Hiking Zen Retreat

Donations are our main source of support, so every offering is greatly appreciated. Your contribution helps us to keep the monastery open to receive guests throughout the year.

We warmly invite you to join us for our Hiking Zen Retreat at Deer
Park Monastery, our third backpacking/camping trip held in the
chaparral mountains of Escondido, CA. Together, we will hike mindfully
through the mountains that hold and protect Deer Park, pitching our
tents beneath wide skies and resting on the earth as our teacher.

Dates: March 1 - 7, 2026

This retreat is camping only—there are no dorm accommodations—offering
a simple and intimate way to practice, breathe, and come home to
ourselves through each step. We will be starting and ending our
journey at Deer Park Monastery, and from there we will be
hiking/backpacking everyday for five days in Daley Ranch State Park,
staying at two different campgrounds.

For those who wish, there is the option to hike with just a daypack;
and some of our volunteers will lovingly transport your larger
backpack from campground to campground, allowing you to walk with a
lighter load.

Please note that hiking experience and self-sufficiency in managing
your own camping, sleeping, and cooking systems is required. We
estimate that there will be 4 to 9 miles of hiking per day. You will
be providing and preparing your own vegetarian food for the
backpacking portion of this retreat, which will be five days. You must
be prepared to set up your own tent and sleep system at each campsite.

The base price of the retreat is $630. The application fee to apply is $30.
Application will be reviewed and if approved you will be expected to pay the full cost to attend.

You may add an additional contribution to your registration if you
would like to help us offer financial assistance to those in need.

If you are in need of financial assistance, please ask.

In the spirit of togetherness, simplicity, and joy, we invite you to
walk with gentle steps and let the mountains support your practice

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Hiking Zen Retreat

Click Here to Apply for the Retreat

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Turn Your Inbox into a Dharma Door

Click Here to Apply for the Retreat

Explore Online Courses

Plum Village App