




Shaped by more than a decade of shared dharma practice, teaching, and spiritual friendship, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to deepen into presence in a setting of wild natural beauty. Participants are invited into a meaningful relationship with themselves, with one another, with the land, and with all beings everywhere without exception.
Through practice and inquiry, the retreat explores belonging, connection, and nature as pathways for softening the illusion of separation and returning to the heart. Rooted in foundational Dharma teachings, the program includes traditional sitting and walking meditation instruction, along with daily chances to practice together in the deep woods.
This is a silent retreat. At the same time, it also includes structured, guided relational practice, offering space for inquiry and sharing within the retreat container. Held with warmth and care, this experience supports participants in cultivating kindness, insight, and a felt sense of interdependence.

The tent cabins at Vallecitos offer a simple, yet comfortable, low-cost accommodation. The tent cabins are on wooden platforms with canvas walls. Each has a bed, a small table and chair. There are zipper windows in the tent cabins and the front opening can be spread wide to invite in sunlight. All tent cabins have a small propane heater. Tent cabins are single occupancy, stand-alone structures. Please note that tent cabins tend to be colder in the shoulder seasons (May and September/October).

An economical option intended only for experienced campers. You are required to bring your own tent camping gear, as Vallecitos does NOT supply a tent. Temperatures are highly variable, precipitation is to be expected, and you are expected to be fully self-sufficient. This option is strongly discouraged for anyone new to Vallecitos. Please note that our tent camping spaces, like all Vallecitos housing options, are single occupancy. You may not share a tent or camping space with other retreat participants. Pricing includes meals.

This option covers retreat costs and helps support others who require financial assistance to attend. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible. We greatly appreciate your help in supporting access to practice on retreat at Vallecitos. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals.

This rate covers the actual costs of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals.

This option is a 35% scholarship of the actual costs of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals. If you require additional scholarship assistance above this rate, please select this housing option. Complete your registration, and then submit an additional scholarship application (directions are provided after registering).

A secluded cabin overlooking mountains, meadows and the Vallecitos River, the Hermitage is the perfect setting for a more private retreat experience. The octagonal cabin is furnished with a queen size bed, night stand, desk, chair, shelves, sink, and counter. A private outhouse for the hermitage is nearby. The hermitage is a single occupancy heated space. The price includes meals and lodging.

About Erin TreatBased in Durango, Colorado, Erin Treat has been practicing Buddhist meditation for nearly three decades. Since 2013, she has served as the Guiding Teacher of Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center, while also teaching regularly at Spirit Rock and the Insight Meditation Society. For 20 years, she held leadership roles on the Teaching Council of the Durango Dharma Center. Her...
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About DaRa Williams DaRa Williams brings more than 25 years of dedicated Insight Meditation practice to her teaching and guidance. She completed the Spirit Rock/IMS/IRC Teacher Training and serves on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, as well as an Associate Guiding Teacher at IMS. In addition to her meditation background, DaRa is a trainer and wellness coach with over 25 years...
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Tue, Jul 14