Everything your group needs to arrive, eat, stay safe, and depart.
Rural, off-grid, and seasonally dynamic. Thoughtful preparation helps.
Getting Here
Behr Road, Trail 17, Bethel, NY 12720. 2.5 hours from New York City.GPS: 41°44'36.5"N 74°54'09.7"W
Parking: Gravel driveway approximately 1,000 feet from Jim Stephenson Road. Pull in and veer right. Park single-file. 3–5 minute walk to campsite. Space for 10–12 vehicles. AWD recommended in wet seasons.
Driving: I-87 North or Route 17 West to Exit 104 (Bethel/White Lake). Route 17B West toward Bethel. Turn onto Jim Stephenson Road, then Behr Road.
Bus from NYC: Shortline/Coach USA from Port Authority to Monticello. $30–$40, approximately 2.5 hours. Uber/Lyft from Monticello to farm approximately 20 minutes, $30–$50. Shuttle coordination available as add-on for groups ($400–$800).
Arrival & Departure
Weekend bookings: arrive Friday 3:00–6:00 PM, depart Sunday 12:00–2:00 PM. Multi-day bookings: arrive Day 1 2:00–5:00 PM, depart final day 11:00 AM–1:00 PM. Single-day bookings: arrive 9:00 AM, depart 5:00 PM. Early arrival available as add-on ($500), subject to availability.
Upon arrival: park, unload gear, walk 3–5 minutes to campsite, check in with coordinator. Before departure: pack out all gear and trash, return rented equipment, complete site walk-through.
What to Bring
Camping: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow. Flashlight or headlamp. Reusable water bottle. Drinking water: bring gallons. Limited potable water on-site pre-well. Personal toiletries and medications. Insect repellent and sunscreen.Clothing: waterproof boots or sturdy hiking shoes (essential; sandals are not sufficient). Layers for 20–30°F swings between day and night. Rain gear even in summer. Long pants for tick protection. Hat and sun protection.
Optional: camp chair or blanket, cooler for food storage, battery pack for phone charging.
Food & Meals
Groups are responsible for their own food unless catering is arranged as an add-on. Kitchen access includes propane grill (3-burner), mini fridge, slope sink, prep tables, basic utensils. Bring all food, cooking equipment, dish soap, and coolers. Propane refills available if planning extended cooking.Cell Service & Connectivity
Inconsistent coverage on site. Verizon and AT&T tend to work better. T-Mobile often has weak or no signal. No Wi-Fi. Download offline maps before arrival.Fire & Safety
Open flames only in designated areas. Never leave fires unattended. Fully extinguish before leaving or sleeping. Fire restrictions may apply in dry periods. Use kitchen propane safely, turn off fully after use, report any leaks immediately.Wildlife
Birds year-round, deer at dawn and dusk, frogs and insects in spring and summer, occasional bears. Store food securely. Do not feed wildlife. Make noise in dense forest. Ticks are present spring through fall. Check yourself regularly. Some plants may cause irritation (poison ivy, stinging nettle).
Leave No Trace
Pack out what you pack in. Compost food scraps in designated areas. Use composting toilet as directed. No trash, wipes, or inappropriate items. Outdoor shower uses rainwater catchment seasonally. Biodegradable soap only, conserve water. Leave spaces as you found them or better.
Nearby
Groceries: Monticello — ShopRite, Walmart, Aldi (20 minutes). Liberty — small stores, gas (15 minutes). Dining: Bethel has limited options, plan to bring most food. Monticello has more variety. Points of interest: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (10 minutes).
Emergency Contacts
On-site: contact host or coordinator immediately. Call 911 for serious medical or safety emergencies. Nearest hospital: Garnet Health Medical Center, Harris (25 minutes). Fire/EMS: Bethel Volunteer Fire Department. Cell coverage is inconsistent. Have a backup communication plan with your group.
We do not call the police. Forest Fringe Farm does not rely on law enforcement for safety. In an emergency, we call EMS, the fire department, or trusted neighbors. For interpersonal conflict, we turn to each other. This is not a policy we arrived at theoretically. It comes from lived understanding that police do not make everyone safer, and the people who gather here know this in their bodies. If you are on this land, your safety is held by the people around you.