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Recharge with a mindfulness walk in the woods.
As the leaves begin to change colors and the nights stretch longer, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park’s Equinox Walk offers a peaceful chance to reconnect with nature through mindfulness. Equinoxes, when day and night are the same length, act as powerful equilibria between light and dark, activity and rest. “Through guided invitations, we will reflect on the interplay of light and darkness and explore how these transitions are in our lives,” says Washington County parks coordinator Sara Armstrong.
The walk follows a traditional Japanese practice called shinrin yoku or forest bathing. “[It] involves immersing oneself in a natural forest environment with the intention of slowing down, being present and mindfully engaging the senses,” she says, noting that the practice boosts physical and mental health through mindfulness.
Participants can soak in sights, smells, sounds and textures along a lakeside and forested trail. “[It provides] the opportunity to slow down and connect deeply with the natural rhythm of balance that this time of year offers,” Armstrong says.
Washington County also offers a Full Moon Forest Bathing program on October 6 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. This walk features immersive, guided reflections inspired by the moon.
Armstrong emphasizes that both experiences involve more than just movement. “It’s not about hiking or exercise,” she says. “It’s about quiet observation, breathing deeply and forming a gentle, reciprocal relationship with the natural world.”
The Fall Equinox Walk is from 4–6 p.m. September 21, and is led by guide David Motzenbecker. It is $45/person. Register for the Fall Equinox Walk and other activities online at washingtoncountymn.gov.
