Rachel Barkman + Stay Wilder Present
November 5-8, 2026 | Sunshine Coast, BC
For the forest wanderers, the mushroom lovers, the birdwatchers, the ones who stop to marvel at moss.
If you feel most alive with a camera in hand and the scent of cedar in the air…
If you crave quiet mornings, golden light, owl sightings, and long walks in the trees…
If you want to learn, rest, create, and reconnect with the land in a deeply meaningful way...
This retreat is for you.
Led by nature photographer, Rachel Barkman, Back to the Wild is a 3-night creative immersion at Stay Wilder Eco-Glamping Resort, tucked deep in the coastal rainforest of the Sunshine Coast, BC. Check out this video from last year’s Into the Wild Retreat with Rachel. Each retreat brings unique people with their own unique magic.
You’ll spend your days:
Meet your leader
Rachel Barkman is professional photographer, owl enthusiast, and mushroom gatherer. Her forest-filled feed of stunningly evocative photography has amassed a community of over 100k raving fans.
What makes her different from any other nature photographer though, is her endless curiosity for learning that has sparked her “obsession” and rich knowledge collection for all things wild.
Fun facts that will make you love her more:
Meet your special guest, naturalist
Charlotte Gruneau is a wildlife photographer, multidisciplinary artist, writer, and naturalist based in the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia.
What sets her apart is her devotion to wildlife conservation through art. She runs her own company, Owling Wolf, with a special focus on wildlife education and mental health advocacy.
Fun facts that will make you love her more:
Meet your HOST
Stay Wilder is a regenerative eco-resort on the Sunshine Coast of BC, nestled in 160 acres of rainforest, offering a unique, off-grid stay that blends luxury, nature with regenerative hospitality.
At its core, Stay Wilder is about honouring the essence of this place, and creating experiences that leave both people and the land better.
Fun facts that will make you love it more:
Oh… and there’s a sauna in the trees & 160 acres of rainforest.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Photos from the 2025 Retreat:*
Photo credit: Most images on this page were taken by Rachel Barkman at the 2025 Into the Wild Retreat.
November 5 – 8, 2026
Arrive Thursday afternoon.
Depart Sunday morning.
Single occupancy: $2499 + tax
Double occupancy: $1999/person + tax
Only five domes are available for single (you!) or double occupancy (you + a loved one).
Ten trees planted per visitor. Seven local women-owned businesses supported. 7200L of water saved. Lots of sunshine power.
Grab your Spot:
Instructions below
This retreat is for nature lovers, nature nerds, and creative spirits. If you love photography, slow living, meaningful connection, or being surrounded by forest magic—you’ll feel right at home. No need to be a pro photographer—just bring your creativity, spirit, and excitement to learn!
Not at all. Rachel is a generous and gifted teacher who meets you where you’re at. (She started her career as an elementary school teacher!) Whether you’re just learning how to use your camera or you’ve been shooting for years, you’ll leave feeling inspired, more skilled, and more connected to nature and your creative eye.
Nope! Bring whatever you have—DSLR, mirrorless, smartphone, film, binoculars, even a sketchbook. The point isn’t gear, it’s connection. Rachel will help you make the most of whatever you’re working with.
This is a small, intimate gathering—just six domes, and therefore 12 guests max. We want to keep it spacious, restful, and rooted in connection.
Our domes are cozy, stylish, and thoughtfully designed for a deeply restful, inspiring stay. Each one has an organic queen mattress and bedding, a locally-made kimono, locally-crafted reclaimed wood furniture, a private hot shower, a private toilet, Nespresso machine, kettle, and a power station for charging all of your devices.
You can stay in your dome by yourself (single occupancy), or bring a friend, partner or loved one (double occupancy).
No. To encourage disconnection from devices and reconnection to the world, there is no wifi at Stay Wilder, though there is reception.
Absolutely. Lots of guests come alone—and many leave with new friendships. This is a very welcoming, non-intimidating space. If you’re craving solo reconnection, this is a perfect way to do it safely and beautifully.
We’re located on BC’s Sunshine Coast, roughly 2.5 hours from Vancouver, and 15 mins from the nearest town, Sechelt, BC.
So good. Think seasonal, nourishing meals made with love by local vendors Cedar & Crumb. We prioritize local ingredients and happily accommodate dietary needs (just let us know in advance).
Then we’ll wander with umbrellas and shoot moody forest magic. Everything is designed to be beautiful and functional, rain or shine—and we’ll have cozy indoor options for gathering if needed.
Due to the intimate nature of this retreat and limited spots, all bookings are non-refundable. However, if you can’t make it, you’re welcome to transfer your spot to someone else. (Please reach out if that happens—we’ll do our best to help.)
We’d love to answer them. Just hit reply or email us at stay@staywilder.eco and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
