Dolly Parton advised:
Don’t be a lady, be a legend.
We say: Be epic. Get rowdy. Live free.
Your epic retreat is HERE.
Saddle up, Girls. Let’s Howl.
Let’s become legends.
CowGirl Wild
Summer Solstice
Women Rising Wild Retreat
with hiking, horses, and wolves
Julian, California
June 16–19, 2026
Registration for this event is now CLOSED. Please message us to be added to the CowGirl Wild WAITLIST or to stay informed about future retreats!
Welcome to CowGirl Wild– a Women Rising Wild, all-inclusive 4-day / 3-night retreat with hiking, horses, and wolves in the rugged and scenic, SoCal town of Julian, located just over an hour east of San Diego, California.
Event Details
Time: Meet in the town of Julian at noon Tuesday for caravan to our retreat site. Our time together concludes Friday at 1pm. Specific details and directions will be provided after registration.
Location: This retreat takes place in Julian, California. The town of Julian and surrounding parks encompass thousands of acres of protected natural areas with hundreds of miles of trail to explore. Julian boasts delightful eateries, charming shops full of local art, and live music on weekends. The closest major airports servicing the area are San Diego, John Wayne, and Ontario International Airports. Learn more and plan an extended stay at VisitJulian.com
CowGirl Wild Retreat Activities
Cowgirl is an attitude, really, a pioneer spirit, a special American brand of courage. –Dale Evans
Experience your courageous spirit, your wild heart, and Freedom in the saddle with women among wolves.
♥ 4 full days of nature connection and wild sisterhood
♥ Choose a private bedroom in our mountain ranch estate, sleep under the stars on the deck, or tent camp in the forest for more adventure
♥ Tour California Wolf Center to learn about wolf conservation, ecology, and behavior. Participate in a staff-led enrichment encounter with wolf ambassadors. Volunteer in an ecostewardship project on the sanctuary grounds.
♥ Visit Villa Chardonnay Ranch for horses. Interact with the animals, volunteer, and discover their rescue mission.
♥ Therapeutic horseback riding and animal playshops to inspire compassionate and meaningful connection with the more-than-human world
♥ Hiking, wildlife viewing, forest bathing
♥ Earth dance, yoga, and moving meditation
♥ Singing, drumming, restorative sound bath
♥ Campfire and s’mores
♥ Meditative archery
♥ Creative arts for reflection and integration of our experiences together
♥ Afternoon Tea Service
♥ Friday farewell brunch
Investment for CowGirl Wild
♥ Private Room Registration: $1600 per adult
♥ Double Occupancy Registration: $1100 per adult
♥ Prefer to tent camp or sleep under the stars? $1080 per adult
What’s Included
♥ 8 organic meals prepared as a village. These include: dinner on Tuesday; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Wednesday and Thursday; and brunch on Friday. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
♥ 3 nights camping or accommodations in the lodge on a private ranch
♥ Private Telegram Group for connection, planning, and sharing reflections and photos
♥ Membership donation to California Wolf Center
♥ Horseback riding
♥ Expert facilitation and planning for all activities
What’s Not Included
♥ Optional massage, private healing sound bath, or spa treatment. Message for details.
♥ Travel Insurance is recommended for this event. Please review our cancellation policy before registering for this event. Though cancellations are rare they can happen. The deposit and registration fees paid for this event are non-refundable. Travel Insurance can cover non-refundable travel costs in case you or we cancel or postpone this event due to force majeure. Be sure to select the level of protection that is appropriate for your personal situation. Outward Travel can assist you in obtaining travel insurance for this event or you may purchase it elsewhere.
♥ Personal Travel Advisor: We have partnered with Outward Travel to help you coordinate all of your travel needs for our events. Jeoff at Outward Travel said “We are here to ensure that your logistics are well supported so you don’t have to worry about the details and you can focus on having a meaningful experience before, during, and after your retreat.” Please reach out to them for more information at 720-828-7665 or go@outward.travel
Personal Supplies and Equipment
♥ View packing list here soon
Inclusivity Statement
♥ This event is for anyone who seeks to nourish their feminine qualities and deepen into embodiment of the wild spirit residing within us all. This experience is meant to be uplifting, friendly, playful, and most importantly safe for everyone. By attending this event, participants agree to inclusivity and co-creating a welcoming space for all people, plants, animals, and the earth. We agree to respect ourselves and each other at our intersections in all dimensions including mind, body, emotion, energy, and spirit. Read more…
♥ Individuals with mobility limitations are invited to contact us directly to discuss accessibility at our event locations.
♥ Wild Heart Revival events are substance free. Use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and mind altering substances is prohibited. We welcome you just as you are, unaltered, and in your true nature while on retreat with us.
Meet our Founder and Visionary for Women Rising Wild
Melissa (Esha) Lynn Reed is the visionary for Women Rising Wild and founder of Wild Heart Revival, LLC. She is a fourth generation healer and transformational wilderness guide. Melissa holds a BA and MS in ecology and she is presently pursuing her doctorate in psychology with a focus in consciousness and spiritual studies. Melissa has over 30 years experience as a wildlife biologist specializing in studies of rare and endangered mammals. Melissa is a seasoned tracker, master medicine weaver, yogini, and mystic with deep and intimate ties with nature. She has led more than 200 nature-based workshops and guided more than 90 multi-day science and adventure retreats for more than 2000 adults and children. Summer 2025 Melissa hosted her 25th transformational Women Rising Wild wilderness retreat.
Have Questions about Cowgirl Wild in California? Every registration begins with an email and discovery call. Schedule a conversation with our organizers.
If a cowgirl is smiling, she’s thinking of doing something crazy; if she’s laughing, she’s already done it. –Cassidy Magazine
Let’s get crazy, smiling, and laughing. Let’s create memories that fill our hearts, rewild our spirits, and nourish the CowGirl soul in us all.
Ready To Join Our California Pack?
Registration Begins Here:
Review our Registration Agreement. Then Register and submit Your $500 Deposit and Pay Any Remaining Balance four weeks prior to your Women Rising Wild event via personal check, Cash App, PayPal, or Venmo
Registration for this event is now CLOSED.
Message us to be added to the
CowGirl Wild WAITLIST.
See press for CowGirl Wild in The
Mercury News!
Don’t have a subscription? Read The
Mercury News article with more photos here:
Cowgirl Wellness Retreats
Howls from the Field: Testimonials about Women Rising Wild
Women Rising Wild 