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Sacred Waterfall & Quiet Camping

94%

· Schoharie, New York

25 acres hosted by Amy W.

1 lodging site

Romantic

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.

Off-leash friendly

Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.

NOTE: THIS IS A QUIET CAMPING AREA for reconnecting with nature. Not suitable for parties or loud groups. Kahonrakén:ra, The White Spiral Waterfall, is a world unto itself. For generations, the majestic waterfall has been revered for its spectacular beauty and power. 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 Ioskóhare, the Schoharie Valley. 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. There are two tiny cabins on the property. 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. One cabin is in the forest, just beyond a grass circle clearing. The other is down the hill through a wildflower grove. Both sites have extra space to set up a tent if needed. We do not allow partying. There is a profound healing process happening at the waterfall. At the request of the original caretakers, we ask that you to respect the sacredness of this land. Thank you! It's about a 10 minute hike down the gorge to the waterfall from the campsites, and 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. Then, make a campfire at your fire pit and fall asleep under the stars listening to the waterfall and the river below. Be aware that the hike is steep and appropriate footwear is required. 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%

111 ratings · 86 reviews

Teresa K.recommends

June 25, 2024

Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall

My partner and I had an incredible time. We felt very safe and had such a fun time there. We hiked to the waterfall… which was awesome. The camp site was perfect. I’d definitely go back and bring my friends. 100% highly suggest booking this spot. We had a great time cooking meals on the fire and swimming at the Waterfall.

Jonathan M.recommends

June 22, 2024

Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall

A place to leave you worries behind

We had an incredible stay and feel so grateful to have created a new memory from this sacred space. The experience is exactly what the title says it, "majestic," and this little intimate space of earth is something to truly experience and embrace higher relations to the more-than-human world.

Kris E.recommends

June 19, 2024

Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall

We loved the private campsite! The cabin’s bed was so comfortable and sleeping with the windows open allowed a nice breeze to cool off the room. We were able to hike down to the falls with our dogs with no problems. We felt a peace and serenity at the falls, with the waters providing such healing and benefit.

Christopher H.recommends

June 13, 2024

Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall

Highly Recommend

I’ll start by saying I would recommend this site to anyone truly hoping to explore natural beauty. The waterfall and river were incredible, truly breathtaking. As mentioned the hike down can be rather difficult but it’s only for a small portion and ropes are provided for extra stability making it not horrendous. However, once down your engulfed by naturally carved canyons and the sound of misting waters. The cabin itself was the perfect size for my wife, myself and two large dogs. The mattress was very comfortable and the host Amy manicured the site prior to arrival. Blankets put out and shower bags already filling etc. the community barn was a nice touch which provided a ton of Ammenities which are usually burdensome while camping ie: coffee maker, wash sinks, fridge. An added plus is the bathroom was very clean. The only real downfall is the site while private is close to the road and other camping in the area. Therefore, it’s not as quiet as I would have hoped but it didn’t take from the trip. The property is large and includes meadows across the street and gardens to walk through concluding with an overlook of the waterfall with swinging chairs. Perfect get away!

Alannah R.recommends

June 9, 2024

Forest Circle & Majestic Waterfall

Overall we had a wonderful stay! I will say that if you’re looking for a quiet and secluded campsite this might not be the best fit. (This is the ONLY “negative” thing I have to say… and I don’t even mean it in a negative way, just a heads up for those booking). The two campsites are very close and separated by a wooden wall, so even if your neighbors aren’t being super loud you will probably hear them. there was also some pretty loud music coming from the house on our last night there. seemed like group chant or ritual of some sort? Sounded cool but it was late, around 10pm. The sites aren’t far from the road either so you can hear every car that drives by (maybe 2 every hour, slows down at night). Even though it wasn’t as secluded as I had hoped, I would absolutely come back and suggest others to book because of the beautiful land. The waterfall is absolutely amazing. Photos don’t do it justice. I had high expectations and it absolutely exceeded them! Most definitely worth the trip just to spend a day at the falls, and there’s also lots of local trails to hike nearby.

Nicole B.recommends

June 5, 2024

Forest Cabin & Majestic Waterfall

This was just what we needed for a relaxing time in the woods! Super cute and the waterfall was so much more beautiful than photos could show. Our favorite part was seeing the resident kitty that stopped by daily for visits! Highly recommend and would love to go 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

Hosted by Amy W.Joined in May 2022

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