Bare-bones camping isn’t for everyone, nor is it for every occasion. Sometimes, you need a little extra support—say, a roomy tent that’s already set up, a real bed, even movies on a projector.
Glamping (or glamorous camping) is a step or two above the basics. Glampers still connect with nature, but with a little extra comfort to make the experience extra special. As Matt Zook, owner of Airydale Retreat, says, glamping has something cookie-cutter hotel stays do not: “Crickets chirping softly. A natural alarm clock of birds singing in the trees. The sounds of a crackling fire.” He also notes the refreshing feel of an outdoor shower, smoky taste of campfire meals, and natural views.
Three companies in Pennsylvania provide glamping experiences with all that and more.
Bigmount Glamping
Big magic, bigger memories
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Jason Bross runs Bigmount Glamping—at 5107 W Canal Road in Dover—on a 170-acre farm that has been in his family since 1976. Bross grew up on the property and took over its management in 2018. With experience in hospitality, he quickly began looking for new ways to create purpose throughout the land.
“It started with rebuilding the barn that burned down,” Bross says. With that project finished in 2018, he started using the venue for weddings and events and later added glamping sites inspired by the fast-growing trend.
The farm has open fields, wooded areas, creeks and rolling hills—something Jason says sets them apart (and makes for a good photo backdrop). The glamping sites are nestled in the woods, and guests can access trails throughout the property, as well as a recently added covered game area with cornhole, giant Jenga, darts and ring toss. Overall, visitors can freely ramble around 120 acres of the property.
Beyond the site, the Conewago Creek runs nearby, and Gettysburg, Codorus State Park, Central Penn Sporting Clays and a range of wine, beer and food establishments are a hop and skip away.
From proposals, mini honeymoons and anniversaries to simple weekends away, Bross has seen a lot at Bigmount in just a matter of a few years. “Several couples got married at the barn and then stayed glamping,” he says.
Bigmount’s safari-style luxury tent sites consist of two tents, allowing a total of four people per site (pets welcome).
Guests can book through the website at bmglamping.com and reach out via the website contact form or @bigmountglamping on Facebook and Instagram. Bigmount is always open to considering special requests, so touch base before or immediately after booking. Self check-in makes the stay easy, and guests can expect even more amenities and stay options as Bigmount progresses.
Photos courtesy of Bigmount Glamping
Airydale Retreat
Where elegant meets earthy
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The glamping concept awakened many fond memories of enjoying time with each other outside
Airydale Retreat, located at 10272 Big Valley Pike in Mill Creek, is a family affair. Matt Zook and his parents, Bob and Ethel Zook, as well as his sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and JD Spicher, all play a role in the glamping operations.
“I wish I could say we had a grand vision for Airydale from day one,” Zook says, “but that’s not the case.” After purchasing a corner of his grandparents’ farm, the family knew they wanted to create some kind of vacation rental. While they had done a lot of traditional camping, the idea of glamping resonated with them.
“The glamping concept awakened many fond memories of enjoying time with each other outside,” Zook says. In 2019, they built their first luxury glampsite, which they dubbed Towhee 1. Today, each of the six sites has a range of amenities, including private bathrooms.
Airydale is named after the village the retreat is situated in. “You could almost miss it,” Zook says about the village. “It just contains a small cluster of houses and an old brick schoolhouse from years ago.”
Airydale carries on the name in its own way. Beyond the village, Airydale is nestled in the Kishacoquillas Valley, aka Big Valley, one of the oldest Amish communities around. It’s also a few minutes’ drive from the well-known Thousand Steps Trail and other outdoor excursions, the Lincoln Caverns and plenty of spots to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger.
On Airydale’s sites, guests get to enjoy their own fire pits, private bathrooms and cooking supplies. Family-friendly glamping sites even come with a twisty slide, and domes open up a couple’s view to the outdoors while still remaining fully sheltered.
While Airydale doesn’t have a formal office for check-in and folks can just head straight to their site, they can expect a visit from the family on their first evening (plus a surprise gift). That family touch is nothing out of the ordinary for Airydale. Zook says, “Chances are that we personally made your bed, split the firewood for your campfire and quite literally built your glampsite.”
Zook relishes in the special memories his guests make at Airydale: the joy of building a campfire for the first time, celebrating an engagement, and even couples dancing by firelight to ukelele music from the neighboring site 150 feet away. To add even more memories, they’re working on adding packages for special occasions. In the meantime, guests can submit special requests with their reservation, and the team will do their best to accommodate them.
The Airydale team is working on a new property that’s located in a more remote area nearby. For now, guests can book sites on the original property through the website at airydaleretreat.com and reach out at info@airydaleretreat.com or @airydaleretreat on Facebook and Instagram with questions.
Photos courtesy of Airydale Retreat
Roam Glamping Co.
Coming to a backyard near you
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What if you put a twist on the traditional luxury glampground? Nathan and Meghan Hare did just that when they launched Roam Glamping Co., luxury camping that comes to you.
The pair dreamt of starting a rustic Airbnb for years. But after they got experience camping as a family in waterproof canvas bell tents, they decided to rent them out—with added bells and whistles.
Roam helps set up glamping in your own backyard for birthday parties, get-togethers, weddings, proposals and more. Have an idea but not sure if it’ll work? The Hares are adventurous; fill out the reservation form, and they’ll do their best to accommodate you. (Filling out the form doesn’t mean that you are required to book. It’s just a way to get the conversation started.)
With design help from Meghan’s sister, Elizabeth Parrett, Nathan and Meghan are part of an ultra-small but passionate team. Being able to provide memorable experiences for special occasions is what drives them.
“One of the most special bookings we had was for a 10-year wedding anniversary,” Nathan recalls. “We set up a fire for them, and it seemed like such a romantic, cozy and unique way to celebrate such a huge milestone.”
They also helped set up a Friendsgiving event, where the host’s friends came in from all over for a night of eating, drinking and playing games. “We often are told that the tent and furniture are even more comfortable than they look in the pictures,” Nathan adds.
With backyard glamping, there’s no one-size-fits-all setup. A projector set, Polaroid camera, yard games, balloon arch and s’mores kit can all be a part of the package if you want—and that’s just the start of what’s possible.
Guests can learn more about Roam and request services at roamglamping.co. Get in touch at contact@roamglamping.co or via Facebook or Instagram @roamglampingco.
Photos courtesy of Roam Glamping Co.
For the rugged and indoor enthusiast alike
Glamping is a middle ground between the ultimate outdoor experience and a cozy night with loved ones. In Pennsylvania, it’s a trend that’s taken on a life of its own—and if Bigmount Glamping, Airydale Retreat and Roam Glamping Co. are evidence, it’s here to stay.
