Best Christian Retreat Centers in the USA: 8 Top Picks
The best Christian retreat centers in the USA range from silent Trappist monasteries to busy conference campuses, and the right one depends on the kind of rest you are after. Some offer structured worship and teaching; others simply hand you a plain room, shared meals and long stretches of quiet. Every place below is a real, currently operating center, grouped by region and tradition so you can match a setting to what you actually need.
The West
New Camaldoli Hermitage, Big Sur, California
High on the cliffs above the Pacific, this Camaldolese Benedictine monastery offers one of the most dramatic retreat settings in the country. Guests stay in simple rooms with ocean views, keep the monastery's rhythm of prayer and silence, and take in the Big Sur coast. It is Catholic in tradition but welcomes guests of all backgrounds seeking stillness.
Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico
Set in the red-rock desert that Georgia O'Keeffe made famous, Ghost Ranch is an ecumenical education and retreat center with Presbyterian roots. It runs a broad program of workshops, spiritual retreats and outdoor activity, and is open to people of any faith. The landscape alone does a lot of the work.
The Midwest
Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota
Home to one of the largest Benedictine communities in the world, Saint John's Abbey welcomes guests for individual and group retreats on a wooded campus of lakes and prairie. The famous modern abbey church is worth the trip in itself, and the monks' tradition of hospitality runs deep.
The South
Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Kentucky
The oldest working monastery in the United States, and the home of writer Thomas Merton, Gethsemani offers silent retreats in the Trappist tradition in the rolling hills near Bardstown. Guests join the monks' cycle of prayer, eat simply and keep silence. It is the classic American monastic retreat.
Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, South Carolina
A Trappist monastery on a former plantation beside the Cooper River, Mepkin Abbey is known for its beautiful gardens and deep quiet. It offers private and guided silent retreats, and the setting under moss-draped oaks is unforgettable. Like Gethsemani, it suits anyone wanting stillness rather than a packed schedule.
The East and Appalachians
Kanuga, Hendersonville, North Carolina
An Episcopal conference and retreat center in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kanuga is one of the largest in the country. It hosts conferences, family camps and personal retreats across a big lakeside campus, and works well for groups and families who want structure and community rather than solitude.
Holy Cross Abbey, Berryville, Virginia
A Trappist monastery in the Shenandoah Valley, Holy Cross Abbey offers quiet private retreats within easy reach of Washington, D.C. Guests keep their own pace, join the prayer times if they wish, and rest in the farm-country setting. It is a good choice for a short, restorative break near the capital.
Ridgecrest Conference Center, Ridgecrest, North Carolina
For a Protestant, evangelical setting, Ridgecrest is a large Baptist conference center in the mountains east of Asheville. It runs conferences, camps and retreats with teaching, worship and outdoor recreation, and suits churches and groups looking for a program rather than silence.
How to choose the right Christian retreat
- Want deep silence? A Trappist monastery like Gethsemani or Mepkin is hard to beat.
- Prefer teaching and community? Kanuga or Ridgecrest give you program, worship and company.
- Open to any tradition? Ghost Ranch is ecumenical and welcomes all comers.
- Short on time? Holy Cross Abbey near D.C. or a nearby abbey guesthouse makes a restful weekend.
Whichever you choose, a little planning helps. If this is new to you, read our guide to what a retreat center is and to what a silent retreat is like. For more options across faiths and styles, browse the wider best spiritual retreats in the USA and the full Retreat Central directory.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Christian retreat center in the USA?
The Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky is probably the best known, largely because the writer and Trappist monk Thomas Merton lived there. It still welcomes guests for silent retreats in the Trappist tradition, and it set the pattern for monastic hospitality across the country.
Do you have to be religious to visit a Christian retreat center?
Not always. Many centers, such as Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, are ecumenical and open to people of any faith or none, while monasteries welcome respectful guests seeking quiet even if they are not churchgoers. Programs range from structured worship to simple silence, so check each center's tone before you book.
How much does a Christian retreat cost?
Monastic guesthouses are often the most affordable option and sometimes run on a suggested donation, while conference centers and resorts charge set rates for room and board. As a rough guide, expect anything from a modest donation to a few hundred dollars for a weekend, depending on the center and the room.
What is a silent retreat like?
On a silent retreat you keep silence through most or all of the stay, joining set prayer or meditation times and eating simply, often in shared silence. It sounds daunting but many people find a couple of days without talking or screens deeply restful. Trappist monasteries like Gethsemani and Mepkin specialize in this.
When is the best time to book a Christian retreat?
Popular weekends, Lent, Advent and signature programs fill months ahead, so book early for a specific date. Monastic guesthouses have limited rooms and can be reserved well in advance, while larger conference centers have more space but busier summer seasons.