waterfall was absolutely breath taking! What a sacred and powerful waterfall. Made staying here so worth it and we'd love to come back in the Summer so we can actually swim in the holes! Thanks so much for being so attentive and answering any questions we had during our stay. Highly recommend!
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Renee S.recommends
March 31, 2024
Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall
Icy waterfall challenge!
We loved staying at the little cabin in the woods! The cabin was fresh and clean, perfectly minimalistic with HUGE windows on three sides. We went in March, but in summer the view of all the green trees will be beautiful! The hike down to the waterfalls could be challenging for some people, but we were fine. Without crossing the creek, the falls it isn’t really visible, but that wasn’t an issue because I had come prepared for an immersion in the icy water. I waded across knee high light rapids, then across a graveled area flanked by steep cliffs to the falls. It was absolutely worth the effort! The falls were too forceful to risk getting too close to by myself, but I walked out to chest high depth and floated. It was amazing! Afterwards my partner met me on the other side of the creek with warm clothes to change into. The cabin’s heater and our warm sleeping bag were a cozy reward. The falls will be perfect for secluded swimming in the summer. We plan to come back then. Overall, a wonderfully memorable trip. Thank you Bethany for hosting! Full recommendation🙂
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Jackie K.recommends
October 22, 2023
Forest Circle & Majestic Waterfall
We loved camping on Bethany’s place! The land was private and quiet. There is also access to the beautiful waterfall. Instructions were well marked to find the campsite. The porta potty was also very clean
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Tessa T.recommends
October 16, 2023
Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall
My friend and I chose to stay in our camper van as we arrived late and the cabin was cold, but otherwise we loved this place (I am used to SC and AZ weather). The waterfall is breathtaking and worth getting your feet wet for. Would definitely come back!
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Lauren Y.recommends
October 12, 2023
Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall
Its a wonderful spot. Cabin is clean and sweet. Very steep path to river, not so easy to access.
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Ashley L.recommends
October 8, 2023
Forest Circle & Majestic Waterfall
Magical Rainy Adventure
My family loved our stay and exploration of this magical place despite the rain. Heavy rains made it too dangerous for us to cross water to see the falls but it was still a beautiful place to explore and enjoy. We loved exploring the walls of the waterfall’s entry and the drier parts where little fossils were visible. Bethany was a great host and accommodations were excellent. Would love to stay again.
Location
Schoharie, New York, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Mohican and Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Bethany W.Joined in May 2022
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