Frequently Asked Questions

Bellfire offers a small collection of artist-built cabins and canvas camps tucked across our 10-acre property. Each has its own personality and private outdoor space, with a fire pit, grill, picnic table and Adirondack chairs. Visit our Camps & Cabins page to explore each stay and find the one that's right for you.

Bellfire is a seasonal retreat, open from May through the end of October. Our camps are designed around the warmer months and the changing seasons of the Catskills. Sign up for our newsletter for early access when reservations open for the next season.

Not at all! No camping experience is necessary. Bellfire is designed to make spending time off-grid comfortable and approachable, with real beds, private composting toilets, drinking water, cooking essentials and many of the comforts you need already waiting for you. Think of it as a gentler way to experience life outdoors — just bring a sense of adventure.

Very. Bellfire has just a handful of camps spread across 10 acres of wildflower meadow and maple forest, with plenty of space between them. Each camp has its own private outdoor area, so you can settle in, slow down and feel like you have your own little corner of the Catskills.

Yes, and we have not met one that didn’t have an absolutely magical time. By booking a stay here you agree to ensure that children are always supervised around the stream, any heat sources both within and outside the sites, e.g. stoves, fire pits, grills, sauna, cold dunk tank located outside of the sauna. Please note that children are not allowed in the sauna.

Yes, well-behaved pets are welcome at Bellfire. We allow up to two pets per camp for a $50 pet fee per stay.

Here are a few pet rules to help keep things comfortable for everyone:

• Please pick up after your pet.

• Don’t leave them unattended inside the cabin or tent.

• Keep your pet on a leash or contained when outside.

• If your pet sleeps with you, please use the waterproof bed cover provided.

• If there’s an accident inside, let us know so we can clean it properly and prevent future issues.

Thanks so much for being mindful—we love hosting animal lovers!

To book your stay, simply visit our booking page, browse the camps, and select your favorite. Choose your preferred dates (please note we have a two-night minimum and no Saturday check-ins). If dates are grayed out, that means they’re already booked.

At checkout, you can also add extras like sauna sessions, pet fees, and firewood. Be sure to enter your email correctly so you receive your confirmation details.

Our standard minimum stay is two nights, but occasionally a single night opens up between existing reservations. These one-night gap stays become available 14 days before arrival, so check our booking calendar if you're planning a last-minute escape.

Check-in is 3 PM and check-out is 11 AM for the Birdhouse and Forest Belle. For the Cosmic Nomad, check-in is 4 PM and check-out is 12 PM.

Want to linger a little longer? A Late Checkout add-on extends your stay by two hours and can be added at checkout when booking directly with us.

If a stay is cancelled up to 30 days prior to check-in date, a full refund will be given to the guest, minus the credit card processing fees. If a stay is cancelled 15 or up to 29 days prior to arrival, a 50% refund will be given to the guest, minus the credit card processing fees. If a stay is cancelled 14 or less days prior to check-in, no refund will be given to the guest.

More info here: Terms & Conditions

Yes. Bellfire is located in a rural part of the Catskills and is best reached by car. There is no public transportation directly to the property, although some guests have arranged private transportation from Albany Airport or the Trailways station in Kingston. If you do, be sure to arrange your return trip in advance.

Bellfire is off-grid, so there are no conventional electrical outlets or running water in the camps. Drinking water and a washing station are provided at each camp and replenished as needed. Camps have limited solar power for lighting and USB charging, and battery-powered lanterns are provided.

There is no Wi-Fi in the camps — intentionally. Bellfire is designed as a place to unplug, slow down and spend some time away from screens. Wi-Fi is available near the parking area and shop when you need to connect, and cell service can be spotty throughout the area.

There is no air conditioning, but evenings in the mountains are typically much cooler than daytime temperatures. Heating options are available during cooler spring and fall nights and vary by camp. Check your individual camp listing for details about your accommodation.

We built a sustainable and green solar heated shower cabin in the wildflower field that is shared by all guests. Please note that since the water inside tank is heated by the sun, the best time to use it would be in the afternoon when the sun has had a chance to warm up the water. Just keep in mind that during colder months like May and October, the water will likely be lukewarm at best.

A composting toilet is a waterless toilet that uses a natural process of decomposition and evaporation — no plumbing or harsh chemicals required. Each camp has its own private composting toilet, which we regularly clean and maintain. Instructions are provided at camp; the most important thing to remember is that paper and other products go in the waste bin rather than into the toilet.

We provide a one burner camping stove, charcoal grill (charcoal not included), tea kettle, drinking water, complimentary coffee, tea, sugar and creamer and paper cups, plates and bamboo utensils as well as a 52qt cooler for food storage. Please bring your own pots, pans and other utensils you might need to cook your meals. If you don’t want to cook, several take away options are available in town.

We provide clean, comfortable bedding, pillows and comforters in every camp. Please bring your own bath towels

We recommend bringing your own towels and toiletries, sunscreen, bug spray, ice for the coolers (coolers are provided), charcoal for the grill, bathing suit if you want to use the sauna, headlamps / flashlights, comfortable shoes, battery packs to keep your devices charged. Tip: download SkyView apps and have fun getting lost in the sky on a clear night.

No. To keep the camps peaceful and immersed in nature, we don't have roads leading directly to them. Park in our designated parking area and enjoy a short walk to your camp — hand carts are provided to help carry your luggage.

Firewood is not included in the price of your stay, but you are welcome to bring your own. You can also purchase firewood here at $10/bundle. Your stay guide also comes with instructions on starting a campfire. 😊

Our spring-fed cold plunge is complimentary for guests, while the cedar sauna is available as an optional add-on for $25 per person, per session. Sauna sessions are private and can be reserved for up to two hours.

Bellfire Glamping is located in a natural wildlife habitat. We have seen bears, snakes, deer, chipmunks, field mice, wild turkeys & foxes. In over a decade of living here we’ve had no incidents, and we’d like to keep it that way. Please do not leave trash outside and please do not leave food inside the tents, to prevent unwanted animal guests.

Yes, ticks are present throughout the Catskills, particularly in wooded and grassy areas. A few simple precautions — insect repellent, appropriate clothing and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors — go a long way. Check out our in-depth article on tick prevention.

Please respect the check-in and check-out times

- Follow camping rules while staying at Bellfire: no littering, do not leave fires unattended, put away food or leftovers and don't dispose of trash or leftovers anywhere else but the designated bins.
- Please do not smoke inside the dwellings.
- No parties or events
- No commercial photo shoots without prior written consent, including creating content for social media to promote products or services.
- Your stay is limited to the guests on the reservation, no day or overnight visitors are allowed.

Further details of these and more information for your stay are in our Bellfire welcome guide that is provided in print at each dwelling.

There’s plenty to explore in our corner of the Catskills, from hiking, swimming and scenic drives to farm stands, vintage shops, local restaurants and seasonal events. You can also learn something from a local with guided nature walks, mushroom foraging and other hands-on experiences.

We’ve gathered our favorites — including plenty of places we send our own guests — in our Things to Do in the Catskills: A Local’s Guide.

Please contact us for group bookings.