EVERY AUGUST…

We travel to the tip of the MN arrowhead, to the end of the Gunflint Trail, and a 2-mile boat/canoe across the Seagull river to take over Birchwood Wilderness Camp on the edge of the BWCA.

A group of people preparing to kayak on a dock by the water, with the focus on a woman wearing a beige hat, a green jacket, and a pink life jacket, holding a paddle, and other individuals in the background preparing their kayaks.

Adventure Awaits

A Yoga Retreat for the {aspiring} Outdoor Enthusiast

Session 1: August 14-17, 2025

Session 2: August 17-20, 2025

Registration for our

2025 Adventure Awaits Yoga Retreats

will open

January 26th at 8:00am!

Hop in a canoe, and find your self set in the tranquility of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Imagine sitting on your yoga mat and looking out into Northern Minnesota's most tranquil landscape. The beauty of this untouched land is unparalleled. The peace is unimaginable.

Sync up with the pace of nature. Find yourself less distracted, and fully present.

Let us take care of the planning for you. Enjoy guided adventures, great group energy (like kids at summer camp), delicious homemade meals (and no dish duty), yoga classes & workshops, serene nature immersion, and more.

This yoga retreat is open to all-levels of yoga practitioners.  Come with an open heart and adventurous spirit!

Group of people in life jackets and outdoor clothing preparing to kayak or canoe at a wooden dock on a lake during daytime.
Women practicing yoga outdoors under a wooden structure, surrounded by trees. They are seated on yoga mats with water bottles and tennis balls around them.

Birchwood Wilderness Camp

End of the Gunflint Trail

North of Grand Marais, MN

on the edge of the boundary waters canoe area wilderness

“No frills…all thrills!”

A rustic retreat for the adventurous wanderer.

If you consider running water (hot showers!), a bunkhouse to sleep in, and homemade meals fancy…you will be thoroughly spoiled at this retreat.

Group of nine women with hiking gear and a German Shepherd dog on a dock by the lake, smiling in a forested area.
Group of people gathered around a campfire outdoors during dusk, with some sitting on rocks and others standing, surrounded by trees and lit by string lights.
A person is falling off a dock into a body of water during daytime, with a forested background.
A woman wearing a blue safety helmet, black tank top, and shorts rock climbing on a rock face outdoors during daytime.
Group of people practicing yoga in an outdoor wooden pavilion surrounded by trees.
Group of people wearing rain gear and life jackets standing on a dock at a rainy lake, holding paddles, with small boats in the background.
Three women in a red canoe paddling on a lake, with kayaks and a water slide in the background surrounded by trees.
A woman in a life jacket jumping into a body of water with trees in the background.
A woman in outdoor gear smiling and reaching out to a group of people sitting on the ground in a forested area, during what appears to be an outdoor event or gathering.
Group of smiling women on a wooden dock by a river, some wearing life jackets and gear for a water activity, with trees and blue sky in the background.
Group of women and a dog posing for a photo outdoors near a wooden building in a wooded area.
Six women wearing life jackets and hats stand together by a river, smiling at the camera, surrounded by rocks and greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman carrying a canoe on her shoulders while walking on a forest trail.
People kayaking on a calm river surrounded by dense green trees under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Four women standing together on a wooden deck outdoors, smiling and with their arms around each other, in front of a forest background.
Three women smiling while kayaking in a red canoe on a river with rocky and forested shoreline.
Two children, wearing warm jackets and hats, lifting a red canoe together outdoors in a wooded area.
Group of women sitting cross-legged on a wooden platform outdoors with a forest background, participating in a mindfulness or meditation session, with some taking notes and a water bottle visible.
A group of people sitting on a wooden floor under a wooden shelter outside, with trees visible in the background. The person in the foreground is wearing a gray beanie with black trees and a light blue hoodie, writing in a notebook. There are soda ca
A group of people hiking on a narrow wooden trail through a green forest.
A line of hikers walking through a lush green trail in a forested area with tall trees and a cloudy sky.
A serene river landscape surrounded by dense green trees under a partly cloudy sky at sunset.
Sunset over a forested landscape with colorful clouds in the sky.
A wooden outdoor pavilion with string lights, a raised wooden floor, and steps leading up to it, set against a dark night sky.
A dirt trail with rocks lining the edges, illuminated by string lights hanging from trees on the left, leading to a small building or cabin in a forest at night.
Close-up of a bouquet of pink, white, and yellow flowers in a brown glass bottle on a wooden surface outdoors with sunlight in the background.
A wooden gazebo under construction on forest steps with trees and blue sky in background.
A person practicing yoga indoors on a wooden floor, facing large windows with scenic forest view, under a partially transparent roof with string lights.
People practicing yoga on mats in a partially open wooden pavilion surrounded by trees, with sunlight streaming through the roof.
Three women smiling and bundled up in rain jackets and hats, taking a selfie outdoors under overcast skies.
Three women in a red canoe on a lake with green trees and cloudy sky in the background, wearing life jackets and sunglasses, smiling at the camera.
A woman in outdoor hiking gear, including a blue jacket, black pants, and hiking boots, holding a paddle, standing on a dirt trail with trees and rocks, with other hikers in the background.
Group of six women smiling in outdoor boat gear with paddles near a river, surrounded by trees.
Group of people hiking on a rocky trail surrounded by trees and foliage.
Group of people gathered outdoors around a campfire, some sitting and some standing, in a forested area during dusk. Two women are dancing on a large rock, while others watch and enjoy the evening. Torches line the background.
People sitting and standing around a campfire on a large rock formation in a forest, with dark clouds overhead, during dusk or dawn.
Two people in a red canoe on a lake with a forested rocky shoreline in the background.

What’s Included

3 nights, 4 days lodging, showers/flushing toilets, meals (v, gf, df options), drinking water, tea/coffee, yoga, specialty workshops, meditation, journaling, camp activities, BWCAW day trip + gear, hiking, canoe, rock climbing, campfire, sauna, swimming, waterfront activities (giant waterslide, river swing, water trampoline, log roll), relaxation, wildlife, and adventure!

Arrivals + Departures

Please arrive by 3:30pm (sharp) on your first day - we all meet together at the boat landing at the end of the Gunflint Trail.

Departures begin at roughly 10:30am on the last day.

Location

Journey with us way up north- to the tip of the arrowhead.  Our destination is at the end of the historic Gunflint Trail, and a 2 mile boat/canoe ride up the Seagull River. Birchwood Wilderness Camp is located at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 

Packing

We will provide you with a detailed packing list.  Packing as light as possible will be important, that being said we also have a barge that we can put our bags etc on.  The barge’s name is Barracuda!

Opt Outside

Four days and three nights of simplicity.  We will spend much of our time outside, rain or shine.   And yes, there will likely be bugs! August in Minnesota can certainly be interesting.  Sometimes we get lucky with zero bugs and perfect weather, but we cannot guarantee that of course. Rain gear, and bug spray are items included on the detailed packing list to registered attendees.

Smiling woman sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat on a wooden platform in a forest, holding a water bottle, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Two women lying on inflatable raft in a lake, smiling with mountains and trees in background, one wearing a life jacket.
A peaceful river flowing through a forested landscape with green trees and a partly cloudy sky.

Lodging

Camp provides basic bunkhouse accommodations - rustic, one step up from tent camping.  We will be sleeping in bunk houses without electricity.  The windows to the bunk houses are screens. Guests will sleep on the bottom bunks.

There are 7 bunk houses in total: 6 of them have four beds and one of them has six beds.  You bring your own bedding - a sleeping bag and pillow will suffice.  You are provided a clean fitted sheet on your twin-sized bed.

After a long, fulfilling day of outdoor adventure that little bunk bed will feel like a heavenly cloud. 

Ammenities

The shower house, including sinks, toilets, and showers are located in a separate building, a short walk from the cabins.  Yes - there is running water and hot amazing showers!

During free time, take advantage of the serene waterfront, secluded hiking, wood-fired sauna, GIANT WATERSLIDE, river swing, and more.  Woohoo!!

The dining hall has electricity and Wi-Fi.  There is drinking water to fill water bottles.  

Meals

We will eat all of our meals in the dining hall, except for the day trip into the BWCA where a bag lunch is prepared for you to bring along. Birchwood Wilderness Camp staff do an outstanding job preparing our meals.  They also wash our dishes - THANK YOU! Accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergies are well cared for (i.e. V, GF, DF etc.) 

Yoga Classes

Our yoga classes will take place in the great outdoors, on the gorgeous custom yoga deck overlooking the BWCA boreal forest treetops.  In case of inclement weather, we will move to an indoor space overlooking the Seagull River. 

The setting will provide opportunity for both deep introspection, as well as FUN and connection amongst our intimate little community for the retreat. 

Every yoga class will be suitable for all levels: beginner to experienced. 

A small wooden cabin situated outdoors amidst trees, with clothes hanging on a clothesline in front of it, and paddles leaning against the cabin wall.
A group of people participating in a yoga class on a wooden outdoor stage surrounded by trees in a forest.
View through a wooden-framed window of a forest with pine trees during sunset.
Person in a blue jacket and beige hat paddling a red canoe on a calm river with green trees in the background.
People practicing yoga on mats inside a wooden structure with a transparent roof, overlooking a forested area with trees and sunlight.
A woman in an orange jacket sitting cross-legged on a plaid mat outdoors, with other people and camping gear nearby, surrounded by trees during daytime.
Group of smiling women with paddles on a wooden dock near a lake, ready for kayaking, surrounded by trees.
A woman mid-air jumping with a hiking stick in her hand, wearing outdoor gear and a yellow backpack, in a forested area under a partly cloudy sky.
Group of people posing funnily in a forested area during a hike.
Group of smiling women and girls gathered around a campfire on a large rock, outdoors in a forested area with trees and a lake in the background, raising their hands cheerfully.
A group of people on a boat with a Texas flag, surrounded by trees, on a body of water during day.
Group of ten women in outdoor hiking gear posing in a forest
Group of six smiling women with backpacks and outdoor gear on a dock by the water, celebrating and having fun outdoors in a forested area.
Group of eight women in outdoor hiking gear smiling and raising their hands in a forested area with a wooden cabin in the background.
Woman standing on an inflatable water trampoline with arms raised, smiling, near a lake with trees in the background.
Group of women wearing blue knit hats and outdoor jackets, smiling and chatting in a forested area.
Group of smiling people on a wooden stage with shoes and sandals in front, surrounded by trees, outdoors.
Group of seven women on a large rock by a lake, some sitting and some standing, dressed in outdoor hiking gear, with one woman holding a paddle, surrounded by trees and overcast sky.
Two women in outdoor gear standing on a canoe by a lake, flexing their muscles and smiling, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
A person falling off a dock into water during the daytime in a forested area.
A woman rock climbing on a steep, rocky cliff face wearing a blue helmet, a sleeveless teal top, and gray climbing pants, secured with safety ropes, with trees and blue sky above.

BWCA Day Trips

A highlight of our Adventure Awaits retreats is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness day trips. With our retreat location on the edge of the BWCA - access to Minnesota’s pristine wilderness has never been easier!

While in the Boundary Waters, we will canoe, practice mindfulness, explore, breathe, and soak it all in.

All day trip gear will be provided such as: canoe, paddles, lifejackets, BWCA permit, and lunch. Bring your own water bottle. We have refill options for filtered BWCA water and/or iodine treatment.

  • A woman in outdoor gear standing on a rocky shoreline, looking down at the water. In the background, two people are paddling a canoe on a calm, forested lake under a cloudy sky.

    Romance Lake

    Hike from Birchwood Wilderness Camp property to a secluded Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness lake where your canoes await you.

    With no public access to these pristine waters, you are sure to experience quiet, serenity, and breath-taking beauty.

    We enjoy lunch on a big rock in the peace and quiet of the wilderness. Relaxing with a view, cliff jumping, and swimming during lunch are our favorite activities here.

    This trip is recommended for our beginner paddlers. It’s also highly enjoyable for intermediate to experienced paddlers. This lake and day trip is remote and truly special!

  • A group of people in life jackets working to launch their canoes on a forested lakeshore.

    Seagull Lake

    Paddle from Birchwood Wilderness Camp into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Seagull Lake.

    Paddle past BWCA campsites, take in the beauty of the islands and cliffs. Enjoy breathtaking views from the Little Palisades.

    We park our canoes, hike up the Little Palisades, and enjoy lunch with a stellar view that goes on for miles.

    This trip is recommended for our intermediate to experienced paddlers.

  • Three women in rain jackets and life vests sitting in a red canoe on a calm body of water, smiling and looking at the camera.

    Chik-Wauk + Hike

    Paddle from Birchwood Wilderness Camp, through a picturesque BWCAW channel on the Seagull River that leads to Lake Saganaga.

    Paddle on to the historic Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center. Visit the museum, learn about the local history, and explore the 50 acres of trails.

    Hike the trail system up to an expansive lookout over Saganaga Lake and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

    Enjoy your packed lunch at the Chik-Wauk campus prior to the scenic paddle back to camp.

    This trip is recommended for our beginner to experienced paddlers.

  • Group of six women resting by a red canoe on a forested lakeshore, with clothes hanging on a line and trees in the background.

    Overnight in the BWCAW

    New option for returning retreaters! Adventure Awaits Alum are able to apply for the opportunity to enjoy a BWCAW overnight experience. Alum will be emailed the details.

    Paddle into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with your small group and canoe guide. Full support, meals, gear, and guidance provided to you!

    Enjoy a paddle to scope out a campsite. Learn how to pack & prepare, navigate the map, help set-up camp, build a cooking fire, prepare meals, swim, relax, hike, practice yoga, and enjoy peace in the BWCAW.

    Enjoy time and space out in the wilderness. Practice and gain new skills. Build confidence in your abilities. Practice yoga connected to nature.

    All you need to bring is your own clothing, sleeping bag, and camping mat!

Book titled 'Gathering Moss' by Robin Wall Kimmerer, featuring an illustration of moss on the cover, placed on a textured beige carpet.

Optional Book Club Read!

Let’s nerd out on nature, and how cool moss is, shall we?!

Opt to purchase and read Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book: Gathering Moss prior to the retreat to enhance your experience.

Meet the Team

  • Smiling woman in outdoor hiking gear, kneeling with friends during a hike.

    Bryana Cook

    Retreat Leader, Yoga Teacher, Wilderness Canoe Guide, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified

  • A woman sitting on a wooden dock by the water, smiling and making a peace sign with her right hand, wearing a blue jacket, black pants, a black cap, and a backpack, with a small aluminum boat with a Mercury outboard motor nearby.

    Stacy Nightwine

    Retreat Leader, Yoga Teacher

  • A woman sitting on a wooden dock by the water, wearing a red hat and blue jacket, smiling and enjoying outdoor recreation with a person standing nearby.

    Nora Woodworth

    Group Leader, Wilderness Canoe Guide, Outdoor Educator, Yoga Teacher, First Aid + CPR Certified

  • Woman smiling in a red canoe on a calm river, surrounded by rocky and green natural scenery.

    Jessica Wiens

    Wilderness Canoe Guide, Group Leader, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified

  • A woman with brown hair smiling while sitting in a boat on a lake, holding a yellow cup, with another person behind her also on the boat, during daylight.

    Shannon McGrath

    Wilderness Canoe Guide, Group Leader, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified

  • Woman with long, wavy gray hair smiling, wearing a black sleeveless shirt with white print, standing outdoors near a wooden staircase.

    Jessica Baumhofer Frank

    Yoga Teacher, Group Leader

  • A smiling woman in a gray beanie and beige sweatshirt cooking over a portable camp stove outdoors, surrounded by camping gear and trees.

    Elizabeth Sorensen

    Yoga Teacher, Group Leader, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified

  • A woman sitting on a wooden deck hugging a large German Shepherd dog with a forest background. Two other people are doing yoga in the background, and a professional camera with a large telephoto lens is placed on the deck nearby.

    Penny aka Ashley Bredemus

    Retreat Host, Birchwood Wilderness Camp Owner, Photographer

  • A group of women practicing yoga on mats inside a wooden pavilion with string lights, a German Shepherd dog standing on the floor, and trees visible outside.

    Arlo

    Retreat host and unofficial mascot! Arlo and furball siblings Max, Moses, and Louie bring comfort & joy!

FAQs

Are there prerequisites?

You do not need prior yoga/canoeing experience to attend.  An open mind and willingness to learn will be important.  You do need to have the physical ability to sit in a canoe and/or on hard surfaces on the ground outside. 

We will be spending all of our days outside rain or shine.  Plan on bug bites (mosquitoes, flies, etc.) and dirt. Count on memories that last a lifetime! This will require a flexible attitude, and the strength and stamina to enjoy it!

Is there cell service?

There is no cell service on the Gunflint Trail or in the BWCA. You will have wifi in the dining hall at camp.

We send detailed directions and instructions to registered guests prior to the retreat.

Wi-Fi & Electricity

While at Birchwood Wilderness Camp, there is Wi-Fi and electricity in the dining hall only. You can make calls/text via Wi-Fi if your phone has that capability. You can charge your phone in the dining hall. There is also a landline phone to use onsite and we provide you with the number for your family to use. 

Is there running water?

Yes! Birchwood Wilderness Camp has running water. Hot showers, flushing toilets, and treated drinking water for you. Spoiled in the wilderness!

Do people attend solo?

Yes! Frequently. We always have a healthy number of solo retreaters.

The best part about this is - no one to worry about but yourself! The other great thing? Meeting really amazing women that also love getting outside!

Where do we sleep?

Bunkhouses. There are twin-sized bunkbeds. We typically have our guests sleeping on the bottom bed only. We typically room 4-people per bunkhouse. No private/semi-private options available - you could opt to bring your own tent for a private sleeping experience. There are a limited number of reservable tent spaces.

How do we get to Birchwood?

You drive to the very end of the Gunflint Trail (about an hour northeast of Grand Marais). Park your car at the boat landing off the Seagull River and lug your stuff to the handcrafted barge name Barracuda. You can ride on the barge or canoe the two miles down the Seagull River to Birchwood Wilderness Camp. We travel as a group.

Adventure Awaits

People participating in a yoga or meditation class inside a wooden, semi-open pavilion with string lights, overlooking a forested area.

Session 1

  • Two sessions to choose from!

    Session 1: August 14-17, 2025

    Session 2: August 17-20, 2025

  • At the end of the Gunflint Trail, on the edge of the BWCAW. An exclusive summer camp we get the joy of overtaking every August.

Person practicing yoga in a forested outdoor setting under a wooden pavilion with string lights.

Session 2

  • Two sessions to choose from!

    Session 1: August 14-17, 2025

    Session 2: August 17-20, 2025

  • At the end of the Gunflint Trail, on the edge of the BWCAW. An exclusive summer camp we get the joy of overtaking every August.

Investment: $864

This retreat is sold out with a waitlist available. On the waitlist below, you will have the option of a bunkhouse spot or a site to bring your own tent. The tent spaces are small in that the area is quite rocky. A small 1-2 person tent, with only one person per tent, is recommended (so that you can have a flat, grassy, sleeping surface that is comfortable). It is a lovely way to have a private sleeping place.

Group of people practicing yoga on a wooden outdoor platform in a forest.
A woman in a yellow life jacket and black swimsuit falling into the water from a dock at a lakeside area with pine trees.
Three women sitting on a rock outdoors near a river, making a gesture to cover their eyes, mouth, and ears respectively, with a forest and cloudy sky in the background.
Person rock climbing outdoors wearing a blue helmet, gray jacket, black pants, and sandals, using a safety rope and harness.
People practicing yoga on mats in an outdoor wooden structure surrounded by trees, with string lights hanging above.
Hand holding a wooden serving board with bread, grapes, sliced meats, and cheeses outdoors on a cloudy day, with trees and a river in the background.
Group of women practicing yoga outdoors on a wooden deck, standing in a tree pose with arms raised overhead, under a covered wooden structure with string lights, surrounded by trees.
A smiling woman in a plaid shirt holding a blue yoga mat, standing on a wooden platform under a partially covered outdoor structure with string lights, surrounded by green trees.
A woman standing on a treehouse platform surrounded by tall trees in a forest.
Two women smiling at the camera next to a river, with a white canoe on rocks in front of them, and two people in a red canoe on the water in the background. They are wearing life jackets and outdoor clothing, surrounded by trees and overcast sky.
Woman rock climbing outdoors near a river, smiling, wearing a white helmet, sunglasses, and a blue tank top.
Three women sitting at a table on a wooden deck next to a cabin surrounded by trees, with a river nearby, enjoying a conversation and drinks.
Three people in life jackets paddling a red canoe on a calm lake with green forested shoreline in the background.
A woman in a blue swimsuit and orange life vest jumping off a dock into a lake, with a wooded forest background.
A woman climbing a rock wall outdoors, smiling and wearing a helmet and climbing gear, with a bright blue sky and trees in the background.
Two women sitting on a rock outdoors in a forested area, smiling at the camera. One woman is older with short, curly hair wearing sunglasses, a pink t-shirt, and beige pants. The other woman is younger with long dark hair, wearing a baseball cap, a d
A group of women and girls sitting in a circle on a wooden floor inside a partly open wooden structure, surrounded by trees, participating in a yoga or meditation class with some raising their hands and smiling.
Group of women sitting and standing inside a wooden gazebo in a forested area, smiling at the camera.
A blonde woman smiling and waving while standing on a wooden dock near a group of people preparing to embark on a boat by a lakeside on a sunny day. The woman holds a bag that reads 'Keeps Them Cold' and wears sunglasses, a purple shirt, and sandals.
Group of people in a canoe rowing through a forested waterway surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery.
A white ski or sled slide in a forested area with trees, leaves, and a lake visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Group of people hiking on a forest trail surrounded by trees, some carrying water bottles and wearing outdoor clothing.
A woman with a black cap, black jacket, and red pants practicing archery outdoors, aiming a bow at two archery targets on a wooded trail.
Group of people sitting on a rocky outcrop outdoors, listening to a man in a red jacket speaking, with a scenic lake and pine trees in the background, during cloudy weather.
A woman in a pink sweater sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat on a wooden platform outdoors, under a wooden canopy structure, with green trees and blue sky in the background.
Group of people sitting cross-legged on a wooden floor in an open-air shelter, watching a large dog walking in the center. The shelter has a rustic wooden frame with string lights overhead, surrounded by green trees.
View through open French doors showing a small wooden deck with three people standing and talking, surrounded by green trees and clear blue sky.
People with backpacks and camping gear near a lakeside in a forested area, with a hammock tied between trees and a lake in the background.
Group of people on a boat wearing life jackets, with backpacks and gear on the deck, likely preparing for or returning from a kayaking or outdoor adventure on a lake.

Important Information

CANCELLATION POLICY

We hope that you can appreciate the amount of time, love, and energy we wholeheartedly put into each retreat.  Not just during the event, but the many months leading up to it.  

  • Prior to 12 weeks: $40 fee

  • Prior to 8 weeks: $100 fee

  • 6-8 weeks notice: $250 fee

  • 2-6 weeks and less notice: 75% of total amount fee

  • 14 days or less notice: no refunds available

BIPOC SCHOLARSHIPS

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion in the yoga space, we are offering scholarships to Black, Indigenous, people of color at our summer yoga retreats. Please fill out a BIPOC scholarship application here. Thank you!

Read more about our Boreal Bliss Scholarship Foundation here.

EMAILS

Email is how we communicate important info to you. Approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the weekend, we send you emails with important information regarding your weekend retreat including packing list, itinerary, FAQ, pre-retreat survey with roommate requests, dietary needs, and more. Your timely response is important for our planning process. Thank you!