Hi!
I’m Dorothy Broomall, owner and facilitator at Wandering Fern Retreats.
Our retreats feature nourishing food, gentle itineraries, thoughtful reflection, creative activities, and cozy cabin vibes.
Come steep yourself in the good energy of beautiful places and let us take care of you. You’ll leave rested, connected, and inspired.
See you soon!
Dorothy
Featured Retreats
July 6th - July 9th, 2026
Grand Marais, MN
8 spots
Join me and my dad, Al Trippel (geologist and jeweler) for a North-Shore beach retreat this summer! We’ll learn about the geological processes that shaped this beautiful place, and learn how to identify agates, amethyst, thompsonite, banded iron, and other rocks on the beach. You’ll try your hand at lapidary work (cutting and polishing stones) and have lots of time to knit / stitch / weave / spin / on the beach! Our gentle itinerary includes morning fiber circles, river hikes, beach walks, and nourishing meals all with a geologist on hand to answer all your questions!
Retreat Overview
This camp-style retreat features a fun itinerary of activities, simple accommodations at the Outpost Motel, and home cooked meals on the beach!
Retreat includes:
Beach knitting / fiber circles!
Intro to Geology of the North Shore
River hike and rock identification
Beach walk and rock identification
3 nights at The Outpost Motel
3 simple breakfasts on the beach
2 packed lunches
3 home-cooked dinners
Evening gatherings and reflection
Retreat does not included:
Transportation to and from daytime activities.
Alcohol - you are welcome to byo beverages!
Accommodations
The Outpost Motel is a classic “Up North” motel: each simple, private room has all the basics. It’s located 8 miles past Grand Marais, Minnesota on Highway 61, overlooking Lake Superior in a beautiful location with access to the beach.
Single occupancy means you’ll have the room all to your self. Double occupancy means you’ll share the room and the bed - Choose this option if you attend the retreat with your spouse or bestie! To be roomed together, you will both need to register and list each other in the comment section.
Early Bird Rates
Queen Room - Single Occupancy - $1280 (4 spots)
Queen Room - Double Occupancy - $1080 (4 spots)
All participants must be able to:
Walk 2-3 miles
Carry a 5-10 lb daypack
Maintain balance and stability on uneven terrain
You know your own body and we encourage you to assess your current abilities before registering. We are happy to talk with you about questions or concerns before you register or at any point during the retreat. All activities are optional; you may participate in all or some. For example, you might opt for a cozy afternoon on the motel beach or reading in your room rather than a river hike. We reserve the right to make the final judgment call on your participation if at any point we are concerned about your ability to participant safely in any of the activities and no refunds will be given.
Required Gear
This retreat takes place outdoors and happens rain or shine! We will send a full packing list before the retreat to help you dress comfortably despite weather and bugs that are inevitably part of summer Up North. For example, you’ll will want to bring:
Hiking boots with ankle support
Tall waterproof boots (xtratuff, muck boots)
Bug hat
Long pants
Long-sleeved loose-fitting button up shirt
Water bottle
Rain coat and pants
Day pack
Sunscreen
Bugspray
Day Pass Option
Join us for daytime activities 9am-7pm on Tuesday and Wednesday including Fiber Circles, Lunch, River Hike, Beach Walks, and Dinner. This option does not include accommodations or breakfast. $580. 4 day passes available. You can snag one of the 4 day passes available HERE!
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend, and we are able to fill your spot, we may be able to issue a partial refund. Please share the love, not the bugs. If you are sick upon arrival, you will be asked to leave to protect other guests and no refund will be given.
Perks!
Participants get first dibs next year if we host this retreat again! Wandering Fern’s retreats tend to fill up fast (often before they are advertised) so this is a great opportunity to get into a new one!
Early Bird Discount
Enjoy an early bird discount until May 15th (automatically applied at checkout). We can’t wait to share this special experience with you!
Friday, 11/6 (4pm) - Monday, 11/9 2026 (10am)
15 spots
Join me for a long weekend of knitting, saunas, and hearty home cooked food in Lutsen, MN.
November on the North Shore means tawny cattails, striking skies, and wild wave. It's liminal time when the pace of life slows down and we settle back into ourselves.
At this kitting retreat, Dorothy Broomall will hold the same warm, welcoming space you’ve come to know over the years at Dappled Fern…it’s just you don’t have to go home!
We'll stay at Ski Hill Cabins and Saunas, in Lutsen, MN. These Nordic modern cabins offer spacious living rooms where we cozy up to knit, full kitchens, two full bathrooms, fire circle, and private saunas. Accommodations include main-floor single room (California king bed), main floor bunk room (queen above queen bunk beds), and shared loft (two full beds in loft accessible by ships ladder).
Our gentle itinerary will give you plenty of time to knit, connect, and hibernate.
What we'll knit:
Whatever you want! I find this is the best way to welcome all levels of knitters and enjoy the inspiration of all the amazing things people make. As it gets closer, I'll share featured patterns to consider if you'd like to knit along with me this fall!
What you get:
3 nights at Ski Hill Cabins (one more than last year!)
Gentle itinerary
Private saunas
Field trip to Dappled Fern Yarn Shop in Grand Marais, MN
Home cooked meals
Early bird registration at any future November Knit Camps!
Accommodations:
Private Room -King Bed (3 spots)
Shared Loft (accessible by ships ladder) Full Bed (6 spots)
Shared Room - Queen-above-Queen Bunk (6 spots)
Things to do in the area:
Fika Coffee is minutes away!
Oberg Mountain Trailhead
Caribou Trail Trailhead
Cascade Lodge Restaurant and Pub
Coho Cafe and Bakery
Dappled Fern Fibers
The North Country gift shop
Clearview General store
THE FINE PRINT:
Full payment is due at the time of booking.
Cancellation made on or before September 1, 2026 will receive a full refund.
Cancellations after September 1, 2026 will receive a refund if we are able to fill your spot. Alternately, you are welcome to send a friend in your place or donate the spot for us to fill with someone in our community who could use a break.
Please share the love, not the bugs. That goes for Covid and colds. If you are sick, stay home and send a friend in your place. We will send home anyone with symptoms to protect others in attendance and no refund will be given.
Pets are not allowed per property policy.
Folks who attend will get first dibs if we host this retreat next year!
If you don't get a spot email me at dorothy@wanderingfernretreats.com ASAP to join the waiting list!
Sunday, April 4 - Friday, April 9, 2027
13 spots
A knitting retreat in the red rock desert
We loved it so much….we’re going back! Join us for a 5-night all-inclusive knitting retreat in Sedona, Arizona to knit, hike, thaw out, and recharge in the breathtaking red rock desert.
Each day begins with a continental breakfast in the courtyard with red rock views, features a guided excursion, workshop, or free day with a packed brown-bag lunch, and ends with dinner, hot tub, stargazing, and knitting around the campfire.
Our itinerary
Our gentle itinerary offers ample time to knit, explore the hiking and biking trails behind the resort, soak in the hot tubs, do a little shopping, and connect with new knitting friends!
Day 1: Arrive and Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Knitting Workshop TBD!
Day 3: Guided Excursion: Petroglyph Site and Museum
Day 4: Guided Excursion: Hike
Day 5: Guided Excursion: Free Day
Day 6: Goodbyes…until next time!
What’s included:
This retreat is all inclusive! We provide all meals and supplies. Guided excursions are included and there are no surprise add-on costs to enjoy the full experience of this retreat.
Daily knitting circles
5 nights at The Red Agave Adventure Resort
5 South-west inspired dinners.
4 lunches (brown bag)
5 breakfasts (continental)
Guided Hike
Knitting workshop, pattern, supplies
Access to camp store
First dibs on a spot if we host this retreat next year!
What’s NOT included:
Airfare
Transportation from airport in Phoenix to resort (~2hr drive)
Transportation to Petroglyph Guided Experience
Transportation on Free Days
Alcohol (feel free to bring your own!)
Where we’ll stay
Knit Camp Sedona is hosted at The Red Agave Adventure Resort. This casual destination is located 7 miles south of downtown Sedona, in the Village of Oak Creek. While technically a Sedona address, this area is a little quieter, more walkable, and has easy access trails. Follow the link above for slideshow tour of the property!
The resort’s sweet chalets and simple studios arc around a spacious courtyard with fire circle, pool, and hot tubs overlooking iconic Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
Each chalet accommodates 3 people with a single room (queen bed) on the main floor and a shared loft (1 full bed, 1 twin bed) accessible from the living room / kitchen by a spiral staircase.
Hiking and biking trails lead out into the desert.
Our retreat will occupy about half of the units at the Red Agave and will share courtyard space with other guests who are not participating in the retreat. This resort does not have indoor gathering space so we will gather outside giving this retreat a true Knit Camp vibe!
Guided Excursions
You’ll have the opportunity to participate in two guided excursions in the area:
A tour of petroglyph sites.
A guided half day hike through the red rock desert.
You can sign up for one or both (no extra cost!) or do your own thing on these days instead! Transportation to and from the hike is provided but you will need to drive yourself or find a friend to carpool with on the tour of petroglyph sites. Please note that the destinations for these excursions may change depending on weather and guide availability.
Free Day
On the Free Day planned during the retreat, we’ll begin and end with our usual meals and knitting circles and set you free to do whatever you’d like in between. I'll share a list of some favorite hikes, shops, restaurants, and historical sites in case you want to adventure beyond the resort. You could book a massage or energy work. Or find a lovely spot at the resort to curl up and knit to your hearts content! We’ll reconnect as a group at the end of the day to share stories of our adventures.
How to get to Sedona:
Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Rent a car or take a shuttle (~2h) to The Red Agave. Shuttle options include:
Road trip! Make this retreat part of a Southwest road trip and visit places like Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arches National Park, The Grand Canyon, or Mesa Verde along the way!
A note about transportation
Dappled Fern will organize transportation to and from the Jeep Tour and Guided Hike excursions. You will need to bring or rent a vehicle if you would like to venture beyond the resort and surrounding trails at any other point. Dappled Fern is not able to provide transportation to retreat participants at this time per our insurance policy.
Two Payment Options
Pay via website: Full amount due at registration. $1000 is nonrefundable. Remainder is refundable until October 1, 2026.
OR, Pay via invoice (ask me to email). $1000 nonrefundable deposit due at registration, remainder due on October 1, 2026.
Cancellation policy:
Clear cancelation policies are important so everyone knows what to expect!
If you pay in full up front, $1000 is nonrefundable and the remainder is non-refundable after October 1, 2026. If you pay via invoice, the initial $1000 payment is non refundable and the remainder due on October 1, 2026 is also nonrefundable. After October 1, 2026, no refunds will be issued unless we are able to fill your spot.
If you do not pay the remainder due by October 1, 2026 your spot will go to someone on the waiting list and no refund will be given.
Refunds cannot be issued for last minute events that causes you to miss the retreat (emergencies, travel delays, missed flights, etc). We do encourage you to look into travel insurance on your own in case this might offer peace of mind.
Exceptions to this policy cannot be made. We are a small business counting on registration costs to prepay the venue and guides.
This trip needs a minimum of 9 participants registered by October 1, 2026 in order to make it happen! If we do not have the minimum by then, deposits will be refunded or credited towards another 2027 Dappled Fern retreat of your choice.
We hope the option spread out payment over time makes it easier to budget for the experience and minimizes your losses should you need to cancel, and having a clear cancellation policy helps you know what to expect when you register.
Why Sedona?
Sedona is one of my very favorite places in the world! There's nothing like the red dirt, big skies, petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, agave, manzanita, creosote bushes, desert rain, smooth sandstone rock formations, and dusty desert colors.
Sedona is located in North Central Arizona, 2hr drive North of Phoenix, AZ and about 2hr south of the Grand Canyon and the Navajo Nation. The average highs in April are in the 70s and the average lows are in the 40s. That’s basically summer weather in Grand Marais, Minnesota!
I grew up visiting my grandparents in Sedona, hiking places like Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral Rock, and exploring spots that my grandfather stumbled upon during his daily rambles or learned of from local birding society, Friends of the Forest, and museums: Schnebly Hill,Back’O Beyond, Thompson’s Ladder.
Sedona is a beloved destination to many and yet I find it doesn’t take much to get off the beaten path. I return every chance I get and it’s been a dream of mine to host a knitting retreat there to share this special place with you!
Tell your knitting besties!
Testimonials
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You created a wonderful community and safe haven - thank you!
Nancy
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I returned again this year for the sense of community and belonging.
Tannie
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Warm, cozy retreat where everyone is encouraging and fun - such a wonderful time!
Alyssa
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Thank you for an amazing knit camp experience - I came home truly rejuvenated.
Chelsea
