EVERETT — Bedford County’s own River Mountain is showcased on the cover of the 2023 Happy Traveler Guide, the official visitors’ guide for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“Happy travelers find the intersection of wanderlust and wellness at River Mountain, a lodge and retreat in Everett,” the caption reads. “Return to your best self at one of Pennsylvania’s holistic healing spots.”
River Mountain founder Meghan Gruszynski said that her team initially met the PA Tourism and Marketing team through Bette Slayton of the Bedford County Development Association at River Mountain’s grand opening in 2020. Since then, they have been in touch with updates and progress. “They reached out with this opportunity and we were grateful and honored,” she said.
The magazine, which has a distribution of 225,000 copies across 38 states, and a digital reach of more than 300,000 additional visitors, focuses on wellness and connection this year. The Pennsylvania Tourism Office stated that a recent survey showed that more than half of consumers tend to travel two to three times per year, while 24 percent tend to take four or more annual trips. When asked where they turn for inspiration for their trips and vacations, popular sources included word-of-mouth, tourism websites, and social media platforms.
Gruszynski noted that the theme of wellness and connection was a perfect fit with River Mountain. “River Mountain Resort makes the outdoors accessible for all,” she said. “We believe time in nature and time spent with others in the natural world is so powerful. For people that haven’t been raised in the Ridge and Valley Region or spent much time in nature, having a weekend in the mountains is daunting. We aim to create an inspiring place for guests to stay, participate in a variety of guided outdoor experiences at River Mountain, and enjoy time spent with family and friends.”
“River Mountain is such an incredible resource, not just for Bedford County, but for visitors from around the commonwealth and the country,” Bette Slayton, President and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association (BCDA), said. “It is the perfect example of the incredible outdoor recreation that is available in our region.”
The modern resort features a main lodge, private cabins, glamping yurts and tents, along with amenities like springs, hot soaking tubs, communal lounge areas, hiking trails and campfire pits. It offers a calendar of events throughout the year and is available for booking retreats, meetings and weddings.
River Mountain also collaborates with other Bedford County businesses to offer shopping and dining experiences and create personalized outdoor adventures. In fact, they have partnered with Olde Bedford Brewing Company to create a custom beer called River Mountain Amber Ale that is a favorite with their visitors as well as customers at the brewery.
“Collaborating with River Mountain helps us to support the Pennsylvania economy and offers a high-end experience for both their guests as well as our guests at Olde Bedford Brewing,” Heller said.
Gruszynski said that Bedford County has proven to be the perfect location for the resort. “The stunning beauty of the Ridge and Valley system, the thousands upon thousands of acres of public land, and truly amazing neighbors make Bedford County a dream location for River Mountain.”
“We knew during our first meeting with Meghan in 2018 that River Mountain would be a perfect fit for Bedford County. We’re so glad they landed here!” Slayton added.
About River Mountain: River Mountain is the first-ever glamping retreat, located in Everett, PA. It offers personalized outdoors experiences for every level of adventurer combined with first-of-their-kind luxury accommodations, amenities that matter, and modern remote work-spaces. It features minimalist luxury, stunning landscapes, thoughtful attention to work-life, affordability, and hosts who get it. https://rivermountain.org/
Official press release from Pennsylvania Tourism Office: Pennsylvania Tourism Office Releases 2023 Happy Traveler Guide