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17 Quirky Places To Go Glamping In Donegal In 2024 (Treehouses, Cabins + Lakeside Shacks)

17 Quirky Places To Go Glamping In Donegal In 2024 (Treehouses, Cabins + Lakeside Shacks)

There’s some very quirky places to go glamping in Donegal.

In fact, this stunner of a county is home to a handful of the most unique places to go glamping in Ireland.

From hobbit pods and finely decked out treehouses to cabins, lakeside shacks and more, there’s a little bit of something to tickle every fancy, as you’ll discover below.

The most unique places to go glamping in Donegal

Portsalon Luxury Camping

Photos via Booking.com

The first section of our guide is packed with the most unique and unusual places to go glamping in Donegal, from treehouses and hobbit huts to pods and fancy tents.

Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Lough Mardal Glamping

lough mardal

Photos via Booking.com

First up is arguably one of the best places to go glamping in Donegal for those of you exploring with a group of friends.

Nothing says comfy like a yurt fitted with sheepskins, woollen blankets and fluffed pillows. The yurts at Lough Mardal even have wood burners, too!

Outside of your yurt you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the forests, lake and surrounding countryside.

The Lodge amenity close by comes with a large kitchen, showers and a huge fireplace to bask in front of.

2. Corcreggan Mill

donegal glamping boat

Photos via Corcreggan Mill on FB

Those that visit Corcreggan Mill in Dunfanaghy are spoiled for choice. One of the main attractions here is the 150-year-old railway carriage which sleeps a whopping 16 people in its 5 cabins.

For something a little bit quirkier, there’s The Boat – an en suite ensemble that boasts stunning views of Tory Island and Horn Head.

And for anyone who wants to be closer to nature, there is the Bell Tents, a popular spot for those who wish to sleep under the stars.

This is one of the most popular spots for gamily glamping Donegal has to offer for good reason! You’re a stones throw from plenty of beaches, too!

3. Portsalon Luxury Glamping

Portsalon Luxury Camping

Photos via Booking.com

This next place goes toe-to-toe with many of the best hotels in Donegal – Portsalon Luxury Glamping! Located on the Fanad Peninsula, this luxury glamping site was named one of the best Campsites in Europe in 2019 by Yahoo.

The yurts are rustic enough to feel like you are in nature but with just the right amount of luxuries to make it more comfortable than camping.

Close by is the Fanad Lighthouse and just a mile away is the 3 mile long Ballymastocker Bay, perfect for an afternoon stroll.

If you’re in search of romantic places to go glamping in Donegal with your other half, you won’t go wrong here – it’s worth a visit for the views alone!

4. The Bee Pods

The Bee Pods

Photos via Booking.com

Next up is the Bee Pods – one of many places to go glamping in Donegal with outstanding reviews online!

This cool accommodation is going to have you buzzing… terrible pun, I know! The Bee Pods are situated on Crockahany Hill, which results in amazing views of Rossnowlagh beach and Donegal Bay.

In fact, the location is so perfect that you can explore many nearby attractions such as Donegal Town, Bundoran and Ballyshannon.

You also get a Bee Pod welcome basket on arrival (which thankfully isn’t full of bees). The Bee Pods come with a comfy double or twin bed, modern décor and a wood burning stove.

5. Oakwell Holiday Village

Oakwell Holiday Village

Photos via Booking.com

Oakwell Holiday Village is a peach of a spot in Ramelton, not far from Letterkenny. At Oakwell, you’ve your coice of shepard huts (they sleep 2) and bell tents (sleep 4).

The tents have electricity along with a wood burner and you also get access to a communal kitchen area.

The huts are a slightly more formal affair with a surprisingly spacious interior and some lovely garden views.

If you’re looking for places to go glamping with a hot tub in Donegal, Oakwell Holiday Village will be right up your street.

6. Meadowsweet Forest Lodge

Meadowsweet

Photos via Booking.com

Meadowsweet Forest Lodge is one of those places that I could happily see myself living in. It’s located in the hills of Dongeal near Fintown, well away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The lodge sleeps 7 which, when if you divide the price amongst a group, works out very reasonably. The interior is rustic and cosy and there’s a lovely, spacious garden to chill in on warm days.

There’s a place for a campfire outside and it’s pet-friendly upon request. If you’re looking for Donegal glamping sites that suit a group of friends / a big family, this place is well worth considering.

7. Ade’s River Cabin

Ade's River Cabin

Photos via Booking.com

Locared in Lettermacaward, Ade’s River Cabin is a little slice of rural paradise a stone’s throw from many of the best things to do in Donegal.

It sleeps 2 and boasts stunning views from the patio area and also the little seating area inside. There’s a lake nearby and the cabin has everything from wifi to a washing machine.

It’s also one of the better-value places to go glamping in Donegal, with 3 nights in July coming in at €229.

More popular Donegal glamping sites

Birdbox Donegal

Photos via The Birdbox

The final section of our guide to the best glamping Donegal has to offer is packed with more places to stay that have racked up rave reviews online.

Below, you’ll find everything from a holiday village with a hot tub to an old-school wagon, pretty little pods and more.

1. Arranmore Glamping

Arranmore Glamping

Photos via Booking.com

Situated on the wild and rugged Arranmore Island, the Arranmore Glamping Pods couldn’t be situated in a more scenic setting.

The pods are bright and reasonably spacious, considering their size, and each offers stunning views of the Atlantic and the Donegal coast.

You’ll have to take a short 15-20 minute ferry ride to reach the island, but if you’re looking for the more off-the-beaten-path places to go glamping Donegal has to offer, these are worth a nosey!

2. The Wonderly Wagon

The Wonderly Wagon

Photos via Booking.com

If you ever wanted to step back in time then staying in a traditional bow top gypsy caravan is just the ticket.

The wagon is located on a farm where you can sample local produce as well as explore the streams, lakes and forests that surround you.

The wagon is perfect for a family of four or couple looking for a quirky place to stay. There’s a lovely big garden area and it’s on the same site as the Meadowsweet Lodge mentioned earlier.

3. The River View Log Cabin

River View Log Cabin

Photos via Booking.com

Next up is one of the more scenic places to go glamping in Donegal. This place offers magnificent views out over nearby Lough Foyle. The pods boast double beds, en-suite showe room and a kitchenette.

There’s also a wonderfully maintained garden and an outdoor stove where you can cook, if you like, when the weather’s fine – a BBQ and lake views is hard to bate.

Although it sleeps one, the hosts say that they can add an option for a child, too.

4. Owenea River Rest

Owenea River Rest

Photos via Owenea River Rest on FB

Located in Ardara, Owenea River Rest is home to 4 cabins, each of which offers stunning views out over the Owenea River and the surrounding countryside.

The cabins are well decked out and there’s actually a stand-alone BBQ hut that can sit up to 24 people! One of the cabins is also wheelchair accessible and each has an electric cooker, a sitting room, a bathroom and a bedroom with a double bed.

Oh, and it you’re on the lookout for places to go glamping with a hot tub in Donegal, you’ll be happy to hear there’s two wooden fuelled hot tubs here.

5. Wild Atlantic Camp

Wild Atlantic Camp

Photos via Wild Atlantic Camp on FB

Wild Atlantic Camp is arguably one of the most popular places to try glamping Donegal has to offer. There’s a serious set-up here and you’ll find it in Creeslough Village.

The property overlooks the glorious Sheephaven Bay and it’s a stone’s throw from the likes of Glenveagh National Park.

There are several glamping options available here, from pods, bell tents and a funky looking glamping cabin.

6. The Birdbox

Birdbox Donegal

Photos via The Birdbox

The Birdbox is one of the better-known places to go glamping in Donegal, thanks to it going viral on social media every few weeks.

This place looks outstanding and, judging by the rooms, it lives up to all of the hype. It’s located near Glenties and it’s position offers gorgeous views of Glenveagh.

All amenities are cleverly compacted inside with a kitchenette hidden behind the stairs, small bathroom nestled in the back left corner and a little wood burning stove to provide heat.

There’s a reason this place ranked high in our guide to the best treehouse accommodation in Ireland!

7. The Hobbit Pod

YouTube video

The Cropod is another Donegal glamping pod that’s taken social media sites by storm many time in recent years.

This pod has won numerous awards including the ‘Best Place in Ireland to Get Away from it All’ by The Times back in 2017.

It’s pokey enough inside but the views it offers more than make up for this. You’ve a nice outside area to chill in on fine days or you can soak up the views from the couch when it’s lashing down.

8. Surf School Pods

Dunfanaghy glamping

Photos via Narosa Surf School

These Surf School Pods are located in a quiet garden in the heart of Dunfanaghy Town. These pods make a great base to explore the surrounding area, with Killahoey Beach, Horn Head and Ards Forest Park all close by.

The pods are part of the Narosa Surf School who, if you fancy, will take you out onto the waves on one of the nearby beaches.

They’re also a short ramble away from some great pubs and restaurants in the town!

Donegal glamping: Where have we missed?

I’m sure that we’ve unintentionally missed out on some brilliant places to go glamping in Donegal in the guide above.

If you have a place to recommend, let us know in the comments section below. Or, if you fancy see where else there is to stay in Donegal, check out this guide.

FAQs about the best glamping Donegal has to offer

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from the fanciest glamping Donegal has to offer to the most scenic.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the most unique places to go glamping in Donegal?

The Birdbox, The Hobbit Pod, Corcreggan Mill, The Lakeside Escape and Oakwell Holiday Village are pretty unique places to stay.

Is there glamping with a hot tub in Donegal?

Yep. Both Owenea River Rest and Oakwell Holiday Village have hot tubs on-site (the ones in Oakwell offer great views from the water).

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