Women~
We invite you to join us.
To reconnect to your wild heart,
To your body’s knowing,
To ritual, nature, song, & sisterhood.
The 6th Annual Wild Heart Women’s Gathering will take place September 3-6, 2027
Wild Heart Women's Gathering is a soul rooted retreat for women called to deepen their connection with self, sisterhood, and the wild forces of nature. Inspired by the bold and beautiful offerings of empowered women leaders, WHWG brings together ceremony, knowledge, movement, art, and a new way of relating as women.
Over four days in the beloved Mancos valley in Southwest Colorado, we gather in sacred circle with 10 powerful women guides, offering transformational practices, creative expression, and embodiment rituals that reconnect us to our wild nature and the ancient wisdom within.
Welcome to women of all ages and teens 15 and above. Teens (under 18) must be accompanied by their mother or caregiver. Moms with babies under 1 year old are also welcome, please see the note in Lodging.
Gallery
The Land
Our gathering place, Deer Hill basecamp, in Mancos, Colorado, is located on 130 acres of meadowland and pinion-juniper forest at the base of Menefee Mountain in the Mancos River Valley. Located 30 miles west of Durango, CO, and six miles from Mesa Verde National Park, the Mancos Valley has a long tradition of agriculture, kept alive today in multigenerational ranches and small organic farms.
At Deer Hill, you’ll enjoy cozy common spaces, beautiful grounds, and a ranch-like feel. The strawbale-constructed Meeting Place, with its many south-facing windows, wood floors, and custom woodwork provides an inspiring venue for indoor movement and sound workshops.
Deer Hill’s beautiful outdoor grounds include lush grassy fields, shady cottonwood trees, hiking opportunities right from the property, and a great palapa on which to relax in the shade by the pond. Our outdoor workshops will take place in the soft grass beneath the biggest cottonwood; this gathering space will be affectionately called The Cottonwood.
The House, where the kitchen is located, is a great place to relax and read a book or play a game, and will be our indoor alternative in case of rain for any outdoor workshops. The House creates an incredibly authentic, homey feel at Deer Hill, as it was the Founders’, Doug and Beverly Capelin, primary residence for most of Deer Hill’s history.
The Lodging
The Camping options are plentiful in the valley of the Mancos Hills, where you will share your nights with wildflowers and wildlife.
The Bunkhouse cabins have an open floor plan, with bunkbeds along the perimeter. Tucked amongst the piñon and juniper trees, these cabins provide the classic “camp experience” for guests.
All campers and bunkhouse guests share the bathrooms in The Showerhouse.
The Loft is a beautiful second-story lodging option overlooking the valley with comfortable shared or private bedrooms and shared bathrooms.
Nourishment
Our Chef will be crafting up delicious, nourishing, gluten free, locally inspired brunches and dinners (2 meals per day, brunch and dinner, starting with dinner on Friday and ending with brunch on Monday.)
Please Note:
Teas, fresh fruits, and filtered water will be available throughout the day.
Please bring your own snacks. Suggestions are fruit, dates, bars, nuts, seeds, and superfood drink mixes.
Special diets will be lovingly accommodated to the best of our ability.
The Red Tent
The Red Tent has survived a complex history. Once a place of exclusion for women to bleed during the days of menstruation, it is now a liberation movement, characterized by unity, support and freedom. Cross culturally, as women have taken ownership of the Red Tent, it has become a haven and special place to gather. At Wild Heart Women’s Gathering, the Red Tent will tenderly hold anyone who wishes to engage: children to elderly, bleeding or ovulating, any color, orientation, identity, those with a womb or without. Within the walls of the tent, we are encouraged to rest, learn, grieve, sing, and connect with each other. It is a place of ceremony. A place to bring life and release it. A place of magic. A place for all of us to share in the wisdom, joy and pain of women.
Equine Assisted Wellness
2 special HORSES will join us at Wild Heart.
Horses offer a unique experience when paired with healing modalities. They are calm and grounding space holders, responding in real time to the energy presented to them. Starting a body work and/or energy work session by connecting with a horse is a powerful way to drop into a deeply healing and connecting space. Their peaceful presence primes the space for a relaxing and restorative experience.
Hazel and Hunter will be in the pasture throughout the retreat. They are quarter horses born together here in SouthWest Colorado. Coming on 6 years old, they’ve been together since birth and have a special bond.
Danielle Wilcock, grateful steward of Hazel Croft in Bayfield, CO. Certified Equine Assisted coach, Reiki and Shiatsu practitioner, and Auricular Acupuncturist will be offering 30 minute equine assisted wellness sessions throughout the Wild Heart Women’s gathering.
After booking your ticket, you will receive information on available time slots and how to book an individual Equine Assisted Wellness session (not included in ticket price).
If the above button link is not working, click here to get your tickets.
Payment Plans are available. See Payment and Cancellation Policies Here
Interested in Volunteering for a discount?
Email our Volunteer Coordinator and House Mama Alli Cloyd at trueradiance88@gmail.com
Vendors
Body and Face Adornments
Rose Krajnik will be holding sacred space for a unique and intimate experience: using your body as a living canvas on Sunday before the Deep Feast.
Through intentional adornment, you’re invited to express your essence, your prayers, or the transformation you are stepping into during the retreat. Whether you're marking the beginning of a new journey or honoring the path you’ve walked, this is a moment to let your body speak without words.
These adornments are more than decoration — they are a bold, beautiful reflection of your inner world. A celebration of your fierce beauty, your individuality, and your place in the greater whole.
By donation.
True Radiance Tallow by Alli Cloyd
True Radiance is a small woman-owned movement supporting beauty, local regenerative farmers, and your ancestral roots. Compared to most conventional skincare brands out there, we use only simple, non-toxic ingredients. We never use essential oils or fragrances - yuck! The nourishment of True Radiance Tallow is an experience you’ve never had before - one of guaranteed confidence and deep-rooted health. Because, unlike the products that strip your precious skin leaving it bare, our tallow has the power to regenerate your skin and keep it thriving.
Native Heritage Apothecary
Native Heritage Apothecary is a woman-owned business based in Pagosa Springs, CO, that helps connect people to nature & the innate wisdom that resides within us all so we as a community can overcome challenges through our resiliency. We use only organic herbs and ethically sourced materials in our products. At Wild Heart Women's Retreat, Skye will showcase her specialized formulas of: herbal teas, women-focused tinctures, smoke blends and yoni steam herbs. Skye will be happy to support you in what will work best for individuals.
Enlighten by Ellie
Hand poured eco-friendly custom soy and coconut candles.
Note for Moms with Infants (Under One Year):
This year, we’re warmly welcoming moms with infants under one to join us—with your little one in tow! If you plan to bring your baby, please include a note with your registration and select the camping option.
We suggest attending with a close friend or mother figure if possible, so you can take turns caring for your baby and also have some time to fully participate and recharge.
We lovingly welcome the natural presence of babies, including soft baby sounds during most activities. For quieter moments, we kindly ask you to be mindful of the group and step out when needed to maintain a peaceful space for all. Quiet areas will be available during the day if you or your baby need a break or a place to rest.
We’re so glad to have you with us.
Testimonials
“I arrived feeling nervous, uncertain and tired. I left feeling revived, deeply nourished, and connected to source and sisterhood. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the privilege and opportunity to sit in circle with other striving women walking a path of courage, curiosity and spiritual growth. I was showered with permission to love myself, to love, to receive, and to slow down. My daily practice, which had waned in the business of spring time, was rejuvenated and has continued with me back into the so called real world. I feel lighter, connected to my joy, and expanded into more aspects of the feminine. There were SO many juicy nuggets of wisdom, pleasure, inspiration, joy, and celebration. This weekend was profoundly transformational for me on my path to a more embodied and loving life as a woman.” ~ Claire Broughton
This was my first year attending Wild Heart Retreats in Mancos, Colorado! The property is stunning with all the amenities/facilities you need to be comfortable during your stay! I had the chance to volunteer & get to know the core team over the weekend. Lily & everyone who creates Wild Heart greeted me with open arms which made me feel instantly at home! I highly recommend coming to Wild Heart to explore your feminine powers, do some very deep healing & awaken to your inner spirit! ~ Skye Schmelzer
“The wild heart women’s retreat was an incredible gift. It gave me a safe space to truly connect to other women on the deepest of levels. I was able to find so many ways to return to my true self and I am inspired moving forward to find ways to take the magic of this retreat and incorporate them into my daily life.” ~ Katie Butzen
“I am so grateful for the amount of "firsts" I had over this beautiful weekend. I was supported in stepping out of my comfort zone to experience a level of connection I have never felt so strongly among women. I didn't know anyone else who was attending, and left part of a sisterhood. This environment offered me space to start releasing hurts I've been carrying around for years. It allowed me to discover new things about myself and taught me to honor it all. "Good", "bad" and everything in between. I feel a new sense of self confidence, and a deep knowing of my capabilities to tend to my own heart, so I am never alone. As well as my feminine health and well being. I am committed to advocate for my wants, needs and desires with a fierce passion, because I KNOW and BELIEVE I DESERVE them. It was powerful and heartfelt, gentle and challenging, everything I didn't know I needed. It was amazing, these women are amazing, WOMEN ARE AMAZING. I am so much more comfortable in my own skin, it's lovely.” ~ Danielle Wilcock
“The Awakened Heart retreat I attended was so beautifully crafted. It cracked me wide open and inspired me in the most profound way. The caliber of facilitators and teachers were absolutely mind blowing. I wish every human being could experience an Awakened Heart retreat.” ~ Victoria Fitzgerald
“Attending a women’s gathering of this magnitude gave me a place to fit in. A place that I did not realize I so desperately needed and longed for. Having this many women together, talking of subjects that are taboo in this day in age, is truly healing. We spoke together, felt together, and healed together. The power of feminine togetherness has the capacity to change the world. My divine feminine felt this union in my bones and soul. It was cathartic in an ancient way. A way that my soul applauded for finally figuring out. This event changed me. It has made me more confident as a wombman, more accepting as a human, and most importantly announced a call to action for my purpose here. I have deep gratitude for this event and its facilitators. The space held at the Wild Heart Women’s Gathering was divinely designed for true growth. It was a magical container to aid me in my transformation and I am truly blessed to have been a part of it. I would recommend this event to any wombman in my life without a hint of hesitation.” ~ Emma Hooper
“When I registered for the retreat I imagined a gathering with women at a beautiful place and hoped to learn more about yoga and plants. I had no idea the transformation I would receive in just one weekend. The physical pain I had in my shoulder and hip (that I had resigned to just living with) went away. I learned so much about the energy I had been storing that needed to be released. I felt my heart open to receive love. I feel so inspired by so many of the women that I met. I just can't get enough. I want to sign up for everything that is offered by all of the wonderful teachers at this retreat. Something in me changed this weekend that I want to explore more deeply. I have deep gratitude for everyone that I met during this gathering. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!” ~ Veronica Pritchett
“The Wild Heart Women’s Gatherings are a sacred and safe place for women to nourish deeply, learn greatly, expand and connect with other leaders in the community and beyond. I use these long weekends as a retreat for myself to unplug, play, find edges, experiment and make deeper connections. I am incredibly grateful for these events and plan to continue to prioritize them for myself as they are a beautiful support for growth and love.” ~ Ani Silversprings
Tickets
Please click here to go to the payment page. Payment Plans are available. Scroll down for information on discounted volunteer positions.
Any questions, please email wildheartwomensgathering@gmail.com!