10 Reasons Why a Women’s Wilderness Retreat is Best on the River 

For the adventurous and nature loving gals out there looking for women’s wilderness retreat, the river may be calling to you! Unlike hiking and backpacking retreats, or ones by the beach, the untouched wilderness of a river canyon offers something far more rare.

One reason is how many rivers no longer run wild. With so many dams blocking the natural flow of Mother Nature across the world now, these remarkable corridors have quickly become a thing of the past. And so the ones that have been protected are that much more significant, and should be experienced by everyone at least once in their lives.

The river canyons we can still enjoy today are ancient passages that have been in their original state for millions of years. Within them is a balance that goes back by the epochs, revealing some of the most rare environments remaining in the natural world. To ride a wild river, and pass through between the cliffs it created and life along the riverbanks that couldn’t thrive without it, is truly something that can’t be understood until it’s experienced.

It’s a strong metaphor for the mindset many of us seek on wilderness retreats— gratitude, connection and synchronicity within ourselves and the world around us. If this isn’t reason enough to join a women’s wilderness retreat on the river, here’s 10 others to make you dream about days well-spent drifting downstream.

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#1 Get a True Backcountry Experience with No Experience Required

One of the best aspects of a women’s wilderness retreat on the river is that it’s designed for everyone, regardless of your outdoor experience level. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors woman or a complete beginner, these retreats are carefully planned to ensure you can enjoy a genuine backcountry experience with expert guides to lead the way.

Your river guides genuinely take care of everything, both on and off the river. They’ll provide all the necessary gear, knowledge, and support you need, so you can fully embrace and explore the wilderness with ease. First time camping? They’ll show you the ropes while providing most of the setup. New to kayaking? They’ll give you instruction as you need it the whole way? First time going through a rapid? There’s a very thorough safety talk to get you prepared and excited for it!

This allows you to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, and immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.

#2 Enjoy Fully Catered Camping 

To add on to the point above— One of the best parts of a women’s wilderness retreat on the river is that you don’t have to worry about meal prep or logistics. Your wonderful river guides set up just about everything once you’re at camp, including the kitchen, bathroom, and common area. The only space you’re responsible for is your “bedroom,” allowing you to make it all your own and as cozy as you please. 

A fully catered camping experience also means that your meals are prepared for you. Each day comes with deliciously fresh and healthy breakfasts, lunches, and 3 course dinners. This allows you to focus entirely on your retreat and the experience, without the stress of cooking or cleaning up. Plus, a lot of people say they eat better on these trips than they do at home! 

#3 Being on the Water is Physically Therapeutic

There’s something about being near water that’s inherently calming— let alone in a beautiful canyon. And while most of us probably already know this doesn’t need the science to back it up, studies have shown that even just watching a body of water can lower your blood pressure and heart rate. So there’s a truly physical effect that makes us feel better while floating downstream! 

Everything about a river, from its gentle glossy reflections in the morning, the power of its glimmering rapids, or the soothing sounds lapping against the shore, create an environment that encourages us to let go, and flow. Isn’t that what we’re all really looking for in women’s wilderness retreat? 

#4 The Most Beautiful Backdrops for Yoga Sessions

Imagine waking up in a forest beneath towering cliffs, the sound of the canyon’s morning breeze in the trees around your tent, a wide river sparkling in the morning sun, and the sand of the beach is silky soft. There’s really no better place to sink into a yoga practice. 

Whether you’re doing sun salutations at sunrise or a gentle flow at sunset, the natural beauty of the river provides a stunning and tranquil setting for your practice. It’s a perfect way to connect with nature and deepen your yoga experience. Your host will lead morning  and evening yoga sessions that you’re free to join, or you can always practice in a serene area on your own. 

#5 The Sound of the River Makes it Easy to Meditate

The constant, rhythmic music of flowing water serves as a natural, ancient soundtrack for meditation, helping to quiet the mind and enhance your focus. Meditating by or on the river allows you to disconnect from distractions and tune into the present moment, making it easier to achieve a state of mindfulness and relaxation.

There’s also a helpful metaphor between rivers and meditation you can use anytime— When you start to drift into the constant flow your thoughts and out of stillness, eddy out, and let those thoughts keep flowing by. 

#6 Relax or Exercise as Much as You Please

A river retreat offers a perfect balance between relaxation and being active. While there are activities planned each day, it’s completely up to you to participate. You can also choose to unwind on the rafts during the daily journey, or paddle down the river in an inflatable kayak or paddle board. 

Off the river, there will be hikes along scenic trails, yoga and meditation sessions, forest bathing, and time for your own exercise or mindfulness routines. This flexibility allows you to customize your retreat to match your energy levels and personal preferences each day. This wilderness retreat is meant to help you unwind, reconnect, and rejuvenate the way you need. 

#7 No Wifi = A True Reset

In today’s hyper-connected world, constantly being online is exhausting, whether we notice it or not. A river retreat offers a rare chance to completely disconnect from screens altogether. With no wifi or cell service, it essentially requires us to unplug and fully immerse ourselves in the experience. We don’t always get the opportunity to not answer calls or emails, or even resist the habit of getting on social media to pass time, so it’s a really welcomed aspect on these trips

This level of digital detox often leads to a far deeper state of relaxation and mental clarity. Our sleep is better, we listen more closely, and experience reality without the intrusion. In turn, we actually remember our experience! So we can go back to it long after our time on the river comes to an end.

As a side note to put your mind at ease, the guides do have access to satellite communication in case of an emergency. So there is communication access to the outside world if we need it. 

#8 Gain a Deeper Perspective in a Dark Sky Park

An added bonus of women’s river retreats is that they are located in Dark Sky Parks. These are areas recognized for their minimal light pollution, making them ideal for stargazing and that wonderful feeling of being oh-so-small in the cosmos. These trips give you the chance to witness a night sky filled with countless stars, planets, and the surreal bands of the Milky Way. 

These nightly displays can provide a profound sense of perspective, reminding you of the vastness of the universe and your place within it. Most people underestimate how a dark sky will impact them, but it’s often one of the most memorable parts of the experience. There’s nothing quite like falling asleep under the stars, after all. 

#9 Nature Always Heals Us from Within

Spending time in nature has been scientifically proven to be good for our brains! The calming experience that happens from nature’s reset on us results in numerous health benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving mental clarity and overall well-being. On a river retreat, you’re immersed in a pristine wilderness environment that nurtures and heals from within, helping you return to your daily life feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

One of the ways these retreats help facilitate healing is through forest bathing sessions. Forest bathing is a practice that started in Japan, “shinrin-yoku” meaning to take in the forest atmosphere. Your retreat host will help guide you through the meditative experience, and also allow you to do this on your own. 

The best part about forest bathing is that you don’t have to be in a remote river canyon to do it— you can’t do it wherever natural space may be, as close as your neighborhood park. So you can take the practice with you when you return to normal life. 

#10 Create True Connections 

A women’s wilderness retreat on the river is an excellent opportunity to form deep, meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. Your river guides are stewards of the canyon you’ll explore, and are all around amazing, hard working people. Your retreat host is also someone who deeply understands and appreciates the power of these places, and is an experienced teacher in all the practices you’ll enjoy. 

The shared experience of being on a river trip, camping and getting downstream together in and of itself is a lifelong bonding experience. This, coupled with the activities like group hikes, yoga sessions, and communal meals, fosters a sense of camaraderie and friendship that often lasts long after the retreat ends.

 

Learn More about Women’s Wilderness Retreats on the River

If you’re interested in taking a women’s wilderness retreat on the river, visit our River Wellness Retreat page for information about our upcoming trips!

 

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