Women’s Desert & Canyons Retreat
Hike the desert, view the milky way, sample local cuisine, and quiet your mind on one of our wilderness retreats
Join Outdoor Mavens on the trip of a lifetime in the sun-drenched canyons of Escalante, UT. We will hike during the day, exploring all the red rock desert has to offer. Your guides will provide local knowledge of the area and delicious trail-side lunches. In the evening, come together for optional workshops for intention setting, growth, and community building. AM yoga sessions will also be taught on select days. Come get quiet in the desert with us and make room for your soul’s creative energy to flow in this rich wilderness setting.
Questions? Check out our FAQ below
Women’s Desert & Canyons Hiking Retreat
May 2025 dates coming soon
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We begin our time together with a pre-departure meeting zoom call the night prior to our trip
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Originates from: Salt Lake City, UT
Location of trip: Escalante, UT
Accommodations: Lodge Style
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Style: Basecamp, otherwise known as car camping.
We will keep our camping equipment setup at a local campground and go on day hikes.
Level of difficulty: 2/5
We will be day hiking between 2 and 6 miles each day
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AM yoga sessions taught by certified yoga instructor
Sunset picnic dinner in the desert
Adventure through narrow slot canyons
Visit indigenous museum in Boulder, UT
Hike to a desert waterfall
Stunning night sky views
Evening workshops for personal growth and community building
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There is a two person minimum requirement for all trips
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests.
We make the final determination for these trips 4-5 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
Need a Different Date?
Trip Details
May 2025
Join a community of women for a special week spent in the golden deserts reflecting, hiking, setting intentions and caring for yourself.
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All transportation to and from Escalante, UT
All meals, snacks, and post-hike fizzy drinks
Custom OM swag
Small group experience
Professional wilderness guides who are certified first responders and knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna
Yoga sessions
1 dinner out
Museum entrance fees
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20-30 L Day pack
First Aid Kit
Emergency Communication Device
Sleeping bag
Inflatable sleeping mat
Tent
Group kitchen
Toilet kits
First Aid Kit
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Day 0: Arrive to your hotel in SLC and settle in. Pre-departure group meeting at 5p. Location will be announced.
Day 1: Drive 4.5 hours to Boulder, UT where we will visit a local indigenous museum. Enjoy a lunch provided by your guide. Finish the final 40 minutes of our drive, arriving to camp. Let’s setup camp and embark on short hike with views of our campsite.
Day 2: Rise early today to hike 6 miles through a lush riparian ecosystem in the desert. This hike will surely be a treat and fun surprise. Post dinner, enjoy a campfire and social time with your fellow guests.
Day 3: Today we will adventure down an old dirt road to remarkable slot canyons. Prepare for a 5 mile day of adventuring through water carved canyons. After a delicious camp meal, settle in for an evening workshop on intention setting.
Day 4: Relish in a healthy morning yoga session, followed by hot coffee overlooking the desert. Once packed up for our day, we will explore the Escalante River corridor on foot. As this is our final night, enjoy a casual group dinner out in town, followed by a campfire session on creativity and self-care.
Day 5: Wake up for another invigorating morning of flow yoga, followed by a healthy breakfast. After packing up our camp, we will close our time together with a short ceremony, honoring everyone. Finally, we will transit home to Salt Lake City and say our farewells.
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Alcohol
Clothing & personal toiletries
Towels for camp showers
Water bottles and headlamp
Airfare to Salt Lake City
Guide Gratuity (10-20% of trip cost suggested)
Terms & Conditions:
A deposit of $400 is required at time of booking to secure your space. Full payment is required 60 days before departure date.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancel 61-90 days prior to trip: Full refund, less deposit
Cancel 31-60 days prior to trip: 50% of trip cost is refundable
Cancel 0-30 days prior to the trip: 100% trip cost is non-refundable
We highly suggest purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment
COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols
High touch, communal surfaces will be sanitized frequently
Any dishes used will be cleaned with hot water, soap, and bleach
All gear will be cleaned after each trip in accordance with current CDC recommendations
Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available throughout the trip
Guide prepared meals will follow proper food handler's rules and regulations
Guests are asked to stay home if they are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms
What our clients are saying
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Constance C
“Traci is amazing to work with. She crafts the perfect itinerary based on your interests and skills. Hands down one of the best professionals to help you plan your next adventure!”
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Regina S
“Their retreats are magical and it was so important for me to go and engage! The quiet of the desert, the night skies, the hikes they took us on. Invest in yourself and go!”
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Jennie D.
“Top notch customer service! As a solo female traveler, they did a great job creating a custom trip with campsite recommendations I felt solid about. The hikes and biking trails were spot on for a 4 day adventure vacation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I fly in and meet my guide?
This trip originates in Salt Lake City, UT. Please make arrangements to fly in and out of SLC. We will be having a pre-departure meeting in person, at a centralized meeting spot in downtown Salt Lake, the night prior to our start date.
Which hotel should I stay in Salt Lake City?
We can suggest our favorites: Little America, Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, and Evo Hotel.
Will there be enough room for my suitcase in the group vehicle?
Yes, you are welcome to bring a normal suitcase on this trip. Our vehicles will accommodate one piece of luggage per guest, plus your day hiking backpack.
What are the temps in Escalante in May?
Daytime average highs in Escalante, UT are 75* and nighttime lows are 41*
What is a slot canyon?
Slot canyons are narrow gorges in soft rocks. In Utah they are the product water movement through sandstone layers. They are named for their long, narrow characteristics.
I’m not religious or spiritual, is this retreat still for me?
If this retreat resonates with you, we strongly encourage you to attend. Everything on this trip is a “Challenge by choice”. This means you are welcome to attend evening workshops, or not. As well as, if you feel the need to rest instead of hike, we want to honor that.
What should I bring for hiking clothes?
We suggest packing a variety of layers (re: puffer, fleece layer, tights, knit hat, shorts). Layers can be shed as the day warms up. Poly-blends are great for hiking as they wick sweat away from the body.
I don’t do alot of hiking, can I still handle this trip?
Yes! This trip is designed to be inclusive to all ability levels. However, we do suggest doing a bit of training prior to your trip. We suggest moderate cardio (whatever you are used to) and as you progress add a small backpack with some weight in it.
I can no longer attend the hiking retreat, what is your cancellation policy?
Cancel 61-90 days prior to trip: Full refund, less deposit
Cancel 31-60 days prior to trip: 50% of trip cost is refundable
Cancel 0-30 days prior to the trip: 100% trip cost is non-refundable
Should I purchase travel insurance?
We 100% encourage you to purchase travel insurance! Things happen, and we want to make sure your investment is protected.