Lovingly restored by the great-granddaughter of the original owners (Leslie Clement), this unique historic cottage still retains many original details and decorations - visitors say they feel like they’re stepping back in time. There are lovely leaded glass windows, richly stained wood walls, beautifully faded oriental rugs and original china.
There is a tidy new country kitchen with reclaimed porcelain sink, new gas stove, fridge, microwave, dishes and utensils.
Upstairs are two bedrooms each with a double bed (new mattresses and linens), wide pine floors, and country décor. And at last --- after 100 years of our relatives using an outside “privy” back when this was just a summer “camp”, we have a bathroom -- clawfoot tub with shower hoop and beautiful vessel sink on original ladies wash vanity. Towels and soaps provided. The bathroom window offers the best view of the mountains.
There are treasured family hand-me-downs as well as odds and ends which nobody felt comfortable throwing away. Like all family camps, there are bits and pieces of everyone who came before; wooden floors record the scuffs and scratches of generations. There are many photographs showing life at “camp” since the turn of the century. All this gives this Adirondack cottage its own special personality, a unique sense of space --- a treasury of feelings, sensations and memories of family and friends.
The house sleeps four to six comfortably: there are two bedrooms each with double beds. On the glassed / screened-in porch is a single daybed, and in the living rooms there is a comfortable couch.
Read more about the history of Bird Camp …
RECENT REVIEWS
We loved the cool little compound of cottages and glamping tents. The cottage itself was a blend of Adirondack rustic and historical Victorian with more of the latter. The space feels like a piece of living history with lots of antiques and a blend of decor. The house definitely could be an exhibit in a museum.
Wonderful respite from the craziness of the world. Beautiful, peaceful location. We stayed in Bird camp which was, clean, funky, antique, cozy, and relaxing. Great fire pit outside, barbecue, and hangout space. Can walk a very short distance up the gravel lane to partake in freshly made flatbreads and meet some of the other guests or stay completely to yourself and relax in your own space. Cooked a few meals in the kitchen which had everything we needed, if missing anything Leslie will hook you up in no time. Highly recommended.
Cozy, hospitable, fun, Adirondack camp experience. We loved our stay at Leslie's Bird Camp with our three children ages 1, 5, and 8. We stayed for three nights and had her delicious pizza two nights. The Bird Camp is very comfortable. The beds are doubles but I found them comfortable. Bathroom and kitchen are very comfortable and lovely. There are dishes and pots and pans in the kitchen. The whole camp feels like you are stepping back in time. Our kids enjoyed the VCR and movies and we enjoyed teaching them how to rewind since they had never done that before. The kids loved exploring the property and ate the tiny apples and climbed in the apple tree. We also found black raspberries which we loved. We went to the Garnet Mine, to 13th Lake (great spot to picnic and swim), and we also loved the goat farm and we also went to Toad Hill Maple for some yummy maple syrup and maple cream to remember our vacation.
This is a magical, private compound set high on a ridge, with multiple dwellings on one property, and a genuine old-school, rustic Adirondacks vibe. Leslie is an amazingly kind and gracious host... we needed to bring our dog last minute, and she even offered to have her daughter pet sit for us! She was very responsive to every query but also gives guests their space and independence. I would highly recommend this listing for a family stay in a great location.
Leslie was a great and welcoming host and her cottage was perfect for our last night before heading home. Wonderful, historic, rustic cabin that perfectly filled the bill for that night. Great location relative to hiking and water adventures and a great place to experience rural beauty.
We had a great stay at Bird Camp. The cottage is definitely rustic, but it is charming. I appreciated the old photographs that told the history of the place. You can tell the building means something to Leslie, as she has taken great care to keep it as a traditional old camp. The kitchen is well stocked with tools, pans, and dishes, and has basic necessities but you'll want to do some shopping if you plan to cook. Beds were comfortable and shower strong and hot. We enjoyed the family friendly videos on our one rainy day, and appreciated the wifi too as our phones didn't work so we could keep in touch with family and do research on our local wandering. If you like camping and living a bit off the grid, then you'll love this place. If you like more modern amenities, you may not appreciate all the quirky, quaint qualities that make Bird Camp special.
A true gem of upstate New York. We were warmly welcomed by Leslie's sweet dog, Sammy, who showed us to our parking spot! Bird Camp is even more wonderful in person than in the pictures! I have never felt more at ease, surrounded by beautiful woods and fall colors and good company, in awhile, especially coming from New York City. I plan to return soon, hopefully once a season, as it is a beautiful place to experience the changes!
We were a group of of 4 visiting Adirondacks over the Labor Day weekend. We had a great time staying at Bird Camp. Very cozy and comfortable and comes with everything you need. The view was great and it was a delight to gaze at the stars over a bonfire that the hosts helped us get started. There is a nice picnic table with barbecue grills on the property that was fun to use.