Moab Mindful Running Retreats

Reduce stress and prevent burnout with mindfulness

Guided Trail Runs | Mindful Running Workshops | Restorative Yoga | Desert Beauty | Natural Running Form Clinics

See below to select your dates + Customize your retreat package

During the four-day, three-night Moab Mindful Running Retreat, situated in a stunning desert landscape of red rock, soaring cliffs and delicate natural arches, you’ll tune in to what drives you—in running and in life—and make sure that your energy is going into the activities that most feed your soul.

Each day’s run offers a new challenge, and therefore opportunity, to learn something new and take your running to a whole new level because it is possible to be the runner you want to be without having to train harder and push yourself to exhaustion. While it’s not necessary to have run trails before, this retreat is recommended for runners who can comfortably run 8 miles or more on the road. With the support of your retreat leader and running guides, you’ll be able run at your own pace, without needing to keep up with anyone else. You’ll stop frequently to soak up the views, snack and hydrate and savor each mindful moment.

Through our practical clinics, informative discussions, mindful movement and free time for quiet contemplation, you’ll stop the energy drains and divert your energy back into your running. Become a durable, strong, motivated runner using these tools and techniques that will keep you healthy and injury free. Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant desert landscape as you run scenic, challenging trails at a pace that is playful, relaxed and social.

Participant Photos + Testimonials

Great Experience

“Our longest run along the Colorado River was something I would have never had the courage to try solo and it was great. I felt challenged yet able to enjoy the amazing scenery. I came away clearly understanding the importance of the Power Posture for my running, and the importance of telling myself a more positive story about my running.”

— Ann Marie W, Denver, CO

Best Things I Have Done for Myself

“This retreat was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. It was a great opportunity to learn from such a knowledgeable and compassionate coach and share my love of running with a fun-loving group of women. I returned home more motivated and inspired about my running. It was very enjoyable running with other women of all ages and hearing others talk about the challenges they were facing. In many cases, we face the same types of challenges so it was comforting to discover this and not feel so alone.”

–Patricia H., Boulder, CO

Retreat was a Dream

“This last week has been a dream. Run Wild Retreats put together a fantastic trail-running trip that improved my form and solidified a lot of what I’ve been thinking about running more mindfully.”
–Tracey S., Atlanta, GA

Organic and Relaxed

“I was concerned about going on a ‘scheduled’ vacation, but it didn’t feel scheduled at all. Everything was so well planned and coordinated, one experience just rolled into the next and I didn’t have to think about anything except having fun. I actually didn’t even realize anything was scheduled or coordinated, it just felt so organic, relaxed and fun!”
–Patricia J.

Glimpse of What's Possible

“Since my return home I have not been able to stop thinking about how much I enjoyed running on the trails in Moab. So much so that I have decided to celebrate my 50 birthday by running a 50 miler. Thanks again for giving me a glimpse into what is possible!”

–Meg G.

Camaraderie, Encouragement and Support

“Before the retreat, I was struggling with low motivation if I wasn’t training for an event and was hard on myself when I didn’t meet my goals. At the retreat I learned how to apply self-compassion to my running. I loved the camaraderie, encouragement and support.”

–Leslie H., Charlotte, NC

Spectacular Scenery

“It was a wonderful, peaceful four days filled with spectacular scenery, laughter and friendship and physical challenges. It was truly a fabulous experience!”

–Che S.

Eager to Practice Mindful Running

“After spending last weekend on a Run Wild Retreat, I returned home eager to practice mindful running. Today I paid attention to my posture, breathing and any negative thoughts that began to creep in (all part of the body’s response to stress). But managing how I responded to these symptoms allowed me to push past any negative thoughts and I finished feeling strong and well.”

–Nancy U, Washington, D.C.

Running For Me

“I learned to find joy in running again. I also learned to run for me and not worry if I was slow or fast, and also to take care of myself as I run. It was really valuable to learn to run efficiently without wasted energy up hills! Small strides, small strides!”

–Loretta O.

Friends and Lifetime Memories

“It’s more than a running experience. If you allow it to be, it can be a life-altering experience, making friends and lifetime memories. We all have struggles and challenges, but we also have amazing support from each other, nature, universe and so much more strength within us – in mind, body and soul.”

–Stacy G.

Found Confidence

“Sign up! It’s a great opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and surprise yourself.”

–Cristina M.

In Good Hands

Our retreat leader Charlotte was warm, helpful, and so perfectly genuine in her care of all of us and the different challenges we were facing. Incredibly generous on and off trail – I felt we were in such capable hands. Run Wild Retreat’s commitment to their mission and to creating a wonderful experience for all participants is so clear.”

–Dinah B.

Left Feeling Proud

“It’s a retreat for runners – but it is a whole lot more than that. I learned I am a much stronger runner than I gave myself credit for.”

–Wendy G.

Moab Mindful Running Retreat Itinerary

Day 1 Thursday | Powerful Posture

Our program begins at 2:00 pm at Red Cliffs Lodge with the official welcome orientation meeting, during which your retreat leader will review what’s in store for the upcoming days and meet your fellow retreat participants. After the meeting, you will be able to check into your rooms and drop off your belongings. We ask for volunteers to carpool to a nearby trail for our first group run. After a short warm up, we’ll introduce the Power Posture, after which we’ll put these tips into practice during our relaxed shake-out run of about an hour. After freshening up back at the lodge, we’ll enjoy a classic southwestern meal at the Red Cliffs Lodge’s Cowboy Grill.
Time on trail (including stops and clinic): 90 minutes

Day 2 Friday | A Run Through Time

We begin the day with breakfast at the lodge, then meet our guides and drive to the trailhead of today’s run that will eventually take us along the Colorado River. Near the run’s start, our second Natural Running Form Clinic will give you the secret to using breath to regulate pace and efficiency while running uphill. These simple techniques will help us during today’s scenic and rewarding trail run past ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock by the Anasazi people. Upon finishing, we’ll enjoy a casual picnic lunch, then drive back to the Red Cliffs Lodge for some downtime. Late afternoon is our first Mindful Running Workshops, during which you’ll uncover the truth about what’s holding you back from running and feeling your best. After the workshop, we’ll ask for new volunteers to help us carpool into town for a restorative yoga class for runners (no experience necessary!), followed by dinner at one of Moab’s trendiest downtown restaurants.
Time on trail (including stops): 3 – 4 hours

Day 3 Saturday | Mindful Form at Navajo Rocks

After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll meet our guides again and drive with them to the Navajo Rocks Trails. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we’ll have our third Natural Running Form clinic, then begin our loop run through some of Moab’s icon landscapes, including cliffs, monoliths and sage brush. At the halfway point, you may opt to end your run here, or continue you run to complete the full loop. Once we return to Red Cliffs Lodge, we’ll have lunch on the River Deck, followed by free time to freshen up. Before dinner is the last workshop with your retreat leader, during which you’ll also have an opportunity to purchase items from the Mindful Running shop. Tonight we’re in for a special treat at a neighboring ranch (asking one last time for a few volunteers to carpool for the 5-minute drive), where we’ll enjoy a three-course farm-to-table gastronomic feast.
Time on trail (including stops): 2.5 – 3.5 hours

Day 4 Sunday | Feeling Fine at Fisher Towers

After a buffet breakfast at the lodge, it’s a short drive with our guides to our final trail run that is truly a celebration in the simple joy and adventure of running for our own health and happiness. During this out-and-back run, we take our time to soak up the views and see the soaring Fisher Towers. Upon our return to the lodge, we enjoy a Utah-sized brunch buffet before our final wrap-up and farewells by 1:00 p.m.

Time on trail: 2 – 2.5 hours

This program operates under a special recreation permit with the Bureau of Land Management Moab Field Office.
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The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 22 and 28 miles. Each day’s run in this itinerary is represented by time spent on the trail rather than miles run because the mileage covered will depend largely on your run pace. Faster runners will cover more mileage than slower runners in some cases. These run times include breaks to enjoy the views, take photos, eat and drink. The precise route and trails run may change due to changes to trail routes, weather conditions, guide recommendations and other safety considerations.

Choose Your Dates + Customize Your Package

Click one of these options to view the trip details and customize your package:

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Covid Health + Safety Protols

Learn about our Covid-19 Health and Safety Protocols in place for this retreat here. These protocols were developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and abide by the destination's requirements.

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Flexible Booking Policy in Effect

As part of our new Flexible Booking Policy, put in place due to the worldwide travel disruptions and restrictions, we have reduced deposits from $600 to $300, and made it easier to rebook your retreat in case you're unable to travel. Click here to learn more.

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This Retreat is Level II

This retreat is rated Level II, which means we recommend you have a base fitness level that allows you to run up to 8 miles at a time on roads. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run–really! Learn more about the run levels here.