Have you always wanted to go on a yoga retreat, but have no idea how to choose one? Let me help you out. Introducing Walker Wellness Retreats! I was lucky enough to experience one of their retreats that took place at a gorgeous mountain lodge right outside of Zion National Park. Walker Wellness Retreats travel all across the globe and offer these incredible trips in many locations. Continue reading for all the details of this wellness retreat and how my experience was!
Trails & Tranquility: A Zion & Bryce Canyon Retreat by Walker Wellness Retreats
Walker Wellness Retreats puts on an unforgettable five-day escape to Southern Utah. The Trails & Tranquility: A Zion & Bryce Canyon Retreat combines iconic national park adventures, daily yoga, chef-prepared meals, and plenty of time to relax and recharge. My mom and I experienced this together, a 60 year old and a 30 year old! It was perfect for both of our ages. You can customize your experience (especially with hiking!) Her and I really enjoyed the 2x yoga sessions per day, and of course all the gorgeous hikes we got to experience.
Find Walker Wellness Retreat’s website and all opportunities listed here!
Summary of the Yoga Retreat Experience
Explore the breathtaking landscapes of these national parks, with a perfect mix of adventure and downtime. Each day we did yoga in the morning, ate breakfast, prepared our lunch togo, explored the park, evening yoga practice, then dinner to end the night. The routine really gets you immersed and locked into the wellness journey.
All levels of experience are welcome – yoga and hiking! On our trip there were solo travelers, a couple, mom/daughter duo, yoga enthusiasts, avid hikers, and not so avid hikers. Walker Wellness opens up their trips to anyone looking for a fun, active getaway with like-minded travelers. None of us were super experienced yogis. Our whole group did connect together and we all felt like we were leaving with new friends!
All-Inclusive Trip Details
Transportation from Salt Lake City International Airport to the retreat lodge is included.
All lodging costs, all planned activities, and all meals during your stay.
There were not any extra costs or hidden fees.
The only thing you need to plan to bring extra funds for are potentially renting gear for the Narrows hike, or souvenirs/coffee/tea you may want to purchase at Zion or Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center. Also, on the drive down to Springdale, and back to SLC there is a travel stop for snacks.
All Inclusive Meals
All meals are included during the trip, as well as snacks for activities. Every morning after the breakfast spread we made sandwiches and wraps to take with us on our adventures. They had plenty of snacks set out for us to grab. When we got home from our adventure a little appetizer spread was always ready for us!
The food was seriously delicious. It was all incredibly healthy too. The meals had options, but I tried almost every single side dish because they all were so unique and seasonal. Thoughtfully prepared and served we all raved about the food.
I am a vegetarian and I ate SO well. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options upon request. There were birthdays while we were here and a delicious cake was made by the talented private chef, Amy. My favorite desert she made us was Persimmons Cheesecake!
Daily Yoga Class!
Each morning we woke up for yoga at 7:00 am and then had it again around 7:00 pm. The routine was delightful and our bodies thanked us all for the ample amount of stretching. Walker Wellness will include yoga mats, blocks, and anything else really that you need. We also enjoyed sound baths for a few of our sessions.
Every retreat features a private yoga instructor who is certified and incredibly talented. Also, if you want to sleep in or skip any sessions, all classes are optional. Our instructor made it clear that you can choose what you feel is right for you. During class if a move is not for you – there is no judgment for just laying back into child’s pose. Our instructor, Shantel, was amazing! She made us feel incredible, and even went around giving us little massages during sessions it was glorious. I learned a lot of new moves and went home feeling beyond refreshed.
Self-Guided Hiking Opportunities!
Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks contain some of the most spectacular hiking trails in the country! We were lucky enough to get permits to Angle’s Landing, and also hiked the Narrows and Checkerboard. At Bryce Canyon we did Queen’s Garden and part of Navajo Loop.
You can customize your own adventure to your liking. For example, my mom hiked up to Scout’s lookout on Angels Landing while I went for the summit. Another group member did Emerald Pools instead, and we all met back at the Visitor Center at a designated time to be picked up.
National Park Exploring
The mountain lodge we stayed in is located just outside of Zion National Park and a short drive from Bryce Canyon National Park. We were driven to the Visitor Center in Zion each day to hop on the shuttle and participate in the hikes we wanted to do. Entry to the parks is included!
Relaxation & Rejuvenation
We enjoyed having some built-in leisure time to relax in the hot tub, journal, or take a nap. All activities are optional so that you can enjoy your retreat at your own pace. After we hiked Checkerboard one day we had the entire afternoon to hang out at the cabin and enjoy all the amenities. That hot tub felt so good on the breezy fall day! They had a ton of books on the Geology of the National Parks nearby so my mom and I read while snacking on appetizers and hydrating.
The Mountain Lodge Details
The stunning Zion Retreat homes is fully furnished and designed to make your stay as comfortable as possible. It feels very private and so lovely to be inside nature. The park was a very short drive away.
The rooms are big and cozy. I was incredibly comfortable in my bed. My mom and I shared a room that had its own bathroom. Some guests chose to have their own rooms as well. There is 2 washers and 2 dryers so we all had plenty of opportunity to do laundry. We loved the layout, the spacious yoga room, the wrap around deck, and definitely the gorgeous views. The kitchen was expansive and in it was a hot water maker and a ton of choices of teas. The dining room was plenty big for us to all spread out, but we opted to dine together each night and share stories around the amazing food.
If you would like to enjoy a wellness retreat like this, be sure to check out Walker Wellness Retreats! Sign up for their newsletter for updates and deals!
