Some places are built. Others are earned — story by story, season by season, generation by generation. The Klondike is the latter. Since the 1940s, this mountain house in the heart of Tannersville has been a gathering place for people who understood that the best memories aren't made in perfect places. They're made in real ones.
The legend goes back further than anyone can fully verify — and the locals will tell you the early stories with a knowing smile. What's certain is that by the 1970s, the bartenders from the original Klondike Bar had claimed the house as their own. By 1983, a group of Jersey City Firefighters had bought in, and for decades that followed, nine families — each owning their own room — spent their winters here together. They competed in the Hunter Mountain Fireman's Races, got married, had children, and watched those children grow up on these same slopes. Late nights around the fireplace. Card games that ran too long. Dishes washed by whoever was closest to the sink. That's the Klondike.
Today, the house carries that same spirit into a new era. Spread across three floors with nine bedrooms, two cozy attic rooms, and space for up to 20 guests, this is a home built for groups who actually want to be together. The living room fireplace still anchors the evenings, and out back, a firepit ringed with log seating sits beneath a canopy of trees so dense and green it feels less like a backyard and more like a private corner of the Catskills. Which, in a way, it is.
Step outside and you're already somewhere worth being. The lake beach is just steps away — Rip Van Winkle Lake offering a natural escape when the weather invites it — and Rip Van Winkle Park and Playground sit directly across the street, perfect for families with kids who need room to run. Downtown Tannersville, the self-proclaimed "Painted Village in the Sky" and the highest-elevation village in New York State, is a short walk away. Grab a coffee at Maggie's Krooked Cafe, pick up provisions at the Village Market Deli, or linger over dinner at Tabla Catskills, where the moody lighting and Mediterranean menu feel surprisingly at home on a mountainside. For something more casual, Brave The Flames delivers honest, well-executed comfort food with the kind of easy warmth that fits perfectly after a day on the mountain. And The Pantry on Main is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch that earns every bit of its reputation.
When the slopes are calling — and at this elevation, they call often — Hunter Mountain is just minutes away, one of the closest ski resorts to New York City and a place with its own deep ties to this very house. Come summer, the mountain transforms: hiking trails wind toward Kaaterskill Falls, a stunning 260-foot double-drop waterfall that ranks among the most spectacular natural landmarks in the northeast. The Mountain Top Arboretum, a 200-acre public garden of meadows, wetlands, and forest, offers a quieter kind of adventure year-round. And just 20 minutes out, West Kill Brewing has built a reputation as a destination in its own right — outdoor seating, live music, a food truck, and views of Hunter Mountain that make it easy to lose an afternoon.
The Klondike isn't the Ritz. It never tried to be. It's a house where the stories on the walls are real, the fireplace has been lit a thousand times before yours, and twenty people somehow feel right at home in a space that asks you to show up, pitch in, and make it your own. Come add your chapter provides an upscale experience with services that elevate your stay and save time so you can enjoy every moment. Guests have access to a 24/7 support team and a tech-enabled concierge to book services, such as fridge stocking, mid-stay cleanings, and private chefs. For anything you need (or never knew you needed), we're at your service!
It's no wonder city dwellers flock to upstate New York's Hudson Valley for a break from the daily grind. Its rural beauty and colorful foliage is a beautiful change of scenery. After all, it was here that inspired an entire artistic movement of Romantic painters to capture the area's rolling hills and pastoral setting. View the landscapes in person by hiking the Catskill Mountains, and then head to the farm to pick seasonal produce. Think apple picking in the fall and strawberries in the summer!
Local Attractions: Athens Riverfront Park, Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, Kaaterskill Falls, Olana State Historic Site, Greene County Historical Society, Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Hudson Brewing Company, Dutchman's Landing Park
Home Truths:
- This home allows up to 2 pets for a fee; undisclosed pets brought without approval may result in a $500 fine per pet.
- There is only one kitchen table with eight chairs. There are two bedrooms on the main floor and seven bedrooms on the second floor.
Parking Details:
- Parking is available for 10 vehicles.
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The room configuration is as follows:
Bedroom 1 / Queen bed
Bedroom 2 / Queen bed
Bedroom 3 / Queen bed
Bedroom 4 / Queen bed
Bedroom 5 / Queen bed, sleeper sofa
Bedroom 6 / 2 Queen beds
Bedroom 7 / Queen bed
Bedroom 8 / Queen bed, sleeper sofa
Bedroom 9 / King bed
Attic 1 / Queen bed, full bed
Attic 2 / Queen bed
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This is a smoke-free property..
As part of our commitment to being good neighbors, occupancy limits and quiet hours (9pm-8am) are strictly enforced. No speakers or sound systems will be provided for use in our properties. Violation of any noise ordinances will be subject to fines that can reach up to $10,000 per violation.
Events or parties are not allowed without prior written approval and an additional fee. Any unauthorized parties or events will be shut down and a fine will be assessed. Please inquire for more information about our event policies and fees.
IDs will be requested for verification after booking. All bookings over 28 days require a security deposit.
We report and prosecute all Credit Card Fraud.
Pets - allowed