There is nothing I enjoy more than packing the car, putting Sammy and Gibson in the trunk and going glamping! When we got the opportunity to glamp at Airydale Retreat in Mill Creek Pennsylvania, I was beyond excited. If you don’t know what glamping is, it is glamorous camping. I describe glamping as the perfect mix of “roughing it” and comfort. While you can start a fire and star gaze, you also have a bed to sleep in and a bathroom. I highly recommend glamping for anyone who loves the outdoors but may not want to sleep in a tent. Airydale Retreat is the perfect place for couples, families, and friends to hang out, hike, and explore!
The Drive to Airydale Retreat
The drive from Pittsburgh to Mill Creek is about 2.5 hours, making it the perfect weekend getaway location. We had our car packed and ready to go and left on Friday around 3pm towards Airydale Retreat. The best part about glamping at Airydale Retreat is that they have everything you need from cookware to firewood to bedding. Because the glampsite offers so many amenities, we were able to pack pretty light! The drive out was beautiful! As we drove east we saw beautiful mountains and farms which got us even more excited to escape and relax. During the drive, I used Airydale Retreat’s helpful resources to plan hikes and food, and also took advantage of their Interactive Guide. They also offer a guide to breweries and wineries.
When we first got to our glampsite around 5:30pm at Airydale Retreat, it was obvious that we were going to have a beautiful and relaxing weekend. As we drove towards our hideaway at the glamping hut called “Cardinal 1”, we saw multiple unique glamping units from adorable huts to impressive domes. All of the properties have their own driveways and are far enough apart that each space has plenty of privacy.
Arriving at Airydale Retreat
When we first saw Cardinal 1, the first thing I noticed was that there was a slide from the top deck to the ground! I may be approaching 30, but this made me so excited. We let Sammy and Gibson out of the car and began to unpack our overnight bags and coolers. The glamping hut was absolutely perfect! It was so light and airy on the inside with its wood floors and canvas sides. It was clear every detail of this luxury glamping hut was thoroughly thought out. This glampsite is an Instagrammer’s dream!
It was a chilly evening in the Fall, making the first item on our agenda to start a fire and get cozy. If you know my dogs, you know they were loving this cold weather, but I needed my jacket and a blanket! While we were beginning to make our fire, Airydale’s owner Matt stopped by to greet us. Matt gave us a local delicacy as a welcome gift: moon pies! Matt’s big welcome and delicious dessert was so kind. It was clear he is incredibly passionate about glamping and wants every guest to have the perfect experience. Matt was full of recommendations for us with ideas for places to eat at and trails to explore.
Dinner and Bedtime at Airydale Retreat
Tristan and I love getting creative with camping meals and decided that we wanted to make campfire tacos. This is such a fun meal, and Airydale Retreat made cooking simple with our personal sink, skillet, and propane stove. Our tacos were delicious and we may or may not have snuck a few bites to Sam and Gib, too.
After dinner, we enjoyed the fire and the stars while we made s’mores and ate our moon pies.. The wildlife we heard was like nothing we have experienced before. We eventually made it back into our huts and got ready to sleep. We got cozy under the electric blanket while Sammy and Gibson sprawled out on the cold floor (their favorite thing!)
Morning at Airdydale Retreat
When we woke up, the first thing we did was open up our glamping hut to see the sun come up over the trees. It was the best quiet and peaceful morning. A detail I have not mentioned yet was how amazing the Cardinal 1 bathroom was. I was totally surprised by the running water and design of the bathroom. I think this is the first time I have ever been outdoorsy and cute at the same time because I had the space and hot water to get myself ready!
We only stayed one night at Cardinal 1 and I was so sad to say goodbye, but I know that I will be going back again soon! We packed our things, left a note in the guest book, and said so-long to the most adorable place we have ever stayed in. Just because we were leaving our hut did not mean our Airydale Retreat stay was over. We still had to explore all of Matt’s recommendations!
We started our morning with donuts at Allentown Donuts. This is an Amish establishment that sells donuts a few days a week and closes when they sell out. I truly mean this when I say I have never had a better donut in my life. We we a dozen to try different flavors and bring some home!
Hiking Near Airydale Retreat
Next, we set out for our first hike of the day to the Stone Mountain Overlook. This hike was just over a mile and was a ton of fun for us and the dogs. A majority of the hike was stepping across huge rocks. The view at the top was breathtaking. We pulled out our waters and donuts and enjoyed the view!
Next, we made our way to Raystown Lake. This day was beautiful with blue skies and sun and the lake could not have been prettier. I know that Sammy was dying to jump in! We went to Hawns Overlook for a stunning view of the water and trees below. The birds flying by added even more beauty to the picturesque scene.
After Raystown Lake, we made our way back to Pittsburgh. Although we were only gone for a short time, Airydale Retreat and the surrounding area truly made us feel as though we were able to getaway and relax. I cannot thank Airydale Retreat enough for the amazing hospitality and fun recommendations of things to do and see. Airydale Retreat is the perfect place for couples, families, or a girls weekend!