Immerse yourself in the nature of the Catskills and reconnect with loved ones at this lakefront retreat. Nestled amongst the trees, "Lakefront Hideaway" offers:
o Your own private shoreline with firepit, fishing rods, kayaks and paddleboat
o 5.5 acres to explore with winter views, limestone cliffs, snowshoes and sleds;
o Gameroom with ping pong, air hockey, foosball, board games and Xbox; and
o Wood-burning stove and soaring beamed ceilings.
Some of our favorite aspects of Lakefront Hideaway include...
Its private lakefront shoreline: You will enjoy exclusive access to the property's shoreline. As part of a private community, the lake is not accessible to the public, helping it remain pristine year after year. Enjoy your time at the lake by...
o Unwinding in the hammock that hangs between towering trees, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature;
o Gathering around the crackling firepit directly on the shore, roasting marshmallows under a starlit sky;
o Relaxing on the spacious wrap-around deck, where a propane fire table keeps you warm while you grill up a feast.
Endless activities available (and included) right on the property: Each season will bring new discoveries as you explore our 5.5-acre property. Follow winding trails right on the property that lead to limestone cliffs and winter views of the surrounding mountains.
In warmer weather, the property transforms into an aquatic haven for activity. Cool off in the refreshing waters, explore the lake in a kayak or paddleboat, cast a line for your own freshly-caught trout, or challenge your friends to a game of croquet, badminton, or volleyball on the expansive lawn. Don't worry about packing extras – we've included the following for your convenience::
o two kayaks,
o a paddleboat,
o life vests,
o fishing rods,
o a portable hammock
o badminton/volleyball net and equipment,
o a croquet set, and
o to top it all off, an easy-to-use snow cone maker.
Come winter, the landscape transforms into a snowy wonderland. We provide:
o An assortment of sleds to use on the property's sled-worthy hill; and
o Snowshoes in a variety of adult and children's sizes.
Prime location for exploring the Catskills:
o Walk, run, or bike the Catskill Scenic Trail as you take in the beauty of the surrounding mountains and forest (5 minute drive to entry point)
o Fly fish or take a river tube down the west branch of the Delaware river (5 minute drive to an entry point)
o Reach any of the Catskills’ four ski mountains in less than an hour. Plattekill Mountain is the closest (25 minutes away). In addition to being a locals' favorite for skiing and snowboarding, the mountain offers tubing in the winter and hiking, mountain biking, chairlift rides, and a summer concert series in the warmer months.
• Windham and Belleayre mountains are both 45 minutes away and you can reach Hunter Mountain in less than an hour.
o Explore numerous waterfalls and well-known hikes like Mount Utsayantha and Pratt Rock (all within a 30 minute drive)
o View Mine Kill Falls’ 80 feet of cascading water at Mine Kill State Park, where you can also hike or mountain bike on its 8 miles of trails, use its boat launch, or enjoy mountain views while taking advantage of free access to the park’s outdoor Olympic-sized seasonal pool. In the winter, the park also offers ice skating, sledding, and snow-shoeing, with equipment rentals on-site. (20 minutes away)
o Visit Howe Caverns, a limestone cave system carved by an underground river over millions of years. The site offers a 1.25 mile, 90-minute walking tour with subterranean boat ride, a 2.5 hour spelunking tour, an escape room experience, and a variety of other activities.
o Enjoy free access to seasonal outdoor pools in Stamford (15 minutes) and Mine Kill State Park (20-25 minutes away). The Olympic-sized pool at Mine Kill State Park is accompanied by a wading pool for little ones and a diving tank for adventurers.
o Browse books of every genre in the town of Hobart, the only "book village" east of the Mississippi River (less than 10 minutes away)
o The variety of destinations accessible within an hour or less include the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Kaaterskill Falls, Ashokan Reservoir, SUNY Delhi, multiple farmers markets, and a number of breweries and cideries.
Despite being surrounded by nature, the home's location provides guests with convenient access to common vacation necessities.
o Within 15 minutes, you’ll find the town of Stamford, with restaurants, groceries, a gas station, a gym (offering multi-packs of day passes), and a Walgreens.
o You can reach Oneonta with its major retailers and restaurants in 30-40 minutes.
The game room: Unleash your inner champion in our game room, a haven for friendly competition and family fun! The game room offers:
o A 6' ping pong table
o Xbox X, including access to more than 25 games through Xbox Live (
o Tabletop air hockey
o Tabletop foosball
o Classic board games
o Magnetic darts
o Toggle toss
o TV with access to a variety of streaming services which guests can use their accounts to access
Other little delights include:
o a reading nook,
o a collection of Catskills-specific books from a variety of genres,
o a coffee bar with a wide range of coffee, tea, and hot cocoa options,
o a propane fire table on the deck overlooking the lake,
o a easy-to-use snow cone machine, and
o a towel warmer to keep you toasty after showers, baths, and dips in the lake.
A few details to note:
Please let us know ahead of time if you would like to use the futon in the game room as a bed. That way, we can make sure to make the bed for you before you arrive!
The house sits at the bottom of a fairly steep driveway. When it snows, this driveway can prove difficult to drive up without the proper vehicle. During the winter, we recommend 4 wheel drive and/or snow tires. If you do not have a car with 4-wheel-drive or snow tires, we recommend parking at the top of the driveway at times when there is a lot of snow.
You are more than welcome to bring your pets. We have pets of our own and understand the joy (and convenience!) that can come with bringing them on a trip to the mountains, so we don't charge any extra fees for this. We do request that you refrain from bringing pets with any issues that could substantially damage the home (major incontinence, chewing walls, etc.), that you ensure that your pets do not leave the yard unattended (or without being on a leash), and that you clean up after your pet after they go to the bathroom.
No loud parties or fireworks, please. Noise travels rapidly (and loudly) across the lake.
We provide Alexa Echo Shows in 2 of the bedrooms, giving you access to time, weather, music, and a USB port. For your privacy, the microphones will be set to "mute" when you arrive. If you wish to unmute so that Alexa can "hear" you, just press the Mute/Unmute button on the top left part of the device.
In terms of privacy, you may also notice that there are two cameras on the exterior of the home. Rest assured that we do not have any cameras inside the home, and both exterior cameras face away from the lake/deck area. We keep them as a security measure, especially for times when the home is not in use.
If you would like to use the propane fire table or gas grill, please make sure to bring propane (and leave it outside of the house as a safety precaution). While guests are welcome to use any propane that is there, we do not maintain a supply of extra propane.
Certain items such as the hammock and sports net will not be available during the winter and early spring months.
This lake prohibits gas-powered boats, helping the community maintain a peaceful and nature-oriented environment. You may use electric trolling motors in the lake, or if you have a gas-powered boat, the boat launch for the reservoir in Mine Kill State Park is just under a half an hour away.
