GUEST INFORMATION
Heron Pond Hideaway
After booking your stay, be sure to check out the following page to get the inside scoop on what to expect and how to prep for your stay! We’ve included everything from check-in/check-out times and cabin policies to handy packing tips, a list of awesome amenities, and answers to all your burning questions. Plus, don’t miss our top recommendations for things to do in the Adirondacks—there’s so much to explore!
Get prepared for your stay
What to Know:
CHECK-IN:
5PM – Summer (mid-June-Labor Day)/ Same Day Rentals
4PM – Fall/Winter/Spring
Self-check in is easy and seamless
check-out:
10AM – Summer (mid-June- Labor Day)/ Same Day Rentals
11AM – Fall/Winter/Spring
Guests are responsible for a light picking up before checking out to assist our cleaners and ensure our home is ready in time for the next guests.
SUNCREEN & BUG SPRAY
FIREWOOD
TOWELS FOR BEACH/ HOT TUB
ICE FOR LARGE GROUPS
SANDWICH BAGS
fishing gear and license
THINGS TO DO in the ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS | NORTH CREEK, NY
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Just a few of our favorite things
Looking for things to do in the Adirondacks? Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or something in between, our central location offers something for everyone—regardless of age, group size, or energy level. From hiking and kayaking to exploring charming towns and cozying up by the fire, there’s no shortage of things to do. Below are some of our favorite activities, but we’ve got plenty more up our sleeve. Once you book, we’ll send you the full list with plenty of insider knowledge, or you can always reach out by email to get the full details!
Your home away from home!
The Moxham Mountain Trail is a 5.3-mile round-trip hike that’s moderately challenging, typically taking about 3 hours to complete. The trail offers stunning overlooks, with the most spectacular views from the 2418-foot summit. As you climb, you'll pass multiple scenic viewpoints, including one with a great view of Gore Mountain. The trail features a steady ascent with various overlooks along the way, and the summit provides a perfect spot to rest and enjoy the breathtaking views.
In the summer, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard at Donnelly Beach and explore the three islands on Minerva Lake. The area also offers a sandy beach with lifeguards, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, picnic tables, food stands and grills. In winter, bring your ice skates for free skating or a pickup hockey game on Minerva Lake when it’s frozen, or at the outdoor rink under the pavilion at Donnelly Beach.
Of all the things to do in the Adirondacks in winter, New York's largest ski resort, Gore Mountain, is probably the most popular. The resort offers year-round activities from skiing, terrain parks for snowboarding, and the infamous Nordic Center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In the off-season, take a skyride on the scenic gondola, hike 14+ miles of trails or take your mountain bike up the skyride and pedal back down. Play a round of disc golf at the Airbender Woods course or attend the Mountain Master Craft Series with live music and local artisan items for sale.
Fun for all ages, take a tour of the world’s largest garnet deposit, find your own garnet, learn how it’s cut and make your own jewelry.
The Hudson River Gorge is rated one of the top whitewater rafting runs on the east coast. It’s no wonder: the water is exciting, beautiful and the scenery is pristine. Fun for ages 6-8+ depending on time of year and class of rapid. These are a few highly recommended vendors:
Northcreekrafting.com
Squareeddy.com
Beaverbrook.net
Explore downtown for a variety of locally made and curated goods, from art and antiques to home goods, chocolates, coffee, and ice cream. Don’t miss the Hudson River Trading Company, a local favorite! When hunger strikes, enjoy several wonderful restaurants, including one led by a talented contestant from Hell's Kitchen. Visit North Creek's website for all of the details.
One of our family's favorite things to do in the Adirondacks in the Fall is ride a 2 or 4 person railway bike along the Hudson River and through the Adirondack forest canopy. But don't worry if you cannot come in the Fall. It's open most of the year! In fact, in the summer, you can even add on a 1.5 – 2 hour lazy river tubing trip for extra fun!
In our opinion, the Natural Stone Bridges and Caves are one of the most family-friendly things to do in the Adirondacks as it's interesting for adults and kids alike. Walk the 3/4-mile self-guided nature trail to explore Sawmill Site Waterfalls, Artists' Gorge, potholes, and surface caves. Descend through Stone Bridge, the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern US, to lighted caves with raging water or dark pools. The trail has over 500 stairs and takes 45-60 minutes. Your ticket also includes access to two hiking trails with stunning Adirondack views. Families can enjoy a playground, climbing wall, and Dino Dig, with other activities available for a fee.
For a real adventure, sign up for the guided 3-4 hour spelunking cave crawl. In winter, explore 14.5 miles of snowshoeing trails, or experience the annual Stone Bridge Caveman 6K and 15K Extreme Snowshoe Race.
The North Creek area is a fisherman’s paradise with some of the most under-fished waters in the East! The town of Johnsburg is at the edge of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness and the Upper Hudson River. Bring your own gear, pick up some bait at Crossroads, and find a remote pond, stream or river for great brook trout fishing. John Pond, Clear Pond, and Thirteenth Lake are also fishing hot spots for more trout. Fishing licenses are required.
Built for the wealthy Pruyn family, Camp Santanoni opened its doors to guests in the spring of 1893. Nestled within the nearly 13,000-acre Santanoni Preserve in New York’s Adirondack Forest, this National Historic Landmark is one of the earliest examples of an Adirondack Great Camp.
Today, visitors can explore the historic retreat much as the Pruyns originally envisioned, while enjoying the outdoor recreation the family cherished. Camp Santanoni is open year-round—snowshoe the trails on a self-guided tour in winter or join a guided tour during the summer and select times in the off-season. For a bit more adventure, rent a bike and pedal your way to the Lodge, five miles from the parking area.
Lake George is a popular vacation spot in the Adirondacks and we often get asked the distance from there to the cabin (~45 min). While we find it a tad touristy, it's still a great place for a day trip if you're seeking a specific event or destination!
FAQ's
Your Questions Answered
Absolutely! Our cabin is the perfect place for families to come together and create lasting memories—just like we do! As a large family ourselves, we’ve designed the space with every age in mind. From the treehouse and basketball court to the swimming pond and endless outdoor adventures, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Inside, you'll find an assortment of fun toys for both adults and kids, plus baby items to make your little ones feel right at home. We want you to experience the joy of family time in a place where laughter, play, and togetherness are always welcome!
We love animals, but to ensure the comfort of all our guests, we ask that pets remain at home during your stay. Thank you for understanding!
Large events are not permitted, but small gatherings may be possible. Please reach out to us with the details, and we’d be happy to discuss your plans and see how we can accommodate you!
At this time, the hot tub is not open during the warmer months from June 1- Labor Day. We hope to keep it open year-round soon.
No. Our home is naturally cool and comfortable, even without air conditioning. With nighttime temperatures typically in the 60s or lower, we encourage you to open the windows when it's cool to let in the fresh mountain air. During the day, simply close the insulated shades and windows, and you'll find the house stays pleasantly cool. Thanks to its shaded setting and higher elevation in the mountains, our home enjoys a refreshing breeze from the pond that adds to the comfort. Plus, we’ve got fans in each bedroom—either ceiling fans or oscillating ones—to ensure you stay comfortable all day and night.
We provide a large amount of wood, but since we can’t guarantee it’s been kept dry by previous renters, you might want to bring your own or purchase some from local vendors. You’re also welcome to gather fallen sticks and branches from the woods.
In the cooler months, we provide a handful of seasoned logs for the wood stove to get you started. If desired, bring or buy more—just 3-4 pieces will keep the warmth going for hours.
Cancellations can be made up to 45 days before check-in for a full refund. If a cancellation is necessary after that period, we will make every effort to re-rent the property. If we are able to secure a new booking, any refund provided will be adjusted based on the difference in the rental price, including any applicable hosting fees from other platforms or if the property is not rented for the full duration or number of guests originally booked. We will do our best to accommodate you, but the refund will depend on the success of re-renting the property.
Early check-in and late check-out may be possible, depending on availability. Please reach out to us to confirm that there are no back-to-back bookings. If it’s just an hour or so, it’s usually no problem, but for extended requests, there may be a small fee. We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs!
We accept payment by credit card, check, Venmo or Zelle. There is a processing fee should you choose to pay with credit card.
We are lucky to have a variety of stores nearby! Just contact us and we'll email you a list.
Absolutely! Reach out to us and we can send you our favorites or make a recommendation if you have a specific need.
We’re available to assist you on weekends and evenings, so if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. For true emergencies or urgent late-night needs, the great thing is that our caretaker lives on-site and is always available to help. You can rest assured knowing someone is nearby to take care of any issues that may arise.
We frequently ship items to the cabin, so it's no problem at all! Just keep in mind that Amazon shipments may take a bit longer to arrive, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Also, if you’re expecting a delivery, please let us know so we can keep an eye out. Sometimes, the mail carriers place owner packages in a different location, and we’ll make sure to get it to you as soon as it arrives!
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