Hard Struggle Homestead | Sniffspot
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invoice
FrederickMaryland21703US
4.93131
25Unfortunately this was a rather terrible experience. We ended up having to only use the driveway. There are multiple animal foot traps located on the property. While the owners state in a private message AFTER you book that these traps exist, they mention it is on the neighbor's land. The trouble being that the traps are right smack alongside the property edge so if a dog is on the edge, they get stuck in the trap which was my experience. Luckily I'm savvy enough and have experience with these traps, and my dog has made it out with nothing more than a few scrapes on his hock from where it caught him. Additionally, the grass is completely unmaintained on the "trail" area they mentioned- which made the grass about as tall as me. I am all for keeping the area as natural as possible for wildlife and in fact encourage it, but the only useable portion was the washed out road. I don't mind my dogs running through tall grass, but I'd like to walk down in the trails and fields with them. The directions to the property entrance were outlined well, but once you got up there, it seemed everything hiking wise was actually the neighbor's trap filled property. Regardless of if you yourself do not use traps on the property, please be aware that the traps have made their way to the edge of your land boundaries and even possibly on your land. Will not come back.
25We drove a long way to get here thinking we’d have a fun adventure, but unfortunately it turned out to be really unpleasant. We had a really hard time figuring out where the actual SniffSpot was. The driving directions were fine—took us right to the gate at the bottom of the driveway. The gate was clearly labeled as a SniffSpot. But once we got to the top of the driveway, it was really unclear. The blue marks that denote the neighbor’s property went more than halfway around the circle to the brown structure, which appeared to conflict with the screenshot of the map. We carefully assessed the rest of the circle, but there were no signs or clues on where to go from there. The description mentioned a trail from the top of the driveway, but everything was so overgrown that there wasn’t even a hint of a trail or a path frequently traveled. We were expecting tall grass, but we didn’t anticipate wandering aimlessly through it trying to find any hint of a trail or path down to the stream. It was also unclear which wooded section was part of the SniffSpot, since everything appeared to have a blue mark. I saw the note that the neighbor sets animal traps, so we avoided the driveway and wanted to be sure to stay on the SniffSpot property. I never did figure out if we were wandering in the right place, which is scary. It would be REALLY helpful to mark the trail at the top of the driveway, and some kind of sign telling us which way to go to stay on the property—“sniffspot go this way” or “stay to the right of the structure” or even “go uphill” etc. That would be especially helpful when everything is so overgrown. This could have been really fun, even with it so overgrown, if I didn’t spend the entire time trying to figure out where the property actually was.
55We stuck to the gravel driveway but there was plenty of land to roam and run through. Ary loved it! Definitely have a sturdy pair of shoes on and pay attention to signage. The walk up the driveway is almost entirely on an incline so be prepared for a bit of a climb for the first part of your walk, but going back down is much easier! Will definitely be back to visit again.
55Great spot for our pups, especially the wooded area about halfway up the driveway
55Our dog had a great time!! Excellent property!
55We had such a great time at this spot! It was very secluded and quiet, with just the birds chirping and some occasional deer in the woods. Beans loved exploring and sniffing the area. We will absolutely be coming back!
55This was our first sniff spot! I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I only booked for one hour. However, being regular hikers, I think we will definitely book 2 hours next time for more time to explore. Thanks for sharing your beautiful property! Access was super easy and lowkey. We had a great time!
55Beautiful property, fully fenced with a nice pond. Dog loved running around and wading in the pond.
55Awesome place to get a hike and steps in! The dogs loved exploring the woods!
55The hosts were very helpful. The gravel path/ driveway is clear and uphill.
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David AdamsFounder
Hard Struggle Homestead - Frederick, Maryland #1
Hard Struggle Homestead - Frederick, Maryland #2
Hard Struggle Homestead - Frederick, Maryland #3
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Hard Struggle Homestead

Frederick, Maryland
Unfenced
30 acres
4.93131 Reviews
Member Discount
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Hard Struggle Homestead

Frederick, Maryland
Host avatar
Hosted by Lisa & Mark B.
Member Discount
4.93131 Reviews
Member Discount
Unfenced
30 acres
Hard Struggle Homestead - Frederick, Maryland
Hard Struggle Homestead - Frederick, Maryland
Hard Struggle Homestead - Frederick, Maryland
Fencing

This spot is unfenced

Info provided by host

Note from host

There is high tensile fence on the east side of the property with white fence posts. With a gate that is generally open at the boundary of our property.

Gaps or holes in fence

No gaps

Enclosure

unfenced

Designed for private play

Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit.

Distractions seen/heard from the spot

Other dogsNo

Other dogs

HOST REPORTS

No

“No dogs on site.”

GUEST FEEDBACK

3% of guests saw/heard

Designed for private play

Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit.

Other domestic animalsNo

Other domestic animals

HOST REPORTS

No

“The only animals up here are bees.”

GUEST FEEDBACK

11% of guests saw/heard

Designed for private play

Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit.

Other peopleSometimes

Other people

HOST REPORTS

Sometimes

“No one should be in the area except the owners and rarely potomac edison maintenance crews.”

GUEST FEEDBACK

6% of guests saw/heard

Designed for private play

Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit.

Private entryNo

Private entry

No

Designed for private play

Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit.

Amenities

River, stream or creek

Parkour obstacles

Field

Chairs

Woods

Trash can

Pricing
10 credits per dog per hour

50% off all dogs after the 1st dog

25% off hourly price for 30 min visit

Members get discounts on all bookings at all spots by buying monthly credits!
This spot offers additional discounts.

Learn more
Location

Frederick, Maryland

Description

Complete freedom to roam on 30 acres with a bonus that our land is surrounded by another 200+ acres of electric company owned land with no roads, no cars, no neighbors… just grass and forest. We have a Google Earth picture roughly showing the property lines and the driveway for you to use while exploring. We ask that you please stay out of the treeline to the right of the driveway as you drive up the hill It's the neighbor's property and it's marked by no trespassing signs. There is no house on the property. Just a camper and a shed. Park anywhere on the road or at the big circle at the top (near the farm office.) We have wifi near the brown shed at the top of the road. Wifi: HSH Password: HardStruggleHomestead Be forewarned that our land is on the side of a mountain so the walk up the driveway will be on a slow incline. Your dogs will be tired after this trip, we promise. As of April 1st there are no animals or livestock on site except for a few bee hives on the property. Most often, the owner is not on site but may do some maintenance time to time. If you see him, he will wave hello… Rest assured he will not approach your dogs unless you approach him. We understand reactive dogs.

Cleanliness

100% of guests said this spot was as clean as expected during their visit.

Hazards

HOST NOTE

Uneven ground in the forest - watch your step. You may see wildlife, deer, birds, squirrels, rabbits, turtles or many other forest creatures. There is a colony of honey bees on site fenced in with an electric fence.

Water safety notice

Make sure to practice dog and human safety around water. Read more

Host Rules

Minimum visit length
30 minutes
Max dogs per booking
20
Is the host present?
I generally do not meet my guests
Community safety rules
Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the spot.
Make sure the area is safe and secure before bringing your dog in.
Never enter a spot before your booking start time and never leave late.
Pick up after your dogs. Leave the spot as it was when you arrived.
Always review and abide by spot specific rules.
Unless otherwise stated, restrooms are not available on site.
Booking Policies
Community safety rules
Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the spot.
Make sure the area is safe and secure before bringing your dog in.
Never enter a spot before your booking start time and never leave late.
Pick up after your dogs. Leave the spot as it was when you arrived.
Always review and abide by spot specific rules.
Unless otherwise stated, restrooms are not available on site.

In addition, please make sure to read Sniffspot's booking policies

Booking Policies
Only one booking is allowed at a time at any spot and there is an enforced 30 min buffer between all bookings to ensure dogs in separate bookings do not meet.
This spot is set for Booking, which means you will be instantly confirmed for any booking you request. You will receive the address and access instruction immediately following booking.
Visits can be moved or cancelled up to 2 hours before a visit.
Visits can be extended and dogs can be added throughout the visit.

Before you book

4.93 (131 Reviews)

See all reviews
With comments first
All reviews

Meet your host

Lisa & Mark B.

Joined in January 2023

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Hard Struggle Homestead

10 credits per dog per hour
4.93
(131)
10 credits per dog per hour

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