Belwin Conservancy is a nonprofit with a mission of inspiring connection and engagement with the natural world. Through immersive community programs, environmental education, and habitat restoration, we protect wild spaces and connect people to nature.
Located in Afton, MN, on the ancestral home of the Wahpekute Dakota people, Belwin’s 1,600 acres of permanently protected land includes woodland, prairie, oak savanna, ponds, streams, and wetlands.
As part of our community programming, we are offering the use of Belwin’s Savanna Center for Day-Long Artist and Culture Bearer Retreats during the months of January to May, 2026.
What is a Day-Long Retreat at Belwin?
A Day-Long Retreat is when artists and culture bearers can reserve and use Belwin’s Savanna Center Building #2 and the surrounding trail system, typically not open to the public, to relax, create, and be inspired.
What is “Savanna Center Building #2”?
Savanna Center Building #2 is a 1500-square foot building with access to a 320-acre oak savanna with over four miles of hiking trails.
Savanna Center Building #2 can accommodate a maximum of 4 people and provides three areas for use (which can also be seen in images at the bottom of this page):
- A garage
- A large open middle room with table, chair, and sliding glass doors on two sides
- A ‘C’ shaped room with a sit/stand desk and chair, couch, table with 4 chairs, bathroom, lounge chair and ottoman with table and lamp, and kitchenette that includes a sink, small refrigerator, microwave, dishes and silverware.
Also provided:
- WiFi
- Heat and air conditioning
- Free parking for up to two cars
- Trail maps and Belwin Information
- *Please note – this building is not accessible to people who use wheelchairs.
How much does a Day Long Retreat Cost?
These day long retreats are offered to artists and culture bearers free of charge.
When is the space available to reserve?
The space will be open and available to reserve during Belwin’s business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, with exceptions, during the months of January to May, 2026. Due to staffing availability, we are unable to offer evening and weekend hours at this time.
If you are interested in being on site for several days in a row, you may reserve the space for up to five days. The space can serve up to four people comfortably with space for two cars.
How do I make a reservation?
If you are interested in reserving a day-long retreat, fill out an interest form by clicking the button below. This will add you to the artist and culture bearers email list and you will be informed when the next block of dates becomes available to reserve the space for your retreat.
Below are images of the space including the open workspace, interior, and garage.
