Wintering Well
The Art of Seasonal Slowing
A winter retreat at Dappled Light Retreat Center in Red River Gorge, Kentucky
We are thrilled to invite you to our winter retreat at Dappled Light Retreat Center in the quiet heart of Red River Gorge, Kentucky. This is your invitation to immerse yourself in nature and s l o w w a y d o w n.
We tend to do summer really well in our culture, packing our calendars and squeezing every last drop of activity from those endlessly long days.
But winter asks something different of us. It invites us to do less. To leave empty space on the calendar. To welcome stillness. To restore the parts of ourselves that get ignored or avoided in the busy-ness of the other seasons. But perhaps you need a little help to answer that invitation with a generous YES.
So here’s the plan: three cozy nights tucked into the winter woods, nourished by beautiful, seasonal food and drink, daily yoga classes, guided reflection exercises, and plenty of downtime. And best of all, you’ll be supported and surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals, all looking to slow down too.
Join us to remember how it feels to move at nature’s pace. Join us to winter well.
The Location: Dappled Light
Nestled deep within Red River Gorge, Kentucky, inside the Natural Bridge State Park and the Daniel Boone National Forest, Dappled Light Retreat Center is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region. Towering cliffs, hidden waterfalls, forested trails, and graceful rock arches dot the entire area. There are multiple trail options on-site to bear witness to these flourishes of Mother Nature.
In winter, we are so lucky to get unobstructed views of the gorge, sweeping horizon lines, and the kind of stillness that only cold winter air can provide. It’s the perfect time and place to find stillness.
Your home for the weekend: nine thoughtfully designed glamping cabins, each perched on stilts and opening onto a private deck that gazes directly into the forest. Every cabin is intentionally designed for peace, comfort, and coziness, featuring:
Electricity and warm ambient lighting
A cozy gas fireplace to keep you comfortable from sunrise to moonbeams
Real memory foam beds dressed in warm linens and grounding blankets
A private porch or sitting area for morning coffee and quiet time
Privacy coverings on all windows for complete seclusion
Beautiful, intentional design details that invite relaxation and rejuvenation
Each of Dappled Light’s nine forest cabins is beautifully unique. Some hold a single king bed for a solo retreat; others offer two full or Queen beds or a full bed with a pull-out couch, perfect for friends retreating together. Every cabin is super roomy, with enough space to unroll a yoga mat and spread out. We’ll help you find the exact right fit for you.
Some cabins sit closer to the bathhouse for easy access and convenience, while others are tucked a bit deeper into the woods, offering a touch more privacy and solitude.
No matter which cabin you call home, you’ll find the same thoughtful touches — soft lighting, real beds, warm fireplaces, and a sense of peaceful simplicity that invites you to slow down and truly rest.
Food + Drink
Nourishment is the name of the game here and we’ll pay as much attention to how we eat as we do to what we eat. Meals will be seasonally minded, lovingly prepared, and deeply satisfying. And we’ll enjoy them without distractions as a ritual and a way to slow down.
Our outstanding chef, Angela from XO, babe, balances flavor, texture, and beauty, using organic and local ingredients whenever possible. Expect mostly vegetarian meals, with occasional chicken options for extra nourishment. Plus smore’s of course. Each dish will be handcrafted and homemade by her. Y’all are in for a huge treat.
You’ll enjoy three meals a day, along with a welcome snack and beverage upon arrival, a daily herbal elixir to support digestion and energy, and a to-go lunch on the final day for your journey home.
Think golden lentil soups and roasted roots, bright citrus salads, tons of fresh herbs, homemade breads, and cozy teas by the fire — food that feeds body and spirit alike.
The Schedule
Our days at Wintering Well will unfold gently and with no rush. We’ll have enough structure to keep you supported and enough downtime for you rest, wander (internally or otherwise), and feel spacious.
Days will include a blend of daily supported yoga practices, guided reflection activities, an Ayurvedic workshop on mindful nourishment, and a winter hike to a nearby ridge where we’ll pause to take in the sweeping views of the Gorge.
There will be ample unstructured time for reading, journaling, napping, or simply staring into the distance. We’ll also have an optional expert-led bourbon tasting to savor Kentucky’s local craft and learn more about the local culture and region.
Everything is optional. This is your time to do what you want.
The Rookery, where meals and yoga classes will take place, with a real fireplace!
What’s Included
Three nights of lodging at the glorious Dappled Light Retreat Center, in an individual tent cabin that is both totally immersed in nature and yet a short walk to all of the amenities. Check in at noon on Thursday, Feb. 5th and check out at noon on Sunday, Feb. 8th.
Food by the incredible XO, babe from right here in Nashville. All meals, snacks, strong coffee, healing herbal teas, desserts, and delightful bites included in your stay.
Daily supported and restorative small group yoga classes
Ayurvedic workshop on mindful nourishment
Guided reflection activities for introspection and connection
Winter hike to take in the wide open views (weather permitting!)
Peace, quiet, and plenty of time to yourself
Optional add-on: an expertly-led bourbon tasting, to learn the history of the area and how to taste well through its most famous export
Getting There
Dappled Light Adventures, 1132 Derrick Ridge Rd, Beattyville, KY, 41311
Dappled Light Retreat Center is located east of Bowling Green in the heart of the Red River Gorge area and easily accessible via car. It’s a lovely, breezy four hour drive from the Nashville area. Or, if you’re flying in, it’s just over an hour’s drive from Lexington “Blue Grass” Airport (LEX) and a two hour drive from the Louisville Airport. There are direct flights into both airports from a variety of larger cities.
We’re more than happy to help with directions and give our opinion on the best way to get there. But the entire journey is paved, with just the very last turn towards Dappled Light onto a gravel road. We recommend a car with four-wheel drive because it’s winter and you never know. But honestly, you’re probably fine without too. Reach out with any concerns or questions about getting there!
