Travel Trends: Forest Bathing: Nature

By Robin O’Neal Smith Associate Editor

In recent years, the pursuit of health and wellness and eco-tourism have become major travel trends.

One trend that marries the innate human desire for connection with nature, wellness, and the growing eco-tourism movement is the tranquil practice of forest bathing. Forest bathing invites travelers, wellness enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike to immerse themselves in the serenity of the forest.

What is Forest Bathing?

Originating from Japan, where it is known as Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is the practice of taking in the forest atmosphere through a slow, mindful walk among the trees. It’s about being present in the natural world, engaging all five senses to fully absorb the forest’s essence. This simple, yet profound, act has been scientifically shown to reduce stress, improve mood, enhance focus, and boost the immune system.

My friend and fellow writer, Julie Diebolt Price of PhotoTravelWrite.com, enjoyed her Forest Bathing Experiences. She told me, “I had two very different forest bathing experiences–one in a magnificent redwood forest in Mendocino County, California, and the other at the Desert Botanical Garden among the cacti in Phoenix, Arizona. While each location was different in plants, trees, and climate, both experiences brought introspection and appreciation of the stillness, quiet, and intricate beauty of nature.”

Tea Ceremony at the end of forest bathing session in the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Photo credit Judy Karnia

Benefits of Forest Bathing

Forest bathing has many physical benefits besides the mental and emotional ones. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and improve cardiovascular health. Being in nature has also been linked to improved sleep quality, strengthened immune system function, and increased energy levels.

Forest bathing also offers gentle physical activity, which can improve muscle strength and flexibility. Its slow pace invites participants to tune into their bodies and reconnect with nature in a way that is both restorative and rejuvenating.

Forest bathing sounds like something we could all benefit from.

How to Experience Forest Bathing

Experiencing forest bathing requires no special equipment or skills—just a willingness to slow down and open yourself up to the natural world around you. Here are some tips to get started:

● Find a peaceful and secluded spot in the forest to fully immerse yourself.

● Turn off or silence any electronic devices to eliminate distractions.

● Take slow, deliberate steps, noticing the forest’s sights, sounds, and smells.

● Pause often and take deep breaths, inhaling the phytoncides—natural oils produced by trees that have health-boosting properties.

● Touch the bark of trees, feel the texture of leaves, and sit on the forest floor to ground your experience. These activities connect you with nature.

● Avoid talking or engaging in heavy physical activity during your forest bathing session.

● Stay present and mindful, letting go of thoughts or worries about the outside world. It’s important to note that there is no right or wrong way to practice forest bathing. The key is to find what works best for you and allows you to connect with nature fully.

TIP: If this is your first time indulging in Forest Bathing, consider a guided experience.

Why A Forest Bathing Guide is Helpful

Judy Karnia, a Certified Forest Bathing Guide who tours at Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ, and the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix, AZ, explained, “A forest bathing guide leads participants to slow down and reconnect with nature. Bringing awareness to all of your senses in a slow, meditative walk helps people connect to nature and become more grounded. Forest bathing can improve mental and physical health and your mood, focus, and creativity.”

While forest bathing can be a solitary activity, a guide can enhance the experience by leading you to the most impactful spots and helping you engage with the environment in a deeper, more meaningful way. Guided sessions often include mindfulness exercises and invitations to interact with the forest in unique ways, making the experience richer and more beneficial. You can learn more about Forest Bathing and connect with Judy at https://www.forestbathingfinder.com/guide-profile/judyk/

Places to Enjoy Forest Bathing

The beauty of forest bathing is that it can be done in any woodland area. I’m fortunate to live next to state game lands in Pennsylvania, so I can take a few steps from my home to enjoy Forest Bathing. Some destinations offer exceptional experiences that cater specifically to this wellness practice.

In the United States

Forest bathing is becoming increasingly popular. You can probably find places to enjoy guided forest bathing in every state. You can search for a Guided Forest Bathing walk near you at https://www.forestbathingfinder.com/find-awalk/. Here are a few that have exceptional offerings.

● The Resort at Paws Up and the Green o, in Montana: These luxury resorts offer guided nature walks through lush forests in the Montana wilderness along the Blackfoot River. The resort provides a meditative, guided Forest Bathing experience beginning with a grounding meditation, followed by a mindful walk with opportunities to pause and reflect as needed. They even offer spa services in the forest. Their adults-only property on the resort, the Green o, provides private decks and hot tubs for a different take on Forest Bathing.

● Whispering Woods Spa at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown, PA: Forest bathing for one and two hours is offered at the Whispering Woods Spa at Oak Lodge. Spa treatments in a serene woodland setting in the Laurel Highlands are recommended after forest bathing.

● The Foundry Hotel, Asheville, NC, with Asheville Wellness Tours: Guests can explore the magical forests of North Carolina with expert guides to enhance their forest bathing experience. They can also experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains through an eclectic menu of experiences, including Blue Ghost Firefly Forest Bathing, as the species light up the forest at night.

● Spa Alila: Alila Napa Valley is a boutique adults-only luxury hideaway in charming St. Helena infused with the rustic charm of the Napa lifestyle. The spa offers a Bothe Hike & Forest Bathing in the shaded redwood forest of Napa Valley’s Bothe State Park. The guided hike can also be booked as a private session.

● Finger Lakes Forest Immersion, NY: Engage in immersion walks and retreats offering public and private forest therapy experiences. Finger Lakes Forest Immersion offers both public forest immersion walks and group immersion walks. You can even request an individual forest therapy experience!

● Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York: This 1869 iconic Victorian castle resort in the Hudson Valley offers guided nature walks in its stunning natural surroundings alongside Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming at Mohonk.

● Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery, Sonoma County, CA: Combine forest bathing with a taste of California’s wine country. At Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery, guests immerse themselves in a unique forest bathing and estate wine-tasting encounter led by Certified Nature Therapy Guide Jenny Harrow-Keeler. Following an immersive forest bathing experience, guests are escorted to a seated tasting of wines cultivated in Bartholomew’s sustainably farmed vineyards.

● Lakeview at Fontana, Bryson City, NC: While not a guided experience, this takes forest bathing to a new level. Tucked away in nature and overlooking Bryson City’s pristine Fontana Lake is the hidden gem of Lakeview at Fontana—Soaking Cabana Resort. Guests hike through the forest to access Treetop Soaking Cabianas perched on a mountainside, offering a unique and memorable experience with a spectacular view of the Smoky Mountains.

International Destination

● Barcelona Discovery, Spain: Offers private tours that include forest bathing in the beautiful landscapes surrounding Barcelona.

Forest bathing is more than just a travel trend— it’s a return to our roots, offering a profound way to reconnect with the earth and find peace in the present moment. Whether you’re exploring the lush forests of Montana or the sacred woods near Barcelona, the practice of Shinrin-yoku promises a rejuvenating escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, grounding you in the healing power of nature.

Eco-tourism continues to grow, and forest bathing is a prime example of how travel can transform our lives, not just by where we go but by how we choose to be present once we arrive.