Gates of Lodore Women’s River Retreat
Unplug. Reset. Reclaim your WILD.
Ready to leave old narratives behind and step into what’s real, alive, and wildly possible? Join us.
August 29 – September 2, 2026
Calling in Wild Daughters
- Have caretaking, producing, managing, and holding it all together left too little space for your own desires?
- Do you feel the stirrings of a Self you’ve sidelined? Someone bolder, less accommodating, craving something different?
Join Sylke Laine and Angie Stegall at the Gates of Lodore – a natural threshold with towering walls where the river narrows, the noise falls away, and the truth gets easier to hear.
Danielle Dulsky writes of the wild daughter: “She senses an ancient impulse to become less civilized. She may have renamed what freedom means…”
This trip is an invitation to follow that impulse. To let the expectations, roles, and old midlife narratives loosen their grip so a freer, truer self can step forward.
What if your next chapter isn’t
waiting for permission?
Just space.
And a river to carry you into it.
This river retreat is for women over 40 who…
- trust in the wisdom of Nature over that of a broken culture
- crave connection & belonging
- like to laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time
- don’t rely on alcohol or other substances for any of the above (this will be a sober trip)
Praise for past year’s wildHER Adventures
The time away from civilization gave my mind, body & spirit the space to breathe, to open, to relax.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Cindy Ingram
It was life-changing. I reconnected with my joy and remembered that I am a confident person.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Jackie Radford
An epic adventure! There were challenges, but overcoming them and learning about myself was priceless.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Jenna Jourdet
Stepping through the Gate
: a movable barrier
: an opening permitting passage through an enclosure. [dictionary.com]
If I didn’t care what people thought, I would__________
If I had the nerve, I would__________
If I had the freedom, I would____________
These are the kinds of questions we will ponder while bouncing through rapids, communing with nature, and sharing around the campfire.
It is time for women to challenge the systems that keep asking the wrong questions. wildHER is a quest to find your answers.
Join us.
You’ll return home feeling rejuvenated, fully alive, and deeply connected to your inner wisdom. Your roots around who you are and what you desire will be stretched and strengthened like never before.
Sit long in Nature, and after a while, she’ll sit within you. Let her take away your name, your history, and everything on your to-do list. Let her mess up your hair, dirty your feet, and awaken you to your inner poetry.
– Ask Markul
What’s Included
- Pre-trip Zoom calls for connection and orientation
- 5 days/4 nights on the Green River
- Professional river guides, boats, camping- and river gear provided by Dinosaur River Expeditions (bring your own if you prefer)
- All meals on the river, starting from the first day’s delicious lunch to the last day’s breakfast (we’ll ask about any allergies and food preferences), including hot and cold beverages
- Sessions to include movement, mindfulness, coaching, and nature journaling guided by Angie & Sylke
- All permitting and access fees
Gates of Lodore Women’s Retreat
$3,300 p.P.
Space on this adventure is limited to 10 participants. As of today, 3 spots remain open. We will close registration once the trip is full. Please register early.
Your Hosts
Angie and Sylke are certified guides with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) and certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coaches. Both have extensive experience taking groups and individual clients out for nature-based coaching experiences and women’s retreats.
wildHER is their third River Retreat for midlife women looking to reconnect to the wild inside.
Angie Stegall is a born Wayfinder, helping clients explore their wild insides while finding their way back to who they are at their core.
She’s written five books, including “Notes from Nature: Tune Into Your Inner Voice by Letting Nature Take the Lead.”
Her river experience includes the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, all 149 miles of the French Broad, and kayaking 340 miles across Florida.
Sylke Laine teaches her clients how to emerge from soul-crushing overwhelm with clarity, confidence, and calm.
For over 25 years, she has been spending as much time as she can on the river (including guided and private trips on the Main and Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, the Rogue, the San Juan, and her local favorites, the Flathead, Clark Fork, and Blackfoot Rivers).
A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.
– Maya Angelou
FAQ
I have never rafted a river. Can I come?
No problem. Dinosaur River Expeditions are experts in their field and have been taking people through the Gates of Lodore for decades. They’ll handle all the hard work, including rigging the rafts, setting up the kitchen and bathroom, and preparing meals.
How “in shape” do I need to be?
Any river trip will ask you to navigate uneven terrain. You will be fine if you engage in regular, moderate physical activity. Basic swimming skills aren’t required, but will certainly help you feel more comfortable. If you have any health concerns, please reach out.
Do I need to buy any gear?
Dinosaur River Expeditions will provide all camping and river-specific gear (drybags etc.). We will provide a detailed packing list, and you’ll find things like rain gear, sun hat, and river shoes on it.
If you want or require any specific beverages or snacks, you can bring those, too.
Are river guide gratuities included in the cost?
River guide gratuities are not included in the program cost. We strongly suggest giving your river guides some love at the end of the trip.
What’s your refund policy?
All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Trip insurance is highly recommended.
How about getting there and pre-/post-river lodging?
You’ll be responsible for your own transportation to Vernal, UT, and booking your pre- and post-trip accommodations. We will be available to help you figure out logistics.
— No More Questions?
Claim your
wildHER Space
The wildHER Gates of Lodore Adventure will be outfitted by Dinosaur River Expeditions. All river photos on this page by Dinosaur River Expeditions. Lodore Canyon is the homeland of the Eastern Shoshone people and the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people.