When you stay at this vacation home in Cragsmoor, you'll be in the mountains, within a 5-minute drive of Minnewaska State Park and Sam's Point Preserve. .This vacation home is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Ellenville Fault Ice Caves and 2.9 mi (4.6 km) from Shawangunk Ridge State Forest.
Shawangunk Ridge State Forest - 7 min drive - 4.6 km
Angry Orchard - 28 min drive - 25.7 km
Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center - 38 min drive - 38.0 km
Resorts World Catskills - 42 min drive - 42.0 km
Getting around
Stewart Intl. Airport (SWF) - 46 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 13 min drive
Morning Sunshine Market - 11 min drive
Dunkin' - 12 min drive
The RDI Bar & Road Kill Grill - 15 min drive
SUBWAY - 13 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Mountaintop Library Getaway
An indoor and outdoor paradise. Some of the best hiking in the world starts right at your door. The entire ground floor is 'great room' with wood stove, bar, open kitchen, full bath. The radiant heated concrete floor of this space used to be where Cragsmoorians went to get their cars serviced. The walls are lined with the owner's extensive library. The front doors open onto a shaded patio with comfortable seating and a well-used barbecue. Upstairs the master bedroom has its own private deck. The second bedroom (we call it the Map Room) has a collection of atlases, hiking guides and maps.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private balcony. A Smart television along with a DVD player are provided for your entertainment. Conveniences include a desk and a microwave.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.
Property amenities
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Video library
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Fenced yard
Firepit
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Desk chair
Printer
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Location highlights
In a rural location
In a village
In the mountains
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Ecotours nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Parasailing nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Sledding nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Unit size: 1,200 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Important information
You need to know
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property is also known as
Mountaintop Library Getaway Cragsmoor
Mountaintop Library; Sams Point House
Mountaintop Library; Winter Weekend Getaway
Mountaintop Library Getaway Private vacation home
Mountaintop Library Getaway Private vacation home Cragsmoor
Mountaintop Library Getaway Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 32 reviews
10 - Excellent
22
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 32 reviews
8 - Good
7
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 32 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 32 reviews
4 - Poor
1
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 32 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
8.8/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
JEREMY S.
14 Sept 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
An eclectic library in a charming area
This is an excellent deal on an interesting place. The location has fantastic views and hikes- it'll be amazing in the Fall!
Colin was very helpful and communication was excellent.
There are renovations ongoing, so the list of property attributes may not be available all at once. Colin was upfront about all of that.
JEREMY S.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Heather M.
24 May 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
This property was amazing! The house was so unique (we loved all of the books) and so welcoming. We’re very much outdoors people and loved the trails so close to the home and how many other places there were to explore really close by. It really was a gem and Colin was a great host.
Heather M.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
10/10 Excellent
Melissa H.
28 Mar 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Interesting house in good location
Great location and the radiant floor was great for the springtime weather! Lots of interesting books and wall art too! Collin was very nice.
Melissa H.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
10/10 Excellent
Julie M.
22 Feb 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great hikes and comfy house
This is a quirky, interesting house with a wood stove and well stocked kitchen. The floor on main level has radiant heat which is quite lovely in winter. We hiked all 5 days and the rest of time hung out and played games. Colin was helpful, easy to communicate with, and provided all kinds of trail maps, area books, and local information.
Julie M.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022
10/10 Excellent
John V.
22 Jan 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Artist’s Retreat
Colin’s space is a truly thoughtful and relaxing manifestation of his own intellect and charm. We were two friends looking to get away for a long weekend of reading, painting, and relaxation. The space was truly inspiring— eclectic, unique, and offbeat filled to the brim with books and visual interest. It truly became a wonderful bungalow for us to nest and unwind. The surrounding area is rich in history and was fun to explore for brief moments we needed fresh air. I can’t wait to come back!
John V.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022
2/10 Terrible
Helen C.
29 Dec 2021
Disliked: Cleanliness
Construction
Construction was in progress. Horrible smell through home. Exposed wires. Hole in one of the bedroom floors. Weights in windows were cut, if my son got them open they would’ve com crashing down. Overall the place was unkept. Definitely not suitable to rent out.
Helen C.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
8/10 Good
Lucy M., New York
26 Nov 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Good location
It was very clean
Lucy M.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
10/10 Excellent
Robert M.
25 Oct 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Great location. Comfortable lodging
This house is a located just over a mile from Sam's Point Preserve and is a short drive to Lake Minnewaska and the Mohonk Preserve. The Shawangunks are spectacular during the Fall foliage season. There are plenty of beautiful vistas when hiking or biking. The house looks rundown and overgrown on the outside, but is very comfortable and clean inside. The owner has created an interesting space with an eclectic collection of books, movies, pictures and nick knacks which you could call an "organized clutter". Its fun to look around the house.
Robert M.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
10/10 Excellent
Krista G., Baltimore, Md
22 Oct 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Charming house!
We loved our stay in this house! It’s cozy, warm and charming. The house was clean and the kitchen had everything we needed. Wifi worked great. The heated concrete floors were wonderful! The owner has created a really artsy, eclectic environment that we loved. It’s a beautiful area and the house is close to some gorgeous hiking trails. It’s a very pretty 10 or 15 min drive to a grocery store. We appreciated being able to bring our dogs as well and had some very relaxing morning walks looking at all the beautiful old houses in the neighborhood!
Krista G.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
10/10 Excellent
Tanya M.
6 Aug 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Really enjoyed relaxing!
My husband and I really wanted to find a place to relax with our 6 year old daughter, and this was perfect! There was plenty of privacy, both in the front and back. She had enough space to play, and enjoyed the fun little paths in the front. Books, books & more books everywhere - I thought that was spectacular! Little balcony off the main bedroom was great for getting some evening air. Colin was very nice and easy to deal with as well. It was a very nice getaway from the busy city!
Tanya M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
4/10 Poor
Jeffrey G.
28 Jul 2021
Disliked: Cleanliness
Surprisingly deficient
After reading reviews of this property I was surprised how dirty and dangerous it was. The outside grounds were horrible. There was garbage overflowing the pail onto the ground when we got there. We could not sit outside on the rusted furniture with a hatchet sitting outside. The inside had exposed electrical wires in the bedroom with a non working sink. The paneling on the wall by the stairs was falling off regularly. The downstairs bathroom clogged and was unusable for the trip. The second bedroom was a futon not an actual bed. There was a room upstairs that if I had children would have been very dangerous. Overall the house had all the basics for living in but was very dirty. I have stayed at other Vrbo properties that were nice and clean. I can not say that about this house. The location was great for what we wanted to do in the area but for anyone staying here understand the house has cleanliness and safety issues.
Jeffrey G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Vernon M.
18 Jul 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect weekend getaway. Nice mix of things to do nearby and close enough to the city.
Bring your hiking shoes and camera.
Vernon M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Stephen W.
30 May 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Hiking Cabin in Small Town NY
We loved staying at Colin’s Cabin; it was unlike any upstate experience we’ve had. Say goodbye to bougie overpriced towns with no character; nearby Ellenville has great shops and surprisingly good food. The hiking from the cabin is astounding and truly world-class. It’s remote enough that you feel out of the clutches of city life, but close enough to other houses that it feels like a small town.
The house itself has so much character. It’s an old place, to be sure; the floorboards squeak upstairs and there’s a large wooden beam going right through one of the bedrooms. To us, these qualities made us fall deeper in love with the place, like we were staying in a house whose walls themselves have stories.
I highly recommend this listing for campers and hikers who want a place to act as a home base for outdoor excursions; or for creatives looking for an inspiring getaway to get some real work done; or for anyone who prefers a homey, intimate feel over perfunctory luxury.
Stephen W.
10/10 Excellent
Jack W., Maplewood, NJ
30 Mar 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Mountain Getaway
My wife and i were looking for a place to get away to for a few days to just relax with our dog and do some hiking. Colin's place turned out to be the perfect spot for us. The house is warm, clean and comfortable, and the book collection is AMAZING, especially if you love history, art, design, and architecture as we do. I can't imagine a better location for hiking. You can literally walk out the door and be on a trail in just a few minutes, and Sam's Point Preserve is a very short 1.4 mile drive down the road. Colin was very friendly and gave us some excellent suggestions and hiking directions. It was still a little too icy and slippery for us to do as much hiking as we would have liked, but we hope to come back in the summer and do much more. We really enjoyed our stay and are grateful for Colin sharing his place with us.
Jack W.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021
10/10 Excellent
sebastian p., usa
16 Mar 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
Host was helpful and kind, great wood burning stove and incredible surroundings, specially Sam s point, planning to go back this summer
sebastian p.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021
10/10 Excellent
noriko u.
23 Feb 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Winter Wonderland
This house really had a unique character and charm.
Even though we could’ve stayed indoors the whole time and watched the snow outside, we were literally 5 minutes from Sam’s Point, which was a short and fun hike.
The house is also very close to a beautiful stone church and Awosting Falls in Minnewaska State Park.
Colin is a very kind and friendly host!
noriko u.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021
10/10 Excellent
Adam J.
5 Feb 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Winter getaway
My wife and I had a great stay at 5 Sam's Point Rd. I'm not sure I could have conjured a better house - eclectic furnishing, a roaring wood stove and a library that could keep you reading for the rest of your life! We hiked great trails that were literally minutes from the front door. Would come back in any season.
Adam J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
8/10 Good
Edward R.
29 Jan 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy Christmas
Very cute and quaint location for a winter stay.
Edward R.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020
10/10 Excellent
Patrick S.
23 Jan 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
The place was great. Cozy, nearby to great trails with a homey wood stove. Colin was super helpful, pointing out nearby attractions. Definitely recommend.
Patrick S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
8/10 Good
Yuliya C.
26 Dec 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy place
The house was warm and cozy in December. We liked the wood-burning stove, the warm floor, the open floor plan, and the way the sun filled the rooms. The house is old and a little creaky. The mice are still a problem, but we were ok with it. Colin is trying to solve it. The house is also historical, full of books and interesting maps and posters. The town is tiny and quiet, with no stores right there. It's just a five-minute drive to Sam's point and 10 minutes down the mountain to a bigger town. The Bear Hill Reserve, which is a 15 minute walk away, was officially closed, but we saw tracks from snowshoes and cross-country skis, so locals still use it. Overall, we enjoyed our stay.
Yuliya C.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020
8/10 Good
Rosa M.
9 Dec 2020
Beautiful area
Overall a lovely stay- the area is gorgeous and it’s walking distance to lots of great hiking! I also really enjoyed the wood burning stove. The house has a lot of interesting stuff- which is cool, but also feels a little cluttered. There was also a fair amount of mouse activity while I was there!
Rosa M.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020
6/10 Okay
Paul G.
26 Nov 2020
Not too bad
House was very charming the grounds could use some cleaning up but otherwise it served its purpose
Paul G.
10/10 Excellent
Kerry L.
19 Nov 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Getaway
We enjoyed our stay at this getaway with plenty of amenities. Relaxing and fun. Loved the fire burning stove, books and furnishings.
Kerry L.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020
8/10 Good
Michael M.
1 Nov 2020
Unique House in Great Location
This property is located near scenic byways and within walking distance of popular hiking trails and overlooks. We enjoyed strolling the surrounding roads and the brilliant fall foliage. The Owner provides guides and personally-drawn maps to the best nearby attractions. He promptly responded to all our questions, and was friendly and easy to work with.
The house is quite unique. The open plan first floor is full of light and books, and the kitchen is very well equipped. It took a few tries to figure out the many light switches throughout the house. The sofa was uncomfortably worn out. Dealing with the diagonal beam in the bedroom was a challenge; it's directly over the bed as well as a tripping hazard (be careful if you have to get up in the middle of the night!) The two second floor decks were under construction, and the yard was cluttered with debris.
Michael M.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2020
8/10 Good
Madeleine d.
26 Oct 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for October
This is such a fun quirky little house with all the amenities you could ask for. The location is perfect for a spooky Halloween stay—with the heavy fog in the mornings, bright red and orange trees and the graveyard behind the property, my friends and I were able to escape the worries of COVID and ran around pretending to be witches—it was pretty spectacular. Colin is a very responsive and understanding host, and I appreciate him letting us take a weekend to open our circles and see some friends after isolation. Thank you!