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Submission
**About**
We operate a small working farm on our 50 acre property. Approximately 7 acres is cleared fields where we grow hemp, pigs and chickens. We are at the end of a dirt road with private access and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. If you decide to stay with us we can guarantee you your own private tent site to get away from it all, or a beautiful spot to park your van, car or small camper, all while still being only 10 minutes to the amenities of town, 15 minutes to world famous mountain biking at Kingdom Trails, or 20 minutes to breathtaking Lake Willoughby.
**Learn more about this land:**
We have two private tent platforms located in a mature mixed hardwood forest on our 50 acre property, as well as one van/small camper/car camping site located on the edge of our field.
Each tent platform site includes an elevated and level 10'x12' cedar tent platform, a picnic table, and more privacy than the car camping site. Parking is less than a 1 minute walk from the platforms down a well maintained woods road and gorilla carts are available to help haul your gear.
Many guests who wish to stay right next to their cars choose to car camp on the edge of the field in the car camping site, either pitching a tent or spending the night in their small camper. The views from this site are breathtaking, but it has less privacy as it is located next to the communal firepit, and amidst our working farm so we will occasionally be around doing chores, (the chickens and pigs are early risers).
The communal fire pit has a great view and a few chairs are provided. Seasoned firewood is available for purchase, and we ask that you please do not harvest or burn your own wood off the property. Potable drinking water and a portable toilet are also available onsite for our guests. Well behaved pets are welcome, but must remain on a leash to ensure they do not disturb our plants or farm animals. We are at the dead end of a gravel road and can guarantee complete privacy and seclusion if you are looking to get away from it all, yet still be located conveniently within 10 minutes of Lyndonville, 15 minutes to Kingdom Trails and East Burke, 20 minutes to Lake Willoughby, and at the doorstep to the beautiful wilderness of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom!
We visited this location recently thinking that it was still a petting farm. It's not!
Fortunately, the hiking trails, Forest Playground, Storybook Walk and Mud Kitchen were enough for my two-year-old to forget about petting animals.
The farm is beautiful and so are the trails. And there is a big long-horned cow and a goat that you can visit (we didn't make it that far).
If I hadn't gone with the expectation of visiting a petting farm, I would give the farm five stars.
The farm is located right next to the Grafton Cheese shop, where they will allow you to same any cheese you like! We sampled a few varieties and stocked up on cheddar while we were there.
Horrible! All this place does is try to normalize animal farming to children. Forget climate change…look how life on a farm is so great… these animals are just so happy they want you to take away their babies so you can have their milk. And they are so happy to end their lives for you to eat them.
My advice is to avoid this place and everything it stands for.
If you're camping at Fort Dummer State Park and want something to do, Retreat Farms is the perfect location to spend time with your family in nature. As a non-profit, the farm is open to all, and still is well-maintained with lots of activities.
Kids can spend time climbing the slackline and petting the famous goats and ox. Parents can hop over next door to the cheese shop for some delectable trinkets. There's community events such as food trucks, live music, and tours happening often, so take a peek at their website before you head over. For those who want a bit more of an active visit, there's miles of well-kept trails all around the properties.
Definitely worth a visit and a donate to keep this excellent place alive and buzzing!
I found myself pleasantly surprised by the offerings at the food truck roundup. The music, the atmosphere, and the cuisine were lovely. It was quite the crowd for a rainy day. I was delighted to see how much more this venue has to offer, as well. Thank you!
We visit at least yearly from MA. Our 5 kids love it here. We’ve enjoyed ice cream, lemonade, exploring the trails, seeing the animals especially Carlos) and most of all the nature playground. We can easily spend half a day here exploring. There’s usually a food truck parked too. Definitely worth a visit!
