Forget Everything You Know About Camping
The Hudson Valley region of New York State is a four-season playground. Still, come summer, the area goes into overdrive with a multitude of things to see, do (and eat!). Visit a winery, ride a bicycle on a rail-trail, check out the Shakespeare Festival, or-of course!-attend the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, held on June 2-4, 2017.
This is also the time of year when you can take advantage of the beautiful scenery by camping out. The glories of staying in the great outdoors are well-documented: sleeping under the stars, cooking over the fire, crafting s'mores. Of course, the hassles that accompany camping are also legendary, like lugging all that equipment and pitching a tent.
A few years ago, avid outdoorsman Michael D'Agostino was driving back to New York City from the Catskills after a camping outing. He felt unsatisfied: he and his wife had stayed in a crowded, noisy campground, and their site was right next to the bathroom. As he was driving, he spotted a beautiful field and thought: "I wish we could just camp right there. There has to be a better way."
So in 2015 D'Agostino founded Tentrr, a company that hooks up landowners with nature-starved New Yorkers and other outdoor aficionados. Here's how it works: Private landowners provide a plot of land to Tentrr, which then equips the land with their standard equipment. Each site contains a 10 x 12 canvas tent that is already set up on a wooden platform, with a blow-up queen-size cot, a picnic table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, food storage materials, a fire pit, food storage materials, and a solar-run sun shower. In addition, there is an extra dome tent on site for kids or extra friends.
But how does Tentrr handle the most delicate details? Campers can do their business in a Tentrr Loo, "a box that has a really nice toilet seat on it," says Baxter Townsend, Tentrr's director of public relations. Apparently, the "bucket" is lined with a bag that contains an enzyme that breaks down waste. When you're done, you simply throw the bag out. "It's not icky at all," insists Townsend. "It doesn't smell and it's very eco-friendly." (We'll just have to trust her on that!)
Much like Airbnb, campers log on to an online portal and choose the site they are interested in; 80 percent of the fee goes to the landowner, and Tentrr takes the rest. There are currently about 35 sites in the system, all in the Hudson Valley and the adjacent Catskill Mountains. But by the end of June, Tentrr hopes to have registered close to 200 sites.
Understandably, the sites are as varied as the Hudson Valley landscape. But they do have one thing in common: "They're all on the most beautiful pieces of private lands, and they are all carefully screened," says Townsend. "So whether you end up with a swimming hole, hiking trails, beautiful views, or all of the above, you know you'll end up in nature, getting to experience it fully - and privately."
Here are a few of Tentrr's Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain sites to inspire you:
Lothlorien in Kerhonkson
The site ($125 per night) features a swimming hole with a floating dock and a rowboat. Take note fishermen: the water is stocked with trout.
The Antique Cider Apple Orchard in Fleischmanns
Untamed apple orchards (these fruits are ideal cider producers) overflow on this pretty property ($165 per night), which offers views of the Delaware River.
Woodstock Mountains and Pond in Woodstock
Swim and kayak in the farm pond at this site ($120 per night), which is surrounded by wildflowers. Enjoy the mountain views and keep your eyes open for eagles.
If you're planning a visit to the Hudson Valley the first weekend of June don't miss the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck,where you'll find great shopping, food and craft demonstrations, delicious eats, and lots more. Visit stellashows.com to purchase tickets in advance.
You Might Also Like
