Retreats rest you. Pilgrimages transform you.
Come away to be discipled, loved, and anchored in God's truth. Active Abundance pairs hiking with Scripture and sisterhood in some of His most breathtaking creation.
More than a retreat.
A discipleship pilgrimage.
Most retreats give you a weekend to rest. We give you five days to be transformed. Active Abundance pilgrimages are intimate, small-group experiences for women walking through a wilderness season. For some, it's grief, divorce, or burnout. For others, it's a faith crisis, a long wait, or something quieter that's hard to put into words. Every woman's wilderness looks different, and no one's is harder than another's. We go into the wilderness together because that's where God has always done His deepest work.
What Makes This Different
Everything we do is built on a framework we call WILD, four pillars of discipleship that shape your entire journey.
W: Walk in Worship
Draw near to God in His presence and creation.
I: Ignite your Faith
Strengthen your faith through Scripture, testimony, and surrender.
L: Lean on Community
Be known, encouraged, prayed for, and reminded you are not alone.
D: Dwell in God's Word
Anchor yourself in truth and learn to hear God through His Word.
What Your Days Will Look Like
Guided Hikes
Every trail is chosen with purpose. We hike not as a workout but as a pilgrimage, moving through creation while God moves through us. Each hike is paired with Scripture and reflection, turning every step into an act of worship.
Worship
We gather to sing, pray, and draw near to God together. These aren't performances. They're moments of surrender, where women who came in carrying heavy things begin to lay them down.
Scripture Meditation and Biblical Teaching
Guided time in God's Word woven into every day. Through teaching, testimony, and personal reflection, you'll sit with Scripture, wrestle with it, and hear from God in your own season.
Solo Time with God
Intentional space to be alone with your Creator. Some of the most powerful moments on a pilgrimage happen in the stillness, when it's just you and God and nothing to rush toward.
Community
Shared meals. Honest conversations. Prayers spoken over you by women who just met you but already love you. This is sisterhood that goes deeper than surface-level small talk and stays with you long after you get home.
What Past Pilgrims Say
The Active Abundance retreat experience was life-changing. Everything was planned so well. Even the unplanned moments were lasting memories I will never forget! The leaders are doing great work discipling women through wilderness seasons, putting God first and foremost. The retreat came at a perfect time on my journey with God and will always be a time I remember lovingly. I’m grateful for every woman on the trip and for having a supportive community of friends.
-Amanda Barnal
I came to this pilgrimage during a season of exhaustion, anxiety, and emotional weariness. I left with something I didn't even know I needed. Being immersed in nature was refreshing and restorative and the quietness and simplicity of the outdoors reminded me of God's presence in a way that brought real peace and healing.
One of my biggest breakthroughs came on the very first day when I realized I wasn't going to make it to the top of the mountain. At first, turning back felt like failure but, as I hiked back down, I found myself surrounded by breathtaking beauty I would have missed otherwise. In that moment, God began teaching me that His presence isn't reserved for mountaintop moments. He is just as real in the valleys.
Coming home, I've been intentional about slowing down and creating space to rest. I'm learning to be present and take care of my mind, body, and spirit. But one of the greatest gifts has been the relationships formed along the way. What started as a pilgrimage has become a sisterhood. I've gained sisters for life and that truth continues to shape my priorities every single day.
If you're considering going: just go.
-Ellie L.
Frequently Asked Questions
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More than a retreat, a discipleship pilgrimage is an invitation to meet God in the wilderness and walk with Him into abundance. Over five days in Zion National Park, a small group of women hike, worship, study Scripture, and grow together through our WILD framework: Walk in Worship, Ignite Your Faith, Lean on Community, and Dwell in God's Word. It's less about getting away and more about going deeper with God.
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Active Abundance pilgrimages are for women walking through a wilderness season. A wilderness season is any time life feels uncertain, heavy, or unfamiliar, and God feels harder to find. Every woman's wilderness looks different, and each one matters. Wherever you find yourself, this is a place to meet God and walk with Him toward abundance.
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Not at all. Women come with all kinds of faith backgrounds, from lifelong believers to those just beginning to explore. All you need is an open heart. We'll walk through Scripture together, and no prior Bible knowledge is expected.
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Yes! In fact, most women come without knowing anyone. Each pilgrimage is limited to a small group of eight to ten women, so you'll get to know one another quickly. Community is at the heart of what we do, and our motto on the trail is "no one left behind."
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Our pilgrimages to Zion National Park include daily hikes ranging from easy to challenging. Trails often include Scout Lookout (our most demanding, with significant elevation gain and the switchbacks of Walter's Wiggles), Observation Point via the East Mesa Trail (our longest, but mostly flat), the Watchman Trail, Canyon Overlook, and gentler walks like the Riverside Walk. We keep a consistent schedule but remain flexible to meet the needs of each group.
To prepare, we recommend walking daily and gradually adding distance and elevation. We'll share more detailed preparation tips before your pilgrimage. If you have limited eyesight, vertigo, a fear of heights, or reduced aerobic capacity, please reach out before registering so we can talk through whether this pilgrimage is a good fit for you.
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Your pilgrimage includes lodging at our retreat house in Springdale, Utah, all meals, transportation during the retreat (including a private shuttle to and from the Las Vegas airport), and all programming and materials. You'll just need to book your own flight into Las Vegas (LAS). Pricing for each pilgrimage is posted on its page once registration opens and varies by room type (shared or private). Payment plans are available.
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Fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. From there, a private shuttle brings you to our retreat house in Springdale, Utah, just outside the entrance to Zion National Park, and returns you to the airport at the end of the pilgrimage. We'll share a recommended arrival window once you register.
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Registration typically opens several months before each pilgrimage. For current dates and details, or to join the waitlist, click Apply for Our Upcoming Retreat below.
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Thanks to the generosity of our community, limited scholarships may be available for some pilgrimages. If cost is a concern, please reach out to us at amy@activeabundance.org. We'd love to talk with you.
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A non-refundable deposit reserves your spot. If you need to cancel, your refund depends on how far ahead you let us know:
90 or more days before the pilgrimage: full refund, minus the deposit
60 to 89 days before: 50% refund, minus the deposit
30 to 59 days before: 25% refund, minus the deposit
Fewer than 30 days before: no refund
If Active Abundance cancels a pilgrimage for any reason, you'll receive a full refund, including your deposit. Because airfare and other travel costs aren't covered, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Active Abundance does not offer travel insurance.