Take a Walk on the Calmer Side in These Forests

Reconnect with nature while participating in the wellness practice of forest bathing

a man standing surronded by moss covered trees in a forest

Forest bathing involves immersing oneself in a forest atmosphere through mindful, sensory engagement with nature. Spend time in the moss-draped Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, where Sitka spruce and western hemlock create towering canopies.

Getty Images

Kimberly Ferrante,

AARP

Published January 29, 2026

In an era when screens dominate our attention and stress levels continue to climb, a growing number of Americans are discovering a wellness practice that requires nothing more than a walk in the woods. Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan in the 1980s. It involves immersing oneself in a forest atmosphere through mindful, sensory engagement with nature. Unlike hiking a trail or jogging to get in some cardio, forest bathing isn’t about reaching a destination or burning calories — it’s about slowing down, breathing deeply and allowing the forest to work its therapeutic magic on both body and mind.

The practice itself is beautifully simple: “Forest bathing involves physical immersion in a forest or nature setting. Each sense is brought to awareness, noticing all that is identified. What do you smell, hear, taste, see, feel on your skin?” asks Mandy Mitchell, a certified therapist and owner of Perspectives Counseling in Conway, South Carolina. “The act of centering and slowing will have an immediate impact and begin diffusing physiological arousal. The nervous system will calm.”

Practitioners recommend leaving devices behind, moving slowly through the forest and engaging all five senses. Sessions typically last two to three hours and cover minimal distance, making the practice accessible regardless of fitness level. “For a typical forest therapy walk, we cover very little ground, anywhere from 250 yards to a quarter mile,” says Jackie Kuang, business director at the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, a leader in the training of forest therapy guides and promoters of the practice. “This experience is more about ‘being here’ rather than ‘getting there’ so it’s perfect for all age groups who need to learn to slow down and to be present.”

Who can guide you?

Certified forest therapy guides are trained to work with diverse age groups and physical abilities. These organizations can connect you with guides specializing in older adults:

If you fall in love with the practice of shinrin-yoku, you can become certified through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy as an expert guide and lead your own forest bathing groups.

What to expect from a forest bathing session

Slow, gentle walking; often less than a mile
Frequent pauses for rest and observation
Sensory opportunities (listening, touching, breathing)
Quiet reflection

Why forest bathing is worth your time

The health benefits are compelling, particularly for older adults. Spending time in forests can lower blood pressure, promoting cardiovascular health for those with hypertension; reduce stress hormones like cortisol; boost immune function; and improve mood, according to studies published in Frontiers in Public Health and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

For adults 50-plus managing chronic conditions, seeking stress relief or simply looking to enhance their overall wellness, forest bathing offers a gentle yet powerful intervention. In addition, a 2025 study in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening focusing on older populations has found that forest therapy significantly improved attention, information-processing speed, working memory and creative thinking.

Getting started

For people new to forest bathing, the practice requires no special equipment or fitness level. The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy maintains a guide directory to help locate certified practitioners, while organizations like Forest Bathing International and Treeming.org offer additional resources. According to the study in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, frequency matters. More frequent forest bathing visits were associated with greater improvements in attentional control and working memory, suggesting that regular practice yields the greatest benefits.

Here are eight locations where you can experience forest bathing.

1. Olympic National Park, Washington

The Pacific Northwest’s Olympic National Park offers some of North America’s most spectacular old-growth forests, including the moss-draped Hoh Rain Forest, where towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock create cathedral-like canopies. The park’s temperate rainforests receive up to 170 inches of rain annually, creating an extraordinarily lush environment ideal for sensory immersion. For those who enjoy a leisurely walk, accessible trails like the Hall of Mosses offer relatively flat, well-maintained paths perfect for slow, contemplative walking. Beyond forest bathing, visitors can explore Hurricane Ridge for mountain vistas or soak in the nearby Sol Duc Hot Springs, making this destination particularly appealing for people seeking multi-day wellness retreats.

Hocking Hills State Park has distinctive rock formations, waterfalls and hemlock-filled gorges.

Alamy

2. Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Located in southeastern Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park showcases the Midwest’s natural beauty with its distinctive rock formations, waterfalls and hemlock-shaded gorges. The park’s Ash Cave area features paved and semi-paved trails that accommodate varying mobility levels. The region has embraced wellness tourism, with numerous lodges and cabins catering to visitors seeking extended nature-based retreats. Here you can combine forest bathing with photography, birding or visits to nearby wineries and artisan studios, also ideal for calming your mind.

3. Superior National Forest, Minnesota

Spanning more than 3 million acres in northeastern Minnesota, Superior National Forest encompasses the legendary Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The boreal forest ecosystem here — dominated by pine, spruce and fir — offers a distinctly northern forest bathing experience. The area provides numerous accessible trails, including the Kawishiwi Falls Trail and sections of the Superior Hiking Trail with benches and rest areas. There are also scenic byways, wildlife-viewing opportunities and historic sites that can complement your forest bathing experiences.

4. Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, Michigan

This 384-acre Michigan Nature Association sanctuary near Dowagiac protects one of the finest remaining examples of southern Michigan’s beech-maple forest. The sanctuary’s intimate scale makes it ideal for focused forest bathing practice without the crowds of larger parks. “I choose trails that are level and that have benches to sit on if needed,” says Kuang, describing her approach to guiding forest bathers. Dowagiac Woods fits this model perfectly with its gentle terrain and contemplative atmosphere. The sanctuary’s proximity to southwestern Michigan’s wine country and the Amish community in Shipshewana, Indiana, offers additional cultural attractions for extended visits.

a person facing a forest, waterfall and bridge

While Letchworth State Park is famous for its waterfalls, its woodland trails offer quieter settings for forest bathing away from the crowds at overlooks.

Shutterstock

5. Letchworth State Park, New York

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park along the Genesee River combines dramatic gorge scenery with extensive hardwood forests. While the park is famous for its waterfalls, its woodland trails offer quieter settings for forest bathing away from the crowds at overlooks. The park features paved paths and the Glen Iris Inn. Beyond forest bathing, visitors can enjoy hot air balloon rides, guided nature programs and the park’s museum and historic sites.

Congaree National Park’s elevated walkway offers visitors an accessible way to immerse themselves in this swamp-like forest ecosystem.

Alamy

6. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Congaree National Park protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. The park’s Boardwalk Loop Trail is a 2.6-mile elevated walkway that provides an accessible way for hikers to immerse themselves in this unique swamp-like forest ecosystem without navigating difficult terrain (and without getting too close to alligators). Forest bathing, or just getting outdoors, is a beneficial addition to therapy, particularly with couples. Mitchell, who practices about two hours east of Congaree, uses the mindfulness practiced when outdoors to help get couples out of fight or flight. It calms the sympathetic nervous system and teaches them to self-regulate their emotions, Mitchell says.

The park’s proximity to Columbia, the state capital, located in the center of the state, makes it easily accessible for regional travelers. Visitors can participate in canoeing expeditions or visit the Historic Harriet Barber House, a living history museum.

White River National Forest encompasses more than 2 million acres of Rocky Mountain terrain in Colorado, including the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen.

Getty Images

7. White River National Forest, Colorado

As the nation’s most-visited national forest, White River National Forest encompasses more than 2 million acres of Rocky Mountain terrain in Colorado. While known for ski resorts such as Aspen Snowmass and Vail, the forest offers numerous accessible trails through aspen groves and conifer forests at elevations suitable for forest bathing. Hsuan Hsieh, a doctoral student at Clemson University and certified forest therapy guide, emphasizes the importance of environmental considerations. “Older adults are often more sensitive to temperature changes, so seasonal and weather-related adjustments are essential,” says Hsieh. White River’s high-elevation forests provide naturally cooler summer conditions.

Group campgrounds and guided tours by local outfitters facilitate social connections, which AARP research has found to be important to the happiness of older adults. Beyond forest bathing, the area offers historic mining towns.

8. Cibola National Forest, New Mexico

Cibola National Forest includes grasslands in the Texas Panhandle, northeastern New Mexico and western Oklahoma, and spans many distinct mountain ranges across central New Mexico, offering unique high-desert forest ecosystems dominated by piñon and juniper at low elevations, spruce, fir and aspen at higher elevations, and ponderosa pine and juniper in between. The Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque provide easily accessible forest bathing opportunities for the region’s substantial retiree population. “When working with adults age 50 or older, I intentionally adapt both program design and guiding style,” Hsieh says. “Trail selection is done carefully. We avoid steep slopes when possible, offer trekking poles as an option and maintain a slower walking pace.” Cibola’s diverse terrain allows guides to select appropriate locations. The forest also offers archaeological sites and nearby pueblos.

Whether exploring the rainforests of Olympic, the gorges of Hocking Hills or the high-desert forests of New Mexico, a path to wellness may be as simple as a slow, purposeful walk among the trees.

%{postComment}%

Kimberly Ferrante is an award-winning journalist based in Plano, Texas. Her work has appeared in Road Trip, Island Soul, Explore the Northshore and The Lens.

Unlock Access to AARP Members Edition

Join AARP to Continue

Already a Member? Login

Most Popular

Benefits Recommended For You

See All