A new mindfulness trail at Deep Portage!

There’s a new permanent exhibit in the Northwoods now open to the public. It’s a mindfulness trail at Deep Portage Learning Center in Hackensack, MN.  I cannot believe I get to share that we helped create it! It honestly feels surreal to write that. In the 6,307 acres of preserved forest at Deep Portage….we helped create a mindfulness trail.

I live close to Deep Portage. Last weekend, I was able to visit the newly finished trail, and bring my family along.

It’s deer hunting season, so we were decked out in our blaze orange.

I AM SO IN LOVE! The experience was incredible. The location of the hike, through old towering trees, paired with the location of the mindfulness loop that overlooks a stunning bog, is truly an ideal outing.

Amanda and I created the content and practices in partnership with Deep Portage, and a branch of the MN Dept of Health - Cass County’s (SHIP) Statewide Health Improvement Plan.  We’ve been working on this project for over a year. To see it fully realized is a dream.

The purpose of the trail is to promote wellbeing.  It’s an accessible and approachable way to teach mindfulness in nature to thousands of children and adults!

The trail is an invitation to school groups, members of the public, and retreat participants to head out into the woods. Listen to the sounds of the forest, observe wonders along the trail in every season, breathe in fresh air, and relax your shoulders. A space to allow your mind to stay fully present. 

There are a handful of short guided practices on the mindfulness loop.  The very first “grounding practice” sign, my family did together as I read the instructions.  After trying it out, my husband said, “wow, you know that actually works.” 

You can’t help but feel like a better version of yourself with intentional, mindful time spent in the forest. 

There are several more signs that I won’t include here.  We gotta leave some mystery and in-person enjoyment. 

We can’t wait to incorporate this sweet hike into our 2026 winter retreats in February and March at Deep Portage!  What a way to kick-off our 10th year of retreats in this northwoods haven.  It feels like a full circle moment.

I’ve been able to enjoy Deep Portage for over a decade both personally and professionally. My husband and I bring our kids out there regularly.   Amanda and I have been leading retreats there going on 10 years. It’s a special place, with a lot of meaning, in a multitude of ways.  

And now.  There’s a new quiet little loop in the woods, dedicated to mindfulness in nature.  Gosh. Incredible.

Want to learn more about Deep Portage Learning Center? Check out their public & school programming, as well as their extensive recreational trail system!