In the words of the Scottish-born American naturalist and ‘father of the National Parks,’ John Muir, “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” While that’s sound advice, why not also make sure those dirt paths are surrounded by breath-taking scenery and some of Mother Nature’s most impressive creations? The vast expanse of land taken up by the United States of America & Canada are home to some incredible views, and those views can inspire you to push your limits and break new boundaries on your next running retreat vacation. If you’re looking to head into the great wide open, under them skies of blue, to pound the trails, then North America has an array of spectacular running trips to get you out of your comfort zone and into your stamina zone...
Zion & Bryce Running Tour
Heading out to run through one of the USA’s national parks will surely get the nod of approval from John Muir, but the four-day Zion & Bryce Running Tour allows you to run through the spectacular scenery of two of the USA’s best-loved national parks: Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park!
The retreat’s epic trails will take you through mountains, slot canyons, buttes, spire-like hoodoos, monolithic rocks, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches. The scintillating scenery will help you push through your limits, and the daily runs will be led by experienced guides and trip leaders who know the area well. The package price includes all accommodation during the tour, as well as all transport, meals (including snacks and beverages), and all park permits, licenses, and fees.
Vancouver Island Trail Running and Wellness Retreat
From the safety of the shoreline, you may see sea lions and seals, or puffins nesting and birds of prey frolicking high overhead in the windswept trees. During our afternoon Whale Watching tour in Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a learning place for sustainable economic, social and environmental development. This biodiverse region is a critical piece of the Emerald Edge—a 100-million-acre coastal, temperate rainforest that stretches from coastal Washington, through British Columbia and into Southeast Alaska.
Each day of the Vancouver Island Train Running and Wellness Retreat presents an opportunity for you to indulge in nature's beauty, self-care and mindfulness, where you can spend your time browsing Tofino's art galleries and boutiques or watch the sun set over Long Beach, lounging by the sea with a book, or soaking in the jacuzzi, find time to the things that fill your soul and recharge your energy.
Desert Highlights Trail Camp in Colorado
Explore trails through vast canyons, beneath towering monoliths, hidden arches and a sweeping landscape that goes on for miles on this Desert Trail Running Camp in Colorado. Over 4 days and 3 nights join local trail and ultra running coaches as we guide you through special clinics and challenging runs.The best part? The base camp is located at the best resort in the heart of Colorado wine country!
After a long weekend you will un-"wine" with winery biking tour visiting various wineries in the area for tastings and to soak in the laid-back lifestyle of this small community. You will also have the opportunity to grab some fresh produce, honey and other items produced in the area by local farmers and ranchers.
Telluride Trail Running & Wellness Retreat
Trail running in the high-altitude landscapes of the Colorado Rockies is perfect for those training for longer distances and also for runners who just love mind-blowing scenery along the way. The Telluride Trail Running & Wellness Retreat aims to provide you with powerful running and mindfulness practices to better manage stress and avoid burnout as you tackle the scenic dirt roads and singletrack trails.
The package includes three nights’ accommodation at The Peaks Resort & Spa, and the experienced retreat leaders and guides will support and advise you every step of the way. With relaxing and restorative yoga classes designed to support optimal post-run recovery each day, you’ll wake free from aches and pains and ready to hit the trail...
Sonoran Desert Trail Running & Wellness Retreat
The Sonoran Desert extends into the northwestern Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur, as well as covering parts of Arizona and California. It is the hottest desert in both Mexico and the United States and will enable you to effortlessly get a sweat on as you tear along its rewarding singletrack trails.
Giant saguaro cacti line the soft, sandy trails among gently rolling hills, as each day you run for one to three hours at a relaxed and social pace. To get the most from this women's Sonoran Desert Trail Running & Wellness Retreat, you should have a base fitness level that allows you to run up to eight miles at a time on roads, and there will be tips for those new to off-road running to help adapt road running techniques for this rockier terrain. Post-run yoga classes will supercharge your recovery and have you ready for the next day’s adventure.
Run & Refresh In Beautiful Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island, aptly shaped like a running shoe, is blessed with wide, fine-sand beaches, a scenic network of paved bike paths, natural beauty at every turn, and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets to boot. The Run & Refresh at Beautiful Hilton Head Retreat for women is perfect for nature lovers with a competitive edge.
The cornerstone of the retreat will be the half-marathon and quarter-marathon races, which are also followed by lively post-race parties. Pre-race yoga by the beach will ensure your muscles are limber, and a post-race session will ensure correct warming down. The package includes accommodation at The Beach House boutique hotel and hot buffet breakfasts to ensure you hit the trails with a full tank.
Montana Trail Running & Wellness Retreat
Glacier National Park’s snow-capped peaks will inspire you to keep pushing, and the fresh mountain air filling your lungs is as sweet and pure as any you’ve breathed before. The national park sits just below the Canada-United States border, and its sublime singletrack trails meander through wildflower meadows, lodgepole pine forests, and along the shores of alpine lakes.
The four-day Montana Trail Running & Wellness Retreat includes three nights at the Lodge on Whitefish Lake and features guided mindful runs to help you achieve proper alignment and natural running techniques. The daily runs range from 5 miles to 10 miles on singletrack trails, and participants should be able to comfortably run 9 miles on roads to get the most from the experience.
Moab Mindful Running Retreat
Moab, in eastern Utah, is known for its dramatic red-rock scenery, and this women-only mindful running retreat will allow you to take it all in as you hit the Navajo Rocks Trail and the Dino Trail. The retreat is suited for those who are comfortable covering between 3 and 6 miles on singletrack trails and for those who are new to running or returning to running after an injury or lay-off.
The four-day Moab Mindful Running Retreat features a helpful Natural Running Form clinic, and the 75-minute stretching and lengthening yoga class designed specifically for runners will ensure your muscles are in tip-top condition for the next day. The retreat includes three nights’ accommodation at the Red Cliffs Lodge on the banks of the Colorado River, a stone’s throw from Arches National Park, and you’ll leave with a valuable set of tools for establishing a consistent, sustainable running practice.
Winter Running Retreat In Orlando
Beat the winter blues and escape the colder climes with a 4-day running retreat in sun-kissed Orlando. The Winter Running Retreat in Orlando features the perfect combination of spectacular running, hands-on coaching, and informative and fun training lessons, all within the subtropical Florida climate.
The retreat will be held at the same time as the 2024 Olympic Trials, also in Orlando, and you will have a chance to spectate when not pounding the trails yourself. Set in the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orlando Breeze Resort, the retreat is perfectly located near miles of superb dirt road running routes, and all speeds and experience levels are welcome.
Our Final Thoughts...
So, there you have it: our top picks for running trips in North America in 2023 and 2024. Whether you're looking to challenge yourself on a rugged trail run, take in the sights snow-capped mountains, or simply relax and enjoy the feeling of the wind in your hair in the great outdoors, we've got you covered. So lace up your shoes and get ready to explore the USA’s best running trails on foot!
If you're still not sure where to start, or if you need help planning your trip, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'd be happy to help you find the perfect running trip for your needs...And if you want to see more running trips, visit us today at Activ Retreats.