32 Places to Retreat in Washington

I love the Evergreen State and am impressed by the wide variety of places connected to land and/or water for a nonprofit to retreat. Here’s a few suggestions for some places that look fantastic:

Seattle Area

Cascade People’s Center (Seattle): Located next to a community garden and park in a rapidly developing South Lake Union, this location “has a large community room fashioned with laminated wood floors that compliment its warm earth tone painted walls. The space welcomes natural light from three built-in skylights and large windows from the south and west sides of the building.

Center for Urban Horticulture (Seattle): “…includes a 16-acre landscaped site with buildings and gardens, and the 74-acre Union Bay Natural Area, which provides publicly accessible wildlife habitat…”

Center for Wooden Boats (Seattle): “Hosting an event at CWB means your guests will enjoy panoramic views of Seattle’s skyline to the South and waterfront views of South Lake Union to the North.”

Camp Long (Seattle): “Located in West Seattle, this 68 acre park offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature, hike in the forest, camp overnight in rustic cabins, rock climb, and learn about natural history. Rental facilities include a lodge with one meeting room, kitchen space, 10 cabins, two covered picnic areas, group fire ring, and climbing rock.”

Daybreak Star Cultural Center (Seattle): “A land base and community center for Native Americans in the Seattle area, and United Indians’ headquarters. It is located on 20 acres in Discovery Park in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood…located high atop a bluff overlooking the Puget Sound…”

Waterfront Activities Center (Seattle): “…nestled on the shores of Union Bay, the gateway to Lake Washington…within a short walk of the UW light rail station…experience a paddle around the Union Bay Natural Area admiring the wildlife such as bald eagles, osprey, and various types waterfowl.”

wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House (Seattle): “…a longhouse-style facility on the UW Seattle campus. It provides a multi-service learning and gathering space for American Indian and Alaska Native students, faculty and staff, as well as others from various cultures and communities to come together in a welcoming environment to share knowledge.”

North of Seattle

Whidbey Institute (Whidbey Island): “A home for transformational learning” with a mission “to nurture the conditions for transformational learning, and our purpose is to be a Place for those called by the responsibility and transformative potential of these times.” See this blog post I wrote celebrating their 50th year anniversary.

Brightwater Center (Woodinville): “The sustainably-built Brightwater Center features multi-purpose meeting areas for conferences, weddings and other special events. The Center is surrounded by a 70+ acre natural area with ponds, wetlands and walking trails and has a large meeting space that accommodates up to 260 people, which can be broken down into three smaller rooms.”

Doe Bay Retreat (Orcas Island): “Our beautiful waterfront escape offers plenty of space to relax, get grounded, play and make memories. We have a variety of accommodations to suit the needs and desires of your group, including a large retreat house, a variety of cabins and yurts, and numerous camping sites to make your event more affordable for participants.”

The Lodge at St. Edwards Park (Kenmore): “…a beautifully restored landmark building peacefully tucked away in a lush 326-acre forest, all set just a short walk from the shores of spectacular Lake Washington.”

Fort Worden (Port Townsend): “Fort Worden State Park and its epic natural setting of Port Townsend—dubbed “the Paris of the Pacific Northwest” by Sunset Magazine—is the kind of destination that stays with one for a lifetime. Originally designed as a military base to protect Puget Sound, Fort Worden has evolved into an iconic and cherished state park…”

IslandWood (Bainbridge Island): “Flexible, light-filled meeting spaces feature all the essential amenities for a successful off-site meeting or conference with 360 degree views of the meadows and forest outside. Beyond the boardroom, the five natural ecosystems that make up IslandWood’s wooded campus offer ample opportunities for deeper focus and teamwork.”

North Cascades Institute (Sedro-Woolley): “Learning Center classrooms, labs and libraries offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and provide excellent conference space and meeting accommodations. Throughout the interior and outside spaces of our LEED Silver Certified venue, the natural world and striking landscape of the North Cascades are close and accessible.”

NatureBridge (Olympic National Park): “Nestled among the ancient forests, glacial lakes and towering mountains of Olympic National Park, our campus provides a beautiful natural setting for your retreat or meeting.”

Camp Orkila (Orcas Island): “…the perfect respite for you to experience the wonder of the outdoors through traditional camp activities, quaint cabin lodging, healthy and delicious meals, and quality outdoor time together with family and friends. Not to mention the picturesque views of northwest waterways and majestic evergreen forests!”

Sleeping Lady (Leavenworth): “…a rustic sanctuary amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of Icicle Creek and the Cascade Mountains.

Rainbow Lodge (North Bend): “Nestled on 40 acres in the tall timber at the base of towering Mount Si, Rainbow Lodge Retreat Center is unique.”

Washington State Parks (See locations below): “State Park’s retreat centers were estabshed as youth camps in the 1950s for student outdoor educational activities. We now offer these lodges with clustered cabins and other rustic facilities to many groups looking for overnight accommodations with their outdoor recreational activities.”

Cama Beach (Camano Island): “sweeping views of Saratoga Passage, Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountains.”
Camp Moran (near Mount Constitution on Oracas Island): “Provides opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, fishing and swimming.”
Cornet Bay (Deception Pass): “Provides opportunities for fishing, hiking and kayaking.”
Fort Flagler (Marrowstone Island): “Offers three dormitory-type camps for groups of all sizes. Visitors will have opportunities for clamming, hiking and exploring the fort’s barracks.”
Ramblewood (Olympic Peninsula, Sequim Bay): “Features fishing, beach combing, and hiking.”

South of Seattle

Camp Colman (Key Peninsula): “the property includes over a half mile of Puget Sound beachfront with views of the Cascade Mountains, an enclosed six acre lagoon, an expansive lodge, and quaint cabins nestled among the evergreen trees.”

Camp Casey (Whidbey Island): “This unique property features expansive playfields, a mile-long beach, and historic U.S. Army lodging facilities, making it an ideal setting for adventure, exploration, and connection.”

Sacred Waters Center for Restoration and Retreat (Union, see two locations below): “The existing ministries of MultiCultural Ministries, Creation Care, Harmony Hill and St. Andrew’s House are coming together on the beautiful Hood Canal to develop this new collaborative mission…”

Harmony Hill: “Harmony Hill began with Gretchen Schodde’s dream to create a retreat center where people could experience renewal and deep well-being.”
St. Andrew’s House Retreat and Conference Center: “Traditional log cabin style walls, elegant hardwood floors, a massive stone hearth, two oak staircases leading to an overhanging balcony and two bedroom wings combine to make for a retreat experience like no other.”

Brooks Memorial (just north of Goldendale): Nestled in a forested mountain setting on Satus Pass, this location offers trails and fishing in the Upper Satus River.:
Camp Delany (Sun Lake-Dry Falls State Park): “A desert oasis in the Grand Coulee area of the Columbia Basin, 7 miles southwest of the Grand Coulee Dam and features hiking and biking trails.”
Camp Wooten (on the Tucannon River in the Blue Mountains) “This facility offers hiking, canoeing and swimming in an indoor pool.
Millersylvania (just south of Olympia): “The spacious facility situated on the shores of Deep Lake, provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and hiking.”
Puffer Butte (in the Blue Mountains): “This remote location set at an elevation of 4,500 feet offers summer and winter recreational opportunities, including hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.”

Any suggestions for places I missed? Please contact me with your suggestions.

I’m a part of Pacific Pattern, which serves nonprofits an networks active in bioregions along the Pacific Coast, which includes the Evergreen State. If your origination or collaborative needs a facilitator and/or strategy consultant, please contact us. If you’re looking for more places to retreat along the Pacific Coast, check out this list.