Everglades National Park Retreats
February 28-March 2, 2026
Wellness in the Wilderness: Everglades + Biscayne National Parks is a retreat facilitated in collaboration with Florida National Parks Association, the official nonprofit partner of Everglades + Biscayne National Parks.
Healing with the land through environmental stewardship.
Immersive adventures through a diverse and breathtaking landscape.
Guided self-discovery activities to help you reconnect with yourself.
Making memories with friends who feel like family.
📍The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida are among the earliest stewards of the Everglades and actively co-steward the land now known as Everglades National Park in partnership with the National Park Service. Curious about the history of the land where you work, live, and play? Native Land is a great starting point for additional research.
Step into the heart of South Florida’s wildest places for a three-day retreat designed to reconnect you - with the land, your body, and your story.
Hosted in partnership with the Florida National Parks Association, Wellness in the Wilderness: Everglades + Biscayne National Parks blends environmental stewardship, mindful movement, and self-discovery across Biscayne and Everglades National Parks. Participants will engage in meaningful service through a shoreline cleanup on Elliott Key, explore the unique ecosystems of South Florida by foot and kayak, and reconnect to themselves through guided reflection and community discussions.
From paddling the mangrove estuaries of Florida Bay with NPS rangers to wading through the ancient cypress domes on a naturalist-led wet walk, every moment is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and remember our place in the ecosystem. Mornings begin with mindfulness, evenings wind down under the stars, and meals nourish both body and connection.
Whether you’re seeking purpose, healing, or simply a deeper relationship with the natural world, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to listen - to yourself, to the land, and to the stories that live in both.
Healing With The Land: This isn’t just about what we get from nature - it’s about what we give back, too. Together, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a shoreline cleanup on Elliott Key, guided by rangers and naturalists who know these ecosystems inside and out. It’s not just about picking up trash - it’s about learning the stories of the land, understanding the impact of our actions, and remembering that care is a two-way relationship. This is healing work, both for the land and for ourselves.
Meals Included: Throughout the retreat, participants can look forward to delicious and nourishing meals. Our partners are providing all meals at this event, starting with lunch on Saturday and ending with breakfast on Monday morning. Meals will be enjoyed in a communal setting, fostering a sense of community and shared appreciation for wholesome, healthful food.
Accommodations Included: As the day's activities wind down, participants will have the opportunity to return to cozy eco-tents at our basecamp for the weekend - Flamingo Adventures. Located at the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula within Everglades National Park, Flamingo provides beautiful campgrounds, an abundance of recreational activities, and phenomenal views of the largest subtropical wilderness in the nation.
Adventures Included: On Sunday morning, we’ll enjoy a Ranger-led kayak tour of Florida Bay (three hours), followed by an unforgettable journey as we explore the Cypress Domes of the Everglades! Led by an Everglades Institute Naturalist, you’ll embark on a guided “Wet Walk” adventure through the lush cypress forests, immersing yourself in the intricate dynamics of elevation and water flow. This is an opportunity to discover the hidden stories of this unique ecosystem while encountering fascinating creatures such as alligators, fish, and air plants along the way. See the “What’s Included” section below to learn more about the physical requirements for this trip.
Self-Discovery Workshops: The retreat offers a series of self-discovery workshops designed to enhance personal growth and well-being. Sydney and Barry Williams will guide participants through activities such as meditation, journaling, and group discussions. These workshops will encourage self-reflection, mindfulness, and the development of strategies for achieving balance and harmony in daily life.
And yes, hiking: The 3-in-1 trail is a 0.8 mile loop that offers a fantastic glimpse of the majesty and complexity of life in the park. Slight elevation changes raise roots and rocks from the river of grass, framing parallel Pine Rockland, Hardwood Hammock, and Sawgrass Prairie habitats for visitors to explore. The trail begins at the south end of the picnic area and is not wheelchair accessible.
This Wilderness Wellness Retreat in Biscayne and Everglades National Parks is more than just a weekend getaway - it’s an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and come home to yourself in the wild. Over three days, you’ll paddle, hike, care, laugh, reflect, and reconnect. You’ll leave with a clearer head, a fuller heart, and probably a few muddy socks. More than anything, we hope you walk away with a deeper connection - to the land, to your story, and to what really matters.
Florida National Parks Association
Mission Statement: The Florida National Parks Association (FNPA) is an official private nonprofit partner (501(c)(3)) of the National Park Service, dedicated to supporting stewardship, education, and the visitor experience across South Florida’s national parks. Since its founding in 1951 as the Everglades Natural History Association, FNPA has worked to protect and promote the unique natural and cultural resources of Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, and Everglades National Parks, as well as Big Cypress National Preserve. Through interpretive materials, educational programs, and fundraising, FNPA inspires public connection, understanding, and long-term support for over 2.5 million acres of public lands.
Registration
Tuition + Fees: $1,197.28
Click the button below to book your spot for this trip. A $250 downpayment will be paid to the Everglades Institute to hold your spot. Have questions? Call the Information Center at (786) 465-4058, or email at info@evernpi.org.
What’s Included?
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This program starts at 9:00am (all times listed are local) on Saturday, so we recommend arriving the day before if you’re traveling from out of town. The program wraps at noon on Monday.
The following transportation is included with your reservation:
Day 1:We will begin by meeting everyone at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Biscayne National Park.
For participants using a ride share to Biscayne, FNPA will have a vehicle available to transport them to Everglades National Park after our return from Elliott Key.
Once back from Elliott Key, FNPA will caravan/transport all participants to Everglades National Park.
Participants who are driving will leave their vehicles near the entrance of Everglades National Park.
From there, everyone will be transported to the Flamingo Campground for the night.
Day 2:
FNPA will provide round-trip transportation to the wet walk location, returning to Flamingo Campground afterwards.
Day 3:
FNPA will transport the group to the 3-in-1 Trail.
After the hike, drivers will be dropped off at the park entrance to retrieve their vehicles.
Ride share participants will be transported closer to town to connect with their next ride.
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Your retreat registration includes two nights in eco-tents at Flamingo Adventures in Everglades National Park.
Participant Eco-Tent Features:
Views: All tents feature at least a partial view of Florida Bay
Camping Elevated: platforms keep you up and away from the worst of the critters, mud, and water
Secure Bathrooms: passcode to the locked bathroom for glamping tent guests only
Dining: Separate eating area at front of boardwalk for glamping tent guests only
In-Tent Amenities
1 Queen Bed, 2 Double Beds or 1 Double Bed
Sheets, blanket, and pillows
Lamp, featuring USB connector and holder for charging small handheld electronics
Fan
Extra power outlets for two additional plugin devices
Shelf with baskets to holds knick-knacks
Large empty space capable of holding your own portable sleep system if preferred
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Since everyone has different needs when in the field, you are encouraged to bring your own snacks. Our partners will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the following schedule:
SATURDAY: Lunch, Dinner
SUNDAY: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MONDAY: Breakfast -
Ranger-Led Kayak Tour (Sunday Morning)
On this three-hour program on Florida Bay, you will be guided by park rangers through the mangrove estuaries and marine ecosystem. You will get opportunities to experience the Everglades wilderness and its diverse habitats, animals, and human history.
Important Information:
This program presents a great opportunity to safely explore Florida Bay with park rangers. You’ll learn all about one of the most unique environments in Everglades National Park!
Paddling experience is required; this program will be strenuous. You must be able to paddle all 3 hours.
At the nearby Marina Store, you can find restrooms, water fountains, and a convenience store. The Guy Bradley Visitor Center also has bathrooms and water fountains.
Plan to bring plenty of water, sun protection, bug spray, snacks, etc. for 3 hours. A packed lunch will be provided.
You may also wish to bring a change of clothes, Ziplocs or drybags, binoculars, and a towel.
You may be asked to assist the Everglades Institute team in lifting and/or moving the kayaks.
The kayaks hold two people and are are plastic with little-to-no back support.
To best accommodate you and make your trip safe and enjoyable, please make a note in your reservation or privately notify park rangers if:
You have had any recent surgeries
You have any back injuries
You have any medical conditions or allergies
You are pregnant
You have other concerns regarding your safety or health
What to Bring
All paddlers are required to bring plenty of water and closed-toe shoes with good tread.
Sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Bug spray or bug jacket
Snacks
Paddling gloves
Breathable long pants and long-sleeve shirt
Binoculars
Waiver Information
Before the trip begins, you will be required to sign our waiver. Upon arrival, you will be required to sign an NPS waiver before joining the tour.
What’s included
Equipment: All paddling equipment will be provided. Kayaks are heavy, and our partners may ask you to help us lift or relocate boats. They also provide life jackets, which everyone is required to wear, and paddles.
Wet Walk (Sunday Afternoon)
Duration: 2 hours
Proper attire is required in order to participate. You must wear long pants, long socks and fully covered tied up shoes/sneakers.
Optional Wet walk gear (overalls and shoes) are available for rent.
Explore the Everglades’ Cypress Domes
Join us for an unforgettable journey as we explore the Cypress Domes of the Everglades! Led by an Institute Naturalist, you’ll embark on a guided adventure through the lush cypress forests, immersing yourself in the intricate dynamics of elevation and water flow. This is an opportunity to discover the hidden stories of this unique ecosystem while encountering fascinating creatures such as alligators, fish, and air plants along the way.
Highlights
Get ready for an exciting adventure! After a quick check-in with your Naturalist, we’ll provide a brief introduction before heading to our wet walk location. The Naturalist will drive our van while you can relax or admire the sights. The drive will take approximately 20 minutes.
Once we arrive, your Naturalist will equip you with a walking stick to navigate through the marl prairie and cypress dome. Under their expert guidance, we’ll begin our 1.5 hour wet walk adventure. Be prepared to wade through hip-deep water as we explore this fascinating terrain.
Please note that participants must be at least 54 inches tall. The terrain will be unstable, so we recommend this trip for those comfortable walking on uneven surfaces without assistance.
Don’t forget to dress appropriately! All participants must wear long pants and fully covered lace-up shoes/sneakers that can handle getting wet, along with long socks.
Avoid rain boots or shoes that don’t allow water penetration, as they could get sucked off during the walk.
Equipment
Walking sticks will be provided to all participants.
Limited number of overalls, shoes, and waterproof phone cases are available. The gear will not prevent you from getting wet, but it will let you have the required attire for this trip. You will still need to come with long socks and you must wear shorts or thin pants to wear under the overall.
While this gear will ensure you have the required attire for the trip, please note the following:
Fit and Availability: Although we have gear available, we recommend using your own clothes and shoes for the best fit, as we cannot guarantee that we will have all sizes available.
Gear Details: The gear will not prevent you from getting wet. You will still need to provide your own long socks, and you must wear shorts or thin pants under the overalls.
Remember to pack essentials like a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent for a comfortable outdoor experience. Consider bringing a dry bag to keep your belongings dry during the wet walk.
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Through guided self-discovery workshops throughout the event, participants can look forward to a weekend of disconnection from every day life to facilitate a deep reconnection with themselves and each other.
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While our healing journeys are deeply personal and unique to our lived experiences, we all have at least one thing in common: we’ve survived everything life has dealt our way so far. Healing in community reminds us that we are never alone in what we’ve experienced and that together, we rise.
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Our partners are providing everything you need for the stewardship project.
Retreat Facilitators
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Sydney Williams is a speaker, author, consultant, and the founder of Hiking My Feelings—a nature-powered movement that transforms pain into purpose through storytelling, community, and time outdoors. Her work bridges personal healing and environmental stewardship, helping people reconnect with themselves and the land.
Through her firm, Wellness in the Wilderness Consulting, Sydney partners with public land agencies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations to design nature-based wellness programs that promote community health, staff well-being, and sustainable stewardship. Her offerings include curriculum development, field institute training, and leadership retreats, all grounded in trauma-informed facilitation and a deep respect for wild places.
With over 15 years in strategic communications—ranging from launching Oscar Mayer’s first social media presence to leading Fortune 500 campaigns—Sydney now advocates for equitable access to outdoor spaces and the well-being of those who protect them. Her work has been featured in BBC, Popular Science, Health Magazine, HuffPost, Psychology Today, U.S. News & World Report, and at events including SXSW and the Public Lands Alliance Convention.
She is a certified Wilderness First Responder, an educator at national park institutes, a founding member of the Outdoorist Oath, and was nominated for Woman of the Year by San Diego Magazine.
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Barry Williams went from high-rises to high altitudes—trading a tech career on Manhattan’s Upper East Side for a trailer in the backwoods of Maine after a single skydiving experience changed the trajectory of his life. Within 18 months of that first jump, he left the world of Fortune 100 clients behind to pursue instructor ratings in the skydiving industry, eventually building a 16-year career as a professional skydiver and mentor.
Originally from New Hampshire, Barry grew up hiking and backpacking in the White Mountains, where he also earned his Wilderness EMT certification. Today, he brings that same sense of adventure, adaptability, and calm under pressure to his work in our programs and retreats.
“What does Barry do around here?”
In short, everything that keeps the train on the tracks. Barry is the behind-the-scenes engine and on-the-ground support—co-leading hikes, facilitating retreats, producing video content, and ensuring participants feel safe, seen, and supported in the outdoors.
Inspired by the teachings of Bruce Lee, Alan Watts, and Jiddu Krishnamurti, Barry lives by the mantra “be like water.” Whether he’s cooking a soulful meal, dropping “Barryisms” that will blow your mind, or telling UFO stories around the campfire, Barry shows up with presence and purpose - and invites others to do the same.
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