Where to Try Forest Bathing This Fall

Born in Japan in the 1980s as a public health response to stress and overwork, forest bathing is now widely studied for its benefits: lowered cortisol and blood pressure, improved immune response, sharper focus, and renewed mental clarity. It has also been shown to ease anxiety, improve mood, and restore attention drained by today's screen-heavy culture.

Forest therapy guide Wendy Figone, who helped develop one of California's first certified Forest Therapy Trails, stresses that the practice is about more than physical health. "Walking through a forest while deep in rumination offers little relief," she explains. "But paying attention to the shadows, colors, textures, smells, and sounds is where the medicine lies." For Figone, forest bathing is a relational practice—a way of reconnecting with ourselves, with one another, and with the natural world.

And while it can be practiced any time of year, autumn offers the richest sensory immersion: the shifting canopy, crisp air, and scent of fallen leaves all heighten the experience. Here are five places to go forest bathing this fall.

Santa Cruz, CA

On a ridge above Santa Cruz, Chaminade Resort & Spa is set against a backdrop of redwoods and stunning coastal views. Its certified Forest Therapy Trail—one of the first in the Bay Area—was designed with Figone's philosophy at the center: slowing down, noticing, and honoring the land. Guided walks follow a sequence of sensory invitations, while at other times, guests can explore the trail on their own.

Figone often notes that forest bathing restores focus by easing directed attention fatigue—the mental drain caused by constant screen time and overstimulation. At Chaminade, the trail was built with this in mind, encouraging guests to move slowly and pay attention.

Nearby Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Nisene Marks deepen the experience with towering evergreens and quiet trails that invite unhurried walks.

Columbia River Gorge, WA

The Columbia River Gorge takes on its most striking form in autumn: waterfalls veiled in mist, moss-draped cliffs, and alder and maple canopies that flare gold. At Skamania Lodge, guests can join guided walks on property trails or pick up the lodge's forest bathing guidebook, which maps local paths and includes journaling prompts.

Figone emphasizes that forest bathing is less about distance than about what you notice along the way. In the Gorge, that might mean listening to the thrum of waterfalls, catching the scent of wet moss, or pausing to watch light shift through the canopy—moments that redirect attention outward, away from digital demands.

Lake Arrowhead, CA

High in the San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead blends alpine scenery with pine forests and reflective shorelines. Autumn brings crisp air, quieter trails, and bursts of color that contrast with the evergreens.

Paths such as the Will Abell Memorial Trail or the hike to Heart Rock meander through shaded groves and rocky outcrops, while the lake itself becomes a serene spot to pause and watch the leaves drift by. Families, in particular, can use the practice as meaningful, screen-free time together—a way to counter attention drained by constant devices.

Guests staying at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa can extend the experience indoors at the aptly named Spa of the Pines, where treatments like strawberry rhubarb facials draw inspiration from the surrounding forest.

Manchester, VT

The Equinox Preserve, a 914-acre protected landscape managed by the Equinox Preservation Trust, begins just behind The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, offering guests direct access to more than 11 miles of trails. In October, hardwood forests ignite in red and gold, turning a simple walk into a vivid immersion.

At Equinox, seasonal wellness offerings—from yoga to guided hikes to retreats like Yoga in the Mountains—encourage guests to slow down and deepen attention. Nearby Emerald Lake State Park adds shoreline strolls where mirrored colors double the brilliance of Vermont's foliage.

As Figone explains, "It's not just about time outdoors—it's about how we spend it." Paying attention to light, sound, scent, and texture is what makes the practice restorative, a reminder that feels especially relevant in today's screen-heavy culture."

Hudson Valley, NY

With its ridgeline trails, river preserves, and fiery foliage, the Hudson Valley has become an East Coast hub for Shinrin-yoku. As Figone explains, "Forest therapy can shift how people perceive the natural world in profound and often unexpected ways, fostering a deeper sense of connection, reciprocity, and awe." Here, that philosophy comes alive through the rustle of leaves underfoot, the chill of autumn air, and sweeping river views bordered by hillsides in peak foliage.

Set on a 62-acre campus in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Windrose on Hudson makes a natural base for exploring. Its grounds span forests, meadows, and green spaces designed for both quiet reflection and outdoor gatherings, and it also offers easy access to Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park—two of the region’s most scenic networks for unhurried walks.

Explore more destinations across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of more than 50 distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.