Full Moon Forest Bathing : October 5, 2025

Join our nature and forest therapy guide in this two-hour program that encourages you to slow down and take in the National Arboretum through all your senses. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, improved attention and mood, and hitting the reset button on life. The Japanese have enjoyed shinrin yoku for decades as a regular public health initiative.

Our forest bathing walks consist of three ‘invitations’. Each time the guide will prompt you to reflect on a particular aspect of the natural world around you, give you time to wander and meditate throughout the garden collection, then reconvene the group to share reflections. While some people choose to walk extensively during this ‘forest bathing walk’, many others choose to sit and get to know specific areas of the collection. Each forest bathing walk will end with a modified tea ceremony — we will have small pre-packaged snacks to close the walk.

For this special full moon forest bathing walk during the August blue supermoon:

• No children under 16 or pets, please.
• Full moon events fill quickly — register soon to reserve your spot.
• Registration is required to enter the Arboretum grounds after hours. The grounds will not be open to the public during this event.
• Use the R Street Entrance (2400 R St NE) to enter the grounds. The gate will open at 6:00 PM, and visitors have until 6:20 to enter the grounds (see late arrival policy below).

Once you purchase a ticket, you will receive more information on how to prepare for the event.

Late Arrivals: The gates will open at 6:00 PM for participants, please plan accordingly with traffic to arrive before 6:20 PM. Due to Arboretum security procedures, any attendees who arrive late to the event (after 6:20 PM) will not be allowed in the Arboretum. Note that our Forest Bathing group will be split into two, so if you arrive before anyone else from your group, please let our forest bathing guides know.

No refunds are provided for those who arrive late.

Weather Cancellations: Forest bathing walks are held in many weather conditions, including light rain or snow. If FONA cancels the event due to unsafe conditions or threat of inclement weather, you will be notified by email at least 6 hours before the walk and offered a certificate to attend an event at a later date.

Low Registration Cancellations: FONA reserves the right to cancel a forest bathing walk if fewer than 16 people register. In the event of a cancellation due to low participant registration, you will receive a certificate to attend an event at a later date.

Refund Policy: Full refunds are provided for refund requests received up to 4 days prior to the program date. That said, it is easier for us to refill your space from the waitlist if you cancel earlier, so we appreciate cancelling as early as you can so we can offer up this experience to others.

Host or Publisher Friends of the National Arboretum