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The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway

Photo gallery for The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway

A park with a swing set, a small boat, and a pond surrounded by trees.
A bedroom with a wooden headboard, a bed with striped bedding, and two bedside lamps.
A bedroom with a large sliding glass door leading to a backyard with a wooden playset and a pond.
A living room with a sofa, coffee table, bookshelf, and a television.
A living room with a sofa, coffee table, bookshelf, and a television.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • A quiet escape
    Guests like the location for the peace and quiet.
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View in a map
Tillson, NY
  • Place, Rosendale Trestle
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Rosendale Public Library
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Century House Historical Society
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Newburgh, NY (SWF-Stewart Intl.)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Common area 1

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway

Come stay in our Cozy Bear Den at the Blue Heron Watch! A magnificent natural oasis well setback from the road with a wonderful stream fed pond. Take a short walk or bike to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. Pop over to Rosendale(3 min) or New Paltz(10 min) villages. With so many great outdoor activities in the area this lovely well appointed unit is a great home base, or dont go anywhere and commune with all "the Heron" has to offer. Wildlife abounds here and we welcome you to share in it!

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Do dishes No shoes inside Strip bed

Important information

You need to know

Property # 2790947vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Tillson

Located in Tillson, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Historic Huguenot Street and Huguenot Street Historic District are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Ulster Performing Arts Center and Hudson River Maritime Museum. Travelling with kids? Consider Trolley Museum of New York, or check out an event or a game at Loren Campbell Memorial Field. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby fishing, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours, mountain biking and rock climbing.
View more Holiday homes in TillsonOpens in a new window
Map
Tillson, NY

What's nearby

  • Rosendale Trestle - 4 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Rosendale Public Library - 5 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Century House Historical Society - 6 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Historic Huguenot Street - 11 min drive - 11.0 km
  • State University of New York-New Paltz - 13 min drive - 12.0 km

Getting around

  • Poughkeepsie Station - 29 min drive
  • Newburgh, NY (SWF-Stewart Intl.) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Montauk Catch Club - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Upstate Taco - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Six Bells Inn & Feather Tavern - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dry Fly Coffee Company - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is The Bear Den at 'Blue Heron Watch' Nature Getaway located?

This family-friendly Tillson holiday home is located on a lake, within 3 mi (5 km) of Rosendale Trestle, Rosendale Public Library and Century House Historical Society. G. Steve Jordan Gallery and Historic Huguenot Street are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

vatosboy

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay, this property is gorgeous. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
If you are looking for a place to come and be in peace and quiet, this is it. The energy feels good, and the pond out back is a beautiful place to sit and reflect. It is 0.4 miles from the rail trail, so you can easily walk over to access it on River extension road.Jon, the host, is kind and helpful. I will be back.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay in early September- very quiet and peaceful and perfect location for everything we wanted to do. Short bike ride to the Wallkill Valley rail trail, very close to hiking in Minnewaska State Park, and great restaurants were nearby or just a short drive.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Raven S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great communication from our very helpful host. The space was perfect, just as pictured. Cozy, with everything we needed. The town nearby is cute and it was easy to get to. Thanks so much! Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hannah F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay with our 2-year-old. Jon’s property was clean, stocked with amenities, and very accommodating for young children. He even had a pack-n-play set up for us when we arrived. Would recommend this stay for any families traveling to the Hudson Valley!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Yola K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing getaway

Quaint, quiet, and conveniently located
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely cottage feel away from everything but close to the heart of New Paltz. Everything you need in a home-away-from-home. Host was very communicative. This isn't a skiing location (that I'm aware of) and we stayed in October so that question threw me.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jenniffer D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

amazing !

my husband and kids stayed here for a mini getaway from the city - it was amazing , we will be back !!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ken B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely spot

Clean and comfortable, lovely surroundings, good communication -- great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great access to surrounding towns

Property was beautiful, well-maintained and super clean. Jon was really nice and helpful with suggestions, and it provided really easy access to New Paltz, Kingston, and Woodstock.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tatiana v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice getaway place

My husband and I stayed for a week. We enjoyed quietness of the location and the nice view of the pond in the backyard. Hoping to stay there again next year.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent base for a hiking vacation

From the moment we stepped in, we felt at home and relaxed. Our 1.5 year old son loved exploring the garden, play equipment and kitchen, and it was super easy to get around to great hikes, nice towns, and an array of lunch & dinner options. The perfect base for our vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jun, 2023
Thanks so much for staying at the Blue Heron Benjamin! Really appreciate the high marks review 🙏. Best and good health to you all, Jon
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location, Great Host

We truly enjoyed both the grounds and surrounding area. The host's sharing his knowledge of where to go and what to see really enhanced our trip and saved us precious time. We're looking forward to returning in the near future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Oct, 2023
Thanks for your thougtful review Paul! We are so glad you had a nice stay at the Blue Heron and all the best! Jon and Cheryl
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teresa H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean, calm place near outdoor activities

Clean, calm place near outdoor activities. Very good host who was responsive, attentive and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jul, 2022
Teresa and Lou were great guests! Thanks again and best!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anthony A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home and property

My family and I had a great experience staying here. Jon was very communicative, the place was super clean and updated, and the property is gorgeous. Would highly recommend..
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Aug, 2022
Anthony and his family were great guests! They were very good to our place and easy to communicate with. A very easy strong reccomendation to others who would be fortunate to have them as guests!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing location

The host was very friendly and helpful, quick to respond. The pond in the back and the wooded property was very peaceful. The location was great, close to New Paltz and other destination spots hiking farms etc.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Oct, 2022
Dan and his family were very nice guests 😀! They were good to our place and we reccomend them to others.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachel F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

My family had a great stay. It is very family friendly space with a lot of support for babies and toddlers. Comfortably fit three - two adults and one small child. Lovely place to relax and very centrally located to many small towns in the area. Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Aug, 2022
Rachel and her family were great guests who were very good to our place. Super easy reccomendation to others who would be fortunate to host them!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jack G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect long weekend getaway.

Place was super clean, easy to park at, and had everything we could need. The host was super helpful during our stay and very friendly! I would love to come back. The pond in the back is beautiful and there’s tons of wildlife to sit back and watch. It was like a home away from home. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heather C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New York State get away

The area was very peaceful. The house was adorable. Exactly as explained.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charles T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy

Great stay with even better host who made gave us fresh eggs on the first day. They also made sure we always had what we needed. Recommend 10/10.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jul, 2024
Glad to hear you had a great stay. Thanks so much for your kind words. All the best to you and the siblings!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Perfect Upstate Getaway

We were a group of friends (two couples) up for the weekend from NYC. Everything was perfection! The pull out couch was really comfortable, the kitchen was well stocked, the outdoor grill worked great, there was a ton of wood for the fire pit, and Jon was great to communicate with. Waking up to views of the pond and watching the stars at night was lovely. We had a blast and highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

LIZ C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Easy commute to SUNY new paltz

Quite clean comfortable great ac !! Although one cushion on the couch was not a match place was clean and cozy ! Stayed for orientation for our son entering SUNY NP
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jul, 2022
Liz and family were great guests! Thanks for staying at the Blue Heron!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

warren h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A most pleasant venue with very good vibes

Peaceful view of a gorgeous pond from the sliding glass doors of both the bedroom and the living room. A well appointed full kitchen and spacious bathroom. Perfect dining room too.All rooms were clean and cozy. The host, Jon is very thoughtful and exudes kindness. He knows the local trails, restaurants and virtually everything anout New Paltz and beyond. I will return to the Blue Heron!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Oct, 2023
Thanks so much Warren! We are really glad you enjoyed your stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Britt K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent experience!

Straight forward, respectful and clear communication with the hosts. And what a sweet space! We enjoyed observing wildlife at the pond, cooking in the pristinely clean and well-appointed kitchen, getting sound sleep in the quietude of the natural setting. Crickets put us to sleep! Cozy and clean — with a great selection of books in the living room, to boot! Thanks so much for hosting us :)
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Oct, 2024
We are so glad you enjoyed your time at the Blue Heron! We enjoy sharing this special place and really appreciate it. Thanks again, Jon and Cheryl
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A beautiful spot!

We loved our stay here. The place is cozy and clean and had everything we needed to be comfortable. It's all about the back yard though. The pond is beautiful. Surrounded by trees... it's quiet and tranquil during the day but teeming with the sounds of nature at night. The Great Blue Heron flew in and out a few times which was so amazing to see. We built and campfire and enjoyed every second of it. The owners are friendly, helpful and super responsive. I definitely recommend this spot!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Sept, 2022
Kristen and her partner were great guests who took enjoyment at our place and were very good to the unit. Very nice and smooth ineractions and communication. What more could hosts want?! An easy reccomendation to those who would be fortunate to have them as guests!

About the host

Hosted by Jon

Host profile image
Enjoying the Shawangunk Ridge region since mid nineties!

Why they chose this property

The Blue Heron is a little piece of heaven we are gad to share with others!

What makes this property unique

Peaceful pond side setting and surroundings. The sounds of nature abound.

Languages:

English
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