Blue Ghost Firefly Overnight Retreat

Price
From$350
Price
From$350

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Build your own weekend getaway or mini-retreat

  • Get in touch for a free consultation and let the locals with all the insider tips and tricks help you plan the perfect custom wellness retreat.

  • Overnight
  • Max 10 guests
  • Select dates in May
  • Peaceful, private 900+ acre property. Mills River, NC area.

Blue Ghost Firefly - Overnight Retreat

Note: this page shares information about our Overnight Blue Ghost Forest Bathing retreat. If you’re short on time or are not interested in staying on site overnight, you might consider our 3hr Blue Ghost Firefly Night Hike instead.

2025 retreats will take place May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 (private group retreats available upon request).

Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From sunset and starry skies to fireflies, we’ll marvel at Mother Nature’s light show as we explore the forest hoping to encounter the elusive Blue Ghost firefly species!

Even better? The forest trail is just steps away from your overnight accommodations so you can enjoy hot showers and comfy beds in charming, historic cabins on a private property immediately following your evening adventure. No crowds here! Our retreat groups enjoy exclusive access to this 900+ acre Blue Ghost Firefly habitat. 

This is a unique opportunity to unplug in a private, peaceful setting. The main event is a nighttime Forest Bathing experience that invites you to connect more deeply to yourself and the environment around you. Quiet your mind and awaken your senses as we sink into the heightened awareness of this special environment. The best part: there’s no right or wrong way to forest bathe; just bring an open heart, adventurous spirit, and be yourself. All is welcome in the forest!

This special offering takes place on only 6 evenings each year with group sizes limited to 10 for a more intimate experience.

Retreat Includes:

  • Guided Forest Bathing Experience (night walk)
  • Nourishing family-style dinner
  • Overnight accommodations on a peaceful, private property
  • Continental breakfast
  • Exclusive access to a 900+ acre private forest(avoid the crowds! Access to this forest is restricted to our retreat groups!)

Retreat Pricing:

  • $350 per person (shared occupancy)
  • $500 per person (single occupancy)(note - only one single occupancy room is available per night - first come, first served)
  • Are you a group of 3? Save $20 each if sharing a triple occupancy room. Ask us how!
  • Includes all experiences, accommodations, dinner, and breakfast

Retreat Itinerary:

Day 1:

Arrive between 5pm – 6pm and settle into your cozy accommodations.

Family Dinner:
Savor a delectable dinner with your retreat companions. Our family-style dinner will be prepared by Chef Katie with locally-sourced ingredients that celebrate the season’s bounty. Enjoy the warmth of the fire, engage in meaningful conversation, and delight in the flavors of a thoughtfully prepared meal.

Evening Guided Forest Bathing Experience:
The evening begins with a gentle, guided stroll into a peaceful forest as the sun sets and sparkling fireflies emerge. We hope to see the elusive Blue Ghost Fireflies and will surely enjoy the forest at twilight and other beings present there.

Day 2:

Wholesome Continental Breakfast:
Wander the peaceful grounds and start your day at your leisure. We’ll prepare a delicious spread including traditional delights like fruit, toast, nut butter, whipped butter, overnight oats, coffee, and hot tea.

Check Out:
Check out time is 10am. We hope you return home with a renewed sense of peace and a heart full of wonder!

Blue Ghost Firefly Retreat Accommodations:

Spend the evening in a cozy, charming, historic cabin overlooking a lake, just steps from the Blue Ghost Firefly forest we’ll visit on our guided night adventure. Enjoy spacious wraparound porches, crackling fire places, a full kitchen, common areas for getting to know your retreat companions, comfy beds, and hot showers!

Each cabin is equipped with a full kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and shared bathrooms.

Cabin 1 was built in 1935 from Poplar, Oak, and Stone gathered from the property. The beautiful river rock fireplace still warms the main room today! Sleeping arrangements:

  • King Bedroom (2 guests)
  • Queen + Twin (2-3 guests)
    • Are you a group of 3 traveling together? Save $20/person by choosing this room. Ask us how!
  • Full + Twin (2-3 guests)

Cabin 2 was built in the 1850s with hand-hewn walls of Oak and a ceiling made of American Chestnut, cut from the property. The structure stood elsewhere originally and was disassembled then reassembled in its present location in 1954. Sleeping arrangements:

  • King Bed Loft (2 guests, semi-private loft space)
  • Full Bedroom (1-2 guests – available as a solo occupancy room for an additional $150)

Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis by our staff to optimize the space we have available. Note: only one solo occupancy room is available per night.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing is simply a guided, immersive experience in nature. Your guide will share mindfulness practices and invitations designed to connect you more deeply to your inner landscapes, as well as the world around you. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, forest bathing retreats invite guests to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing for ourselves, our fraught ecosystems, and our community. It is true nature therapy!

This is essentially a mindful, rejuvenating experience in the forest…no actual “bathing” required. For more information, visit our blog: All Things Forest Bathing.

What kind of accommodations can I expect?

We will be staying in cozy, historic, well-loved cabins on a private 900+ acre property just steps away from an incredible Blue Ghost Firefly habitat. Enjoy wrap-around porches, crackling fires, hot showers, and the ultimate convenience of having these magical beings as your neighbors!

What kind of meals will be served?

Delicious Buddha Bowls w/ grilled chicken or marinated tofu for dinner and a self-serve, wholesome continental breakfast with overnight oats. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available with advanced notice.

What is the refund & cancellation policy?

Due to the special nature of this experience, tickets are non-refundable. We plan to hold these walks (light) rain or shine. If AWT cancels due to weather or any other reason, you will be offered a back up date for another guided night walk. Reservations are transferrable to another guest.

Can I choose shared lodging and stay with a friend?

Absolutely! Email info@AshevilleWellnessTours.com or call/text 828-407-0711 to let us know who you want to lodge with and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Traveling in a crew of 3 and willing to share a triple room? You might be eligible for a $20/person discount! Contact us to find out more.

What should I bring/wear?

Bring/wear:

  • headlamp or flashlight with a red lens if you have one (we’ll provide extras if you don’t have one on hand),
  • warm layers,
  • rain protection,
  • full water bottle,
  • close-toed shoes that can get muddy,
  • long pants,
  • ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper)
  • personal toiletries
  • medications
  • book, journal, or anything else you might want on hand to enjoy during your free time on property

And an open heart and mind! Be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing and remember that layers are your key to comfort. Rain protection is essential. Please remember that temperatures in higher elevations can be significantly lower than in town and rain is always a possibility.

What is included in my retreat registration?

Each retreat registration includes dinner and breakfast, an evening guided forest bathing experience, and lodging (shared or private lodging).

How difficult is the hike?

Though we’ll walk less than a mile, please bear in mind that you’ll be navigating the trail at night and will need heightened awareness of numerous stumps, roots, uneven terrain, and obstacles. Because of these parameters, this experience is not appropriate for anyone with mobility issues, medical concerns, or injuries.

Do I need a bathing suit to participate in Forest Bathing?

Nope! We’ll be immersing ourselves in the restorative forest atmosphere and aren’t bathing in the traditional rubber-ducky-in-the-bathtub sense. Though we highly recommend wearing shoes that you feel comfortable getting muddy, you can otherwise expect not to get wet.

Can I take photos on the night walk?

Photography and videography are not allowed during our Firefly Forest Bathing events. Any small light or flash disturbs the fireflies and disrupts the experience for others in your group.

Is this retreat family friendly?

Due to our limited group size and the nature of our our shared accommodations, public overnight retreats are 18+. For families with kiddos under 18, we welcome you to reserve a private overnight retreat, pending cabin availability. Note that the guided evening experience lasts until approximately 10:30pm. If this isn’t too late for your littles, we welcome children 8+. The Blue Ghost habitat is very fragile so children unfortunately won’t be able to roam freely but must instead stick very close to the group. Please keep this in mind when deciding if this event is right for your family.

Are firefly sightings guaranteed?

Sadly, no, we cannot guarantee that the fireflies will show themselves. It’s all up to Mother Nature and the fireflies themselves! To set expectations realistically and prepare ourselves for a lovely adventure, we can say that we are sure to have a magical time experiencing the forest at twilight and we’ll hope to spot fireflies along the way.

Fireflies are sensitive to cold weather and rain which can disrupt viewings. Throw in other elements like other guests, a delay or early onset of “high season”, and other unknowns and we never know for sure what we’ll see. Please bring an open mind and leave expectations behind. We’ll step into the unknown together!

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