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Where the Sky Opens: Ghost Ranch Retreat, Fall 2026

  • Retreats
  • Where the Sky Opens: Ghost Ranch Retreat, Fall 2026
Where the Sky Opens: Ghost Ranch Retreat, Fall 2026

Where the Sky Opens: Ghost Ranch Retreat, Fall 2026

Price range: $595.00 through $1,785.00

Where the Sky Opens: Finding Spaciousness in Story and Spirit

A 5–day, 4–night writing retreat for women and nonbinary people at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico

“The color there is different…the blue-green of the sage and the mountains, the wildflowers in bloom. And it’s not just the color that attracted me either. The world is so wide up there, so big.”  —Georgia O’Keeffe

When: Tuesday, October 27–Saturday, October 31, 2026

  • Registration is limited to 16 participants. This retreat has filled quickly in past years, and we anticipate high interest again. Once full, we will keep a waiting list.

Cost: $1,785 

  • Includes a private room with private bath, 11 meals, and program tuition with 8 facilitated writing circles
  • See full description below for details on payment policies, program schedule, and Ghost Ranch.

All adult (18+) women and nonbinary people are welcome.

Facilitated by: Kim Evans and Allison Distler

SKU: N/A Category:

Join us for a soulful, five-day Women Writing for (a) Change® retreat in the heart of the painted desert. Whether you are new to the page or a longtime writer, this immersive experience invites you into deep spaciousness—creative, emotional, and spiritual.

Our days blend solo writing time, large and small group circles, and plenty of open space for rest and personal exploration. Ghost Ranch sits 65 miles northwest of Santa Fe at an elevation of 5,978 feet, surrounded by vivid cliffs, quiet mesas, and the wide desert sky that inspired O’Keeffe.

The retreat begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, and concludes at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31.

Registered participants will receive a welcome letter with full details. At that time, we’ll gather information about dietary and transportation needs. Vegan/vegetarian and some gluten-free options are available on site. Please note: transportation from the airport to Ghost Ranch is not provided, but we will support participants in coordinating ride-shares.

A virtual pre-retreat orientation circle will be held on Zoom in September (date TBA).

Sample Daily Schedule

  • Breakfast: 7:30–8:30
  • Personal writing time
  • Morning writing circle
  • Lunch: 12:00–1:00
  • Writing activity / small groups
  • Free time for hiking or rest
  • Dinner: 5:30–6:30
  • Evening writing circle

Abiquiu in Late October

Prepare for high-desert conditions with wide temperature shifts—sunny days, cold nights, and very dry air. Bring layers, a warm jacket, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.
Average temperatures: High 55ºF / Low 25ºF.

Accessibility note: Our lodging and circle space are on the upper mesa. The dining hall is a moderately steep walk down the mesa and is also accessible by vehicle.

For more details about Ghost Ranch, visit: www.ghostranch.org

Payment Plan

A $595 initial payment is required to reserve your spot.
$350 of this amount is non-refundable.

You may pay in full ($1,785) at registration or choose the installment plan:

  • First payment: $595 due at registration (includes $350 deposit)
  • Second payment: $595 due by May 1, 2026
  • Third payment: $595 due by August 1, 2026

Please indicate your payment choice at registration.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

If you cancel more than 90 days before the retreat start date (before July 29, 2026), you will receive a full refund minus the $350 non-refundable deposit.

If you cancel within 90 days of the retreat, your refund depends on our ability to fill your spot from the waiting list. If we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a full refund minus the $350 non-refundable deposit. If not, we cannot offer a refund.

This policy mirrors Ghost Ranch’s policy for group reservations. For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to help protect your investment in retreat fees, flights, hotels, and rental cars.

COVID-19 Protocols

As Covid-19 continues to be part of our lives, our sincere desire is to protect and care for each other and our wider community.   Please click here for our current safety protocols.

For current Ghost Ranch policies, please review updates here:
https://www.ghostranch.org/coronavirus-updates