COMMUNITY OR PRIVATE FOREST BATHING RETREATS
Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese practice of forest bathing, join us as we immerse ourselves in nature in a way that invites healing for the body and mind, our fraught ecosystems, and our community.
We’ll quiet our minds, awaken our senses, and restore our relationship with ourselves, each other and the earth with a gentle mini retreat (2-3 hours long) to appreciate the healing benefits of nature. The forest is the therapist. Your certified forest therapy guide opens the door. A series of thoughtfully crafted activities invite participants to experience nature in a new way. It all culminates with a tea ceremony in which your guide will serve snacks and a wildcrafted infusion of local plants. Upon departure, we’ll have an enhanced appreciation for the natural world, and a new practice that we can readily apply in our daily lives.
Community vs. Private
Community retreats are group experiences, open to the public and available at a lower price point. Private retreats are closed to the public and available only to guests of the person booking the experience. Times, dates and location are flexible to meet your needs and group size. Our experiences take place in various locations in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard and surrounding areas.
Partnerships with Retreat Leaders, Educators and Fellow Guides
Are you leading a retreat or nature-based experience? Seeking to amplify and diversify your activities to include forest bathing, nature therapy, or mindfulness? Natural Wanders will guide you on a heart-centered, relational experience. We can also discuss the possibility of visiting your retreat site here in North Carolina, the United States, or worldwide. Email [email protected] for a free consultation on how we can collaborate to create a custom experience to complement your retreat.
Corporate Retreats and Appreciation Events
Nature therapy is a relational experience, deepening our connection with the land, ourselves in each other. Show your employees, donors or volunteers that you value them and their overall wellbeing by gifting them a nature immersion retreat. Forest bathing with a certified nature therapy guide is a wonderful team-building experience. This activity is gentle and adaptable to suit all levels of mobility. Email [email protected] for a free consultation.
Here's a look at the nature immersion retreats we hosted for Friends of the Everglades in Florida in 2024 and 2025.
We’ll quiet our minds, awaken our senses, and restore our relationship with ourselves, each other and the earth with a gentle mini retreat (2-3 hours long) to appreciate the healing benefits of nature. The forest is the therapist. Your certified forest therapy guide opens the door. A series of thoughtfully crafted activities invite participants to experience nature in a new way. It all culminates with a tea ceremony in which your guide will serve snacks and a wildcrafted infusion of local plants. Upon departure, we’ll have an enhanced appreciation for the natural world, and a new practice that we can readily apply in our daily lives.
Community vs. Private
Community retreats are group experiences, open to the public and available at a lower price point. Private retreats are closed to the public and available only to guests of the person booking the experience. Times, dates and location are flexible to meet your needs and group size. Our experiences take place in various locations in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard and surrounding areas.
Partnerships with Retreat Leaders, Educators and Fellow Guides
Are you leading a retreat or nature-based experience? Seeking to amplify and diversify your activities to include forest bathing, nature therapy, or mindfulness? Natural Wanders will guide you on a heart-centered, relational experience. We can also discuss the possibility of visiting your retreat site here in North Carolina, the United States, or worldwide. Email [email protected] for a free consultation on how we can collaborate to create a custom experience to complement your retreat.
Corporate Retreats and Appreciation Events
Nature therapy is a relational experience, deepening our connection with the land, ourselves in each other. Show your employees, donors or volunteers that you value them and their overall wellbeing by gifting them a nature immersion retreat. Forest bathing with a certified nature therapy guide is a wonderful team-building experience. This activity is gentle and adaptable to suit all levels of mobility. Email [email protected] for a free consultation.
Here's a look at the nature immersion retreats we hosted for Friends of the Everglades in Florida in 2024 and 2025.
FIREFLY EXPERIENCES
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We believe the best way to experience the magic of fireflies is slowly and mindfully, in an intimate setting. Let your eyes gently adjust as dusk fades to night. Awaken your senses and immerse yourself in the splendor of a summer evening in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our firefly tours are thoughtfully curated to minimize environmental impact and maximize authentic, awe-inspiring interactions with the deLIGHTful species that illuminate our summer forests.
Western North Carolina is home to approximately 19 species of fireflies, including the elusive Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) and Synchronous Firefly (Photinus carolinus). Their mesmerizing light displays attract visitors from around the world, which often leads to negative impacts on firefly habitat and population. Our firefly tours incorporate education, mindfulness, environmental stewardship, and opportunities for integration, which leads to more heart-centered experiences and lasting memories. Fireflies are delicate insects, especially the tiny blue ghosts, sensitive to light, sound, weather, habitat health, and the impacts of humans. That's why we recommend going with a knowledgeable guide who can help you safely find these magical beings and learn how to interact with them respectfully and responsibly, ensuring these amazing bioluminescent beetles don't just survive, but THRIVE. Their sensitivity also means we can't guarantee that you'll see them - but we'll keep you informed of the weather to give you the best possible chance. We recommend you keep your schedule open for a rain date in case of inclement weather. Peak season is May through early June for blue ghost and synchronous fireflies, but a number of species can be observed throughout the summer in western North Carolina. We offer a variety of nighttime experiences and price points including Firefly Forest Bathing, Mindful Hikes, and Firefly Encounters. Find an upcoming experience, or email [email protected] to learn more and create your custom private experience. |
Credit: Sam Wolfe, SamWolfe.com
“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." |
MINDFUL HIKES
Looking for something more physical than forest bathing but equally magical? Join us for a mindful hike featuring easy, moderate or advanced trails throughout Western North Carolina. Every hike is customized based upon your unique needs, the season, desired views (waterfall, mountain-top vista or riverside swimming holes), and fitness level. We have an abundance of trails to suit every body.
We believe there is a time to DO and a time to DO NOTHING. Together, we will explore and move, while also making time for silence and stillness. Are you hiking for healing? In need of an experienced guide to help you make the most of your time in the mountains? We've got you covered.
Natural Wanders can integrate mindfulness into a variety of outdoor activities, including paddle trips, bringing you into the present moment with a dose of wonder and awe. We'll help you experience the magic of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Email [email protected] to create your custom experience.
We believe there is a time to DO and a time to DO NOTHING. Together, we will explore and move, while also making time for silence and stillness. Are you hiking for healing? In need of an experienced guide to help you make the most of your time in the mountains? We've got you covered.
Natural Wanders can integrate mindfulness into a variety of outdoor activities, including paddle trips, bringing you into the present moment with a dose of wonder and awe. We'll help you experience the magic of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Email [email protected] to create your custom experience.
REMOTE FOREST BATHING FOR THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Want to try forest bathing from the comfort of your own yard? Give yourself the gift of self-love and self-care by indulging in this restorative sensory experience, guided remotely via Zoom. This heart-centered approach supports well-being, healing and cultural repair by cultivating a deeper relationship with the earth, yourself, and the global community. This incredible team-building and stress-relieving experience is perfect for corporate retreats and employee wellness programs, too.
Join from your yard, living room or favorite park as your guide broadcasts live from forests situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. The experience culminates in a virtual tea ceremony. Community experiences offered monthly, and private experiences by request. Email [email protected] to inquire about a remotely guided forest bathing experience.
Join from your yard, living room or favorite park as your guide broadcasts live from forests situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. The experience culminates in a virtual tea ceremony. Community experiences offered monthly, and private experiences by request. Email [email protected] to inquire about a remotely guided forest bathing experience.
CERTIFIED FOREST THERAPY TRAILS, SPACES AND PLACES
Certified Forest Therapy Trails, Spaces and Places serve as powerful tools to raise awareness and encourage the practice of Nature and Forest Therapy. They offer land managers and retreat centers new ways to attract visitors and innovative methods to gently and sustainably steward and manage trails and other natural areas.
Forest Therapy or "forest bathing" has gained global recognition as an evidence-based approach to wellness and health. Gentle walks invite guests to slow down and awaken their senses in nature. Certified Forest Therapy Trails, Spaces and Places have been developed in many countries around the world including the United States, Costa Rica, Slovenia, and Canada, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in partnership with a TSP (Trails, Spaces and Places) Certification Consultant.
Trails, Spaces and Places are considered for designation based initially on criteria such as accessibility, safety, infrastructure, design, ecosystem health and management. Certification provides a new method for engaging diverse community members, public health providers and patients, national and international tourists and more.
Read about North Carolina high country's first certified nature therapy trail at Glamping Wild, Creston, NC.
As an ANFT Trails, Spaces and Places Certification Consultant, I look forward to connecting with you and your land. Email [email protected] for a free 30-minute consultation to learn more about the certification process.
Forest Therapy or "forest bathing" has gained global recognition as an evidence-based approach to wellness and health. Gentle walks invite guests to slow down and awaken their senses in nature. Certified Forest Therapy Trails, Spaces and Places have been developed in many countries around the world including the United States, Costa Rica, Slovenia, and Canada, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in partnership with a TSP (Trails, Spaces and Places) Certification Consultant.
Trails, Spaces and Places are considered for designation based initially on criteria such as accessibility, safety, infrastructure, design, ecosystem health and management. Certification provides a new method for engaging diverse community members, public health providers and patients, national and international tourists and more.
Read about North Carolina high country's first certified nature therapy trail at Glamping Wild, Creston, NC.
As an ANFT Trails, Spaces and Places Certification Consultant, I look forward to connecting with you and your land. Email [email protected] for a free 30-minute consultation to learn more about the certification process.