Easy Weekend Getaway from Washington, DC: River Mountain

This week, I was invited to explore River Mountain, a brand new outdoors-focused retreat just 2 hours from DC. We initially planned to go on Friday night and stay for the entire weekend, but Hurricane Laura threw a wrench in things so instead we drove up on a beautiful Sunday morning to experience the property for ourselves. What we found was a new type of getaway where work, rest, and play come together.

Getting There

As I mentioned, River Mountain is just a quick 2 hour drive from DC, making it close enough for a weekend getaway, but far away enough to feel like a world away.

The last stretch of the drive takes you deep into the heart of the Allegheny mountains and has no cell service, so my primary tip for getting there is to download an offline copy of Google Maps to make sure you don’t get lost. We had a smooth, easy ride and found it with no problem at all.

The Property

River Mountain is situated on 150 acres of beautiful land. It’s nestled in a “bowl” between Warrior Ridge and Tussey Mountain and Sweet Root Creek surrounds the property. It’s also adjacent to a state forest and a major trail, providing great access to hiking, camping, or whatever it is that you’re into.

I loved how much open space you have to breathe and explore. You feel like you have an entire outdoor playground at your fingertips, with hidden spots to discover and enjoy. There are spaces for different activities located throughout the property. Highlights include a renovated 1860 Mennonite barn, a yoga platform, and a hammock “farm” - more on that later!

What We Did

With just a few hours to explore, we started off by taking a tour of the property to understand where everything is located. Brandon, head of operations at River Mountain, led us through and gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the history and an overview of the vision for the retreat. After our tour, we set off on a quick 1.5 mile hike along the trail that borders the property, discovering small fire pits and camp grounds that guests can enjoy during their stay.

The Accomodations

Best part of the experience in my opinion is the glamping cabins. Designed by a local architecture firm, it is easily one of the most interesting and unique accommodations I’ve seen.

Each cabin is equipped with 12 pods that are private guest spaces during their stay. I was amazed at how roomy and cozy each one was. Giant skylights and floor to ceiling windows drench the cabins in light and remind you of the beautiful place you’re in.

I found it fascinating how that the cabins were designed in harmony with our body’s natural circadian rhythms. Like a natural alarm clock, guests wake with the sun over Warrior Ridge and fall asleep gazing at the night sky and listening to the sounds of Sweet Root Creek.

Remote Work

During my tour, I learned the property is set up to be a remote workspace, with high speed Wi-Fi connectivity accessible throughout. They are adding a “hammock farm” to the wooded area near the trail - imagine being able to send emails and do your calls from a hammock! Dreamy.

How Long Should I Go For?

From hiking, to yoga, fishing, and so much more - there is so much to do at River Mountain. We definitely didn’t have enough time to do everything that the retreat has to offer. I would recommend staying a full weekend to have the best experience, or better yet, a full week to work remotely in a unique, beautiful space.

Thank you again to the River Mountain team for the warm welcome and hospitality! Visit RiverMountain.org to learn more and book your stay.

This post was created in partnership with River Mountain, but all opinions are of course, my own.