Experience
Schedule
Preparedness
Guides
Safety
FAQ
Inclusions
Waitlist

A Guided Forest Immersion Retreat in the California Redwoods

Join the interest list for future retreats and early invitations.

JOIN THE LIST

A nature-based journey into stillness, reflection, and remembering.

This Forest Immersion is a guided, multi-day journey into extended time in the Northern California redwood forest—away from daily demands, digital noise, and constant decision-making—creating space to slow down, listen more closely, and engage with the experience in a way that supports presence and awareness.

Intimate-group experience, limited to 11 participants.

Thoughtfully designed to support first-time participants throughout the journey.

JOIN THE WAITLIST

Who This Forest Immersion May Be a Good Fit For

This retreat may be a good fit for those who feel drawn to slow down, step out of constant motion, and spend meaningful time reconnecting with themselves in nature.

You may find this experience supportive if you:

  • Feel stretched by the pace of daily life and are longing to breathe again
  • Are navigating a life transition, crossroads, or period of reflection
  • Sense that clarity and direction will come through stillness rather than more effort
  • Value depth, presence, and thoughtful experiences in nature
  • Are curious about forest immersion and inner listening, even if this is your first time

  • Participants come from many walks of life—leaders, creatives, caregivers, professionals, and others—but share a common desire to pause, spend time in reflection, and engage with the experience in a way that invites greater presence and renewed attention to what matters most.

Why This Work, Why Now

Across cultures and throughout history, people have turned to nature during times of transition—stepping away from daily life to listen more closely and return with insight meant to be lived and shared.

Today, many feel outwardly engaged yet inwardly stretched thin. Life moves quickly, decisions accumulate, and there is little space to pause or reflect. Even lives that feel full and purposeful can begin to feel crowded or unsettled without room to slow down and listen.

This work is not about withdrawing from life, but about meeting it more consciously. The forest retreat offers a pause—an invitation to listen more closely and engage in an experience that supports reflection, a sense of orientation, and perspective.

What May Emerge During the Retreat

  • Space to slow down and settle
  • Clarity around an important life decision
  • Renewed creative energy and perspective
  • Deeper trust in their inner compass
  • The realization that life’s questions don’t have to be navigated alone.
JOIN THE WAITLIST

The California Forest Immersion Experience

The Redwood Forest Immersion Retreat moves through a simple, intentional rhythm of arrival, preparation, immersion, and integration.

Over five days, participants step out of daily routines and into a quieter pace shaped by time in the forest. We gather at a shared base camp, come together for guided group practices, and then transition into a two-night solo immersion in the forest, held within a defined area and supported by the facilitation team and community volunteers.

At the heart of the retreat is the solo immersion. For two nights, participants who choose to engage in the optional, time-limited water fast spend extended time alone in the redwoods at individual forest spots, remaining in the same location throughout this period. A daily check-in, along with ongoing support, helps maintain connection and safety.

For the remainder of the retreat, participants sleep in their own individual tents at the communal camp. The first and final days are spent together to support orientation, shared meals, preparation, and closing.

As everyday demands fall away, attention settles, inviting participants to meet the experience in their own way and at their own pace.

Schedule / Rhythm

The retreat unfolds over five days, moving from arrival and preparation into forest immersion, and concluding with integration and return.

Participants arrive at our redwood haven and are welcomed into the group. The day includes orientation, grounding practices, and time to settle into the land and community. We gather for a shared opening dinner, setting intentions and preparing—both practically and inwardly—for the days ahead.

The morning begins with a light vegetarian breakfast, followed by preparation for the forest immersion. 

We then gather for an opening fire ceremony, marking the beginning of the forest immersion and establishing a shared center for the journey ahead. The fire is tended day and night by members of our community, holding the space as participants enter solo time in the redwoods and begin the fast.

A full day and night of fasting and solo time in the forest. Participants remain in their individual forest locations, with a daily safety check-in and a warm cup of tea. The day unfolds quietly, creating space for deep listening, reflection, and rest, while the supporting community stays close within the same forest setting—tending the fire and holding the space throughout.

Participants wake in the early morning following their second night immersed in the forest. One by one, they are met at their forest spots by facilitators and community members and gently guided back to the fire, where they rejoin the group.

We then gather in circle to reflect, share, and integrate what has emerged, followed by a closing ceremony and a nourishing welcome-back feast that marks the transition from solitude into community.

In the afternoon, participants will gather for journaling and shared reflection with facilitators around the fire, creating space to integrate the experience and gently prepare for re-entering life beyond the forest. 

followed by a farewell circle that offers space to reflect on what has been gathered and how it may continue to unfold beyond the journey.

The final morning opens with a light vegetarian breakfast, followed by time to pack, with transportation provided back to vehicles. We plan to depart the camp by noon on May 5.

Logistics at a Glance

Travel

The retreat is held in a remote redwood forest approximately one hour by car from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Jose International Airport (SJC), and the city of Santa Cruz, California. Detailed travel guidance will be provided upon acceptance.

Sleeping & Facilities

Participants sleep in their own individual tents on the first and final nights, with tents set up in the communal base camp to support arrival, orientation, and integration. For those who prefer additional support upon arrival, an optional add-on is available during registration to have a tent set up in advance.

The communal base camp includes bathrooms, outdoor showers with running water, and access to filtered drinking water. These facilities are available before and after the forest immersion period.

During the two nights of solo immersion, participants sleep at individual forest locations within walking distance of base camp. There is no shelter beyond personal sleeping gear, allowing for a direct and immersive experience of being outdoors. Participants remain in place during the immersion and return to camp for shared facilities and integration.

What to Bring for the Solo Immersion

During the solo immersion, participants bring a limited set of essential personal items to their individual forest locations. These include layers for warmth (such as extra socks, a hat, gloves, and an insulated jacket), a sleeping pad and sleeping bag, a ground tarp for moisture protection, and a filled water bottle. To support the simplicity of the experience, items such as food, journals, electronic devices, books, and other distractions are not brought into the solo space during the fasting period.

Detailed packing guidance and a complete packing list are shared in advance.

Meals

Vegetarian meals are provided before and after the fast, including a welcome dinner, a post-immersion lunch feast, and two hearty breakfasts—the morning before the solo immersion and the morning of departure. Participants are asked to bring any personal snacks or additional food they may need beyond these meals.

Seasonal Conditions

This retreat takes place outdoors in a natural forest environment, and weather is part of the experience. May is springtime in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with daytime temperatures typically in the mid-60s to low-70s and cooler nights in the low-50s. Conditions may include rain, fog, or other typical Northern California's redwoods weather.

Safety & Support

Safety is a foundational part of the retreat. The experience includes periods of solitude, fasting, and time outdoors. While we plan with care and take reasonable precautions, participants should understand that any wilderness-based experience involves inherent risks.

We take thoughtful steps to reduce these risks through clear structure, preparation, and established support protocols designed to promote overall well-being.

Throughout the retreat, two experienced facilitators are on site, supported by a small team of community volunteers. Before entering the forest, participants receive a thorough orientation to the landscape, boundaries, expectations, and support systems in place. Solo immersion locations are within a short walking distance of the central camp area, and a member of the retreat team is available if support is needed. Daily check-ins and simple touch-points (such as a warm cup of tea) are part of the rhythm of the experience.

Choice and personal agency are central to this work. Participants are encouraged to listen to their bodies, honor their limits, and adjust their level of engagement as needed. The role of the facilitation team is to offer steady presence, clear communication, and logistical support within the retreat structure.

Clear preparation guidance is provided in advance, with support available through each phase of the retreat—from arrival and immersion to integration and re-entry.

This retreat is a guided personal-growth experience and is not a clinical or therapeutic program. It is not intended to replace professional medical or mental health care.

Those Who Hold the Retreat

Physical Readiness & Accessibility

No prior camping, backpacking, or fasting experience is required. The retreat is designed to support first-time participants, with preparation guidance provided in advance.

Spending extended time in the California redwoods does require a basic level of mobility and comfort outdoors, including walking on uneven terrain and being in variable weather. If you have medical conditions, mobility concerns, injuries, or questions about accessibility, we encourage you to reach out before applying so we can explore whether this experience feels like a good fit. You may also wish to consult with a qualified healthcare provider if you have questions about your readiness.

frequently asked questions

What’s the intention behind this retreat?

The intention of this retreat is not to offer a long-weekend escape, but to create a thoughtfully guided nature experience that invites reflection and personal insight.

For part of the retreat, participants spend two nights in the same forest location—unplugged from daily distractions and immersed in silence, solitude, and the raw presence of the natural world. In the absence of noise and stimulation, space opens for noticing inner experience and listening more closely to what arises.

This forest immersion is designed to create conditions that invite reconnection—with your inner compass, a sense of spirit, and the living world around you—offering space that may help you return with greater presence and a refreshed perspective on what matters most.

This retreat is not affiliated with any specific religion, belief system, or spiritual tradition. It is rooted in nature-based practices and intentional time for reflection, drawing inspiration from a variety of land-based wisdom traditions that honor the natural world and its living systems. 

The experience remains inclusive and not tied to any single tradition or worldview. Participants are invited to commune with nature with attention and care. There is no required framework for interpreting the experience, and no particular belief or perspective is expected. Each person’s experience is deeply personal and may unfold in ways that are meaningful and unique to them. 

People arrive with diverse backgrounds and ways of understanding the world. For some, the experience feels deeply spiritual; for others, it offers a rare space for quiet reflection and renewed awareness. Like the forest’s biodiversity, our community reflects a wide range of perspectives and approaches. Facilitators and participants draw from varied disciplines and lived experiences, creating an inclusive and thoughtfully held space. You are invited to meet the forest directly and engage in a way that feels authentic to you.

Only you can truly answer that. People are drawn to this kind of time in nature for many reasons—some feel an immediate pull, while others feel both curious and unsure. Both are completely valid.

This isn’t a casual getaway; it does ask for preparation and a willingness to spend extended time with yourself and the natural world. Feeling intrigued—and even a little uncertain—is very common.

If you’d like support in exploring whether this experience aligns for you, we encourage you to book a call to talk through your intentions before applying.

This retreat may not be a good fit for those currently navigating acute emotional or psychological distress, active eating disorders, pregnancy, or medical conditions that make fasting or extended time outdoors unsafe. Please refer to the physical readiness section. If you’re unsure, we encourage you to reach out before applying. 

The solo portion of the retreat lasts two nights. During this time, participants remain in their individual forest locations within the same forest setting.

There is one scheduled check-in on the full day of the solo fast, which includes a brief safety check and tea. Outside of that check-in, participants are encouraged to notice their own experience and limits and to reach out if they need support.

Facilitators and the supporting community remain on site throughout the immersion. The experience is designed to balance solitude with access to support, allowing participants to engage responsibly and within their own capacity.

That’s completely natural and you’re not alone in feeling that way. Fear of being alone, forest environments, of the dark, of silence, or just being with your own thoughts. It’s all part of the journey. But fear isn’t a stop sign—it’s a doorway. And when you walk through it, something powerful can unfold: clarity, courage, and a kind of peace that stays with you. You won’t be out there without support. We create a strong container: leaders tending the fire, community holding space, and intentional offerings to honor your courage every step of the way.

The retreat includes a time-limited water fast of two nights, offered as one element of the overall retreat and associated with the solo portion of the journey. Light vegetarian meals are provided before and after the solo immersion period.

Fasting is not framed as a test or a goal, but as a shared structure that some participants choose to engage in as part of the experience. By simplifying the body’s usual routines around eating, some participants notice quiet focus and attentiveness during extended time alone in the forest.

Fasting is always optional. You will never be required to fast, and participants may choose to discontinue their fast at any point based on their own judgment and well-being.

Participants who choose not to fast remain at basecamp with members of the retreat team and take part in communal activities, such as tending the fire. Time in solo forest locations is offered to participants who choose to engage in the fasting portion of the retreat.

The solo fast is not appropriate for everyone. In some cases, including certain health conditions or medications, participation in the solo immersion may be adjusted to support safety within the container.

While we encourage participants to commit to the full experience, we understand that unexpected needs can arise. If someone needs to leave early, the facilitation team will assist with a safe departure.

This isn’t about becoming a survivalist. Our bodies have evolved over thousands of years to be in relationship with nature, and the focus here is on thoughtful preparation rather than endurance or hardship.

Preparation centers on practical readiness—what to bring, how to care for yourself in a forest setting, and how to be in the experience with attentiveness and respect. Each group is different, and every immersion unfolds in its own way. Many participants find that the greatest adjustment is simplifying—letting go of everyday distractions, expectations, and the urge to stay busy.

During a preparatory council session, the facilitation team reviews what to bring to solo spots, how to orient yourself during extended time outdoors, and ways to feel more at ease in the forest environment. The invitation is to arrive prepared for a direct encounter with the natural world, with openness and care for yourself and the land.

Being outdoors means engaging with changing conditions, which is a natural part of spending extended time in the forest. Participants are invited to meet the environment as it is, with care and preparation, rather than expecting controlled or predictable conditions.

The facilitation team monitors weather conditions closely before and throughout the retreat and provides guidance on how to pack and dress appropriately for a range of conditions. Support and structure are adjusted as needed to maintain safety while honoring the overall retreat design.

Participant well-being is always a priority. In the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions, the facilitation team may modify the schedule or, if necessary, cancel the retreat. If the retreat is canceled due to weather-related safety concerns, participants will receive a credit toward a future forest immersion.

This retreat is intentionally small, with a maximum of 11 participants, to support a sense of safety, care, and meaningful connection.

A minimum number of participants is required to hold the retreat as designed. In the unlikely event that the minimum is not met, all participants will be notified and fully refunded no later than 30 days prior to the retreat start date.

We recommend waiting to make non-refundable travel arrangements until participants receive confirmation that the retreat is moving forward as planned.

Integration is supported during the retreat through facilitated group circles and closing practices. After the retreat, participants may choose to arrange optional one-on-one integration conversations with a facilitator, offered separately through their independent practices and not included in the retreat tuition.

To apply, you’ll complete a short application and submit a deposit. The deposit holds your place in the review process and is applied toward the total retreat fee if your application is accepted.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If an application is not accepted by the review team, the deposit is fully refunded. Once an application is accepted, the deposit becomes non-refundable, as a place is being held for you in the retreat.

If accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with next steps.

Choose Your Contribution

Tuition is offered at two levels. Choose the contribution that reflects both your current capacity and your support of the retreat.

A small number of scholarship spots are available.

If this retreat feels aligned but the cost is prohibitive, please reach out.

If you’re unsure where to land, choose the amount that feels both responsible and generous for you at this moment.

* All participants receive the same experience. Tuition reflects each person’s current capacity.

You’ll be able to confirm your tuition selection during the application.

How registration works

Because this is an intimate, application-based retreat, applications are reviewed with care and space is limited.

Registration will close on March 30, 2026, or sooner if the retreat fills.

To apply, you’ll submit a short application and a $500 deposit.

The deposit is fully refunded if your application is not accepted.

If accepted, it is applied toward your tuition.

The remaining balance will be charged on March 30, 2026.

THE FOREST IS READY! ARE YOU?

What's Included in this 4-Night retreat

  • Five days and four nights in a private haven within the Northern California redwood forest
  • Two nights of supported forest immersion and optional fasting within a clearly defined solo area
  • An intimate, small-group experience with a high facilitator-to-participant ratio and opportunities for one-on-one connection throughout
  • Nourishing vegetarian meals before and after the fast, including a welcome feast, farewell feast, and two hearty vegan breakfasts (the morning before solo immersion and the morning of departure)
  • Daily facilitation, safety oversight, and on-site community support
  • Guided arrival and orientation for a clear and grounded beginning
  • Integration circles and a closing ceremony to support reflection and re-entry
  • Pre-retreat preparation shared weekly beginning four weeks prior to arrival
  • Access to communal base camp facilities, including filtered drinking water, bathrooms, and outdoor showers

Not Included:

Transportation to and from the retreat location, and personal camping gear. A tent, tarp, and sleeping pad may be added during registration. All other personal gear is the participant’s responsibility.

Next Step - Apply!
  • Join the Waitlist for the next Retreat

Join the waitlist to receive early access to retreat dates and applications.