When your glutes are tight from squats and your chakras feel like a tangled set of fairy lights, a good spiritual retreat can be the reset button your whole system craves. Research shows that combining contemplative practice with time in nature lowers cortisol, improves immune function, and boosts mood—perfect fuel for the workouts, workweeks, and weekend shenanigans that make up gay-male life today.1 At Tom of P-Town Health we call this “integrated self-care”: flex the body, nourish the mind, and let the spirit exhale.
Below are five gay-affirming retreats that consistently earn glowing reviews. They range from rustic-communal to plush-boutique, so you can pick the vibe (and price) that matches your spiritual—and financial—fitness.
1. Easton Mountain – Greenwich, NY
| Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Vibe | 175 wooded acres created by gay men, for gay men—think summer-camp energy with adult freedoms. |
Signature Amenities | Clothing-optional pool, hot tub & sauna, hiking trails, yoga studio, on-site spa, three daily farm-style meals. Retreat Guru |
Typical Cost | Multi-night themed gatherings start around US $495–$1,095 depending on housing (camping to private room). Easton Mountain Retreat |
Why Guys Love It | Wide range of workshops—from erotic spirituality to sober recovery—plus an unmistakable “come as you are” ethos. |
2. Gay Spirit Visions @ The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center – Highlands, NC
| Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Vibe | Poly-spiritual men’s gatherings on a 4,200-ft granite mountaintop overlooking the Blue Ridge. |
Signature Amenities | Labyrinth walks, meditation garden, organic farm, communal lodge dining. themountainrlc.org |
| Typical Cost | 4-day Fall Conference: US $315 (bunk) to $375 (double) + $100 program fee—all meals and programming included. gayspiritvisions.org |
Why Guys Love It | Mix of ritual, heart-circle sharing, and Appalachian vistas—great entry-level retreat if you’ve never done one. |
3. Shalom Mountain – Men’s Retreat – Livingston Manor, NY
| Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Vibe | Deep-dive emotional work in the Catskills; limited to ~20 men for an intimate, “leave the armor at the door” feel. |
Signature Amenities | 200-acre sanctuary with waterfalls, sweat lodge, and eco-friendly lodge rooms. |
Typical Cost | US $750 all-inclusive (tuition, housing, meals). Shalom Mountain® |
Why Guys Love It | Facilitators guide participants through the proprietary “Shalom Process” for releasing shame and reigniting purpose; scholarships available. |
4. Breitenbush Hot Springs – Men-Healing-Men & Personal Retreats – Detroit, OR
| Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Vibe | Off-grid geothermal haven in the Cascades; digital detox and clothing-optional soaking pools encouraged. |
Signature Amenities | Eight natural hot-spring pools, river-view yurts, vegetarian buffets, daily yoga, 20 + miles of forest trails. Breitenbush Hot Springs |
| Typical Cost | US $74–$132 per person, per night (lodging + meals + amenities). Multi-night men’s programs land near $300–$500. Confetti Travel Cafe |
Why Guys Love It | Perfect for “bro-spirituality lite”: soak, meditate, hike, repeat—no Wi-Fi, no distractions, plenty of steam (the literal kind). |
5. Kalani Oceanside Retreat – Puna District, Big Island, HI
| Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Vibe | 120-acre jungle campus a short stroll from black-sand beaches; hosts multiple queer-centric programs each year. |
Signature Amenities | Bamboo cottages, permaculture gardens, weekly ecstatic dance, on-site massage studio, daily yoga & meditation classes. kalani.com |
| Typical Cost | High-end men’s meditation packages run US $5,550–$7,770 for 5-7 days (all-inclusive); DIY lodging from ~US $160/night. BookRetreats.com |
Why Guys Love It | Tropical luxury plus a queer-friendly culture that lets you blend surf time with soul time. |
Choosing Your Retreat – Quick Tips
Clarify the goal. Are you craving silence, brotherhood, or a facilitated therapeutic deep-dive?
Check inclusivity. Most retreats above center queer male experience, but ask about trans, non-binary, or sober-living accommodations if needed.
Mind the price ladder. Communal bunkhouses & tent camping keep costs low; private cottages and Hawaiian ocean views…not so much.
Prep the body. Retreat schedules can include sunrise yoga, hiking, or sweat-lodge sessions—train (and hydrate) accordingly.
Stay medically ready. Bring Rx meds, PrEP, or any supplements; if you’re a Tom of P-Town Health patient, hit us up for travel refills before you fly.
Bottom Line
A spiritual timeout doesn’t mean abandoning your fitness grind or sexual wellbeing—it’s the cross-training your nervous system has been waiting for. Whether you pick a budget bunk in North Carolina or splurge on Kalani’s jungle cottages, you’ll come home with calmer cortisol, clearer intentions, and maybe a few new naked-soak buddies. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you. See you on the mat—or in the hot tub!
(Got questions about spiritual prep, travel vaccines, or keeping your meds cold in the tropics? Slide into a portal message or book a tele-visit—it’s what concierge care is for.)
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