Giving Thanks in the Forest: Your New Thanksgiving Tradition
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
— Anonymous
As autumn deepens its hues across the ridges of western North Carolina, the Pisgah National Forest transforms into a cathedral of golds, crimson, and amber. It’s in this sacred season that we invite you to bring your Thanksgiving to the forest—to trade the clamor of kitchens for the hush of mossy trails, and to let gratitude guide the weekend.
Why Thanksgiving in Pisgah Feels Different
Thanksgiving is often tethered to tradition: cooking, cleanup, traffic. But what if it could become something else entirely—a chance to pause, reflect, and recalibrate?
Pisgah National Forest spans over 500,000 acres of hardwood forest, waterfalls, and miles of trails. This time of year the crisp air invites early-morning walks, expansive views, and moments of peaceful solitude.
For guests at Valley Bear Farms, this becomes more than a trip—it becomes a practice: a chance to ground yourself, to look inward, and to feel more deeply connected to the land, to loved ones, and to your own heart.
The Science of Gratitude + Nature
Why does combining gratitude with time in nature feel so powerful? Because both carry measurable mental, emotional, and even physical benefits.
- Gratitude practices—like journaling, gratitude letters, or simple reflections—are linked to better mood, improved sleep, reduced stress, and greater life satisfaction.
- Studies show that gratitude can deepen our connection to nature, motivating environmental stewardship and sparking more caring behaviors.
- Being in natural environments lowers cortisol (a stress hormone) and improves cognitive functioning. When paired with gratitude, those effects are amplified.
In short: when we slow down in a forest, reflect on what we’re thankful for, and contemplate our relationship with the natural world, we nourish both spirit and self.
A Sample Itinerary: Thanksgiving at Valley Bear Farms
Here’s how a gratitude-centered Thanksgiving weekend might unfold:
Time: Wednesday Evening
Activity: Arrive, light a fire, settle in
Purpose & Reflection Prompt: “What burdens can I leave behind? What feels heavy that can rest here among the pines?”
Time: Thanksgiving Morning
Activity: Take a wandering walk along Valley Bear Farms 5 miles of on site trails
Purpose & Reflection Prompt: Walk in silence for 10–15 minutes; honor what the land gives you (the hush, the breeze, the stones).
Time: Midday
Activity: Communal Thanksgiving meal prep. Be sure to rent one of our luxury homes for the traditional Thanksgiving meal
Purpose & Reflection Prompt: Reflect as a group on all that you have to be thankful for.
Time: Dinner
Activity: Enjoy a bountiful meal with friends and family
Purpose & Reflection Prompt: Invite guests to share one gratitude aloud.
Time: Sunset
Activity: Firepit circle + s’mores & pumpkin pie
Purpose & Reflection Prompt: Plan your adventures for the rest of your stay (pickleball tournaments, hiking, waterfall hunting, etc).
Time: Friday
Activity: Hike to one of the top waterfalls in the area.
Purpose & Reflection Prompt: Bring a “gratitude list” to read while overlooking a valley.
Time: Saturday
Activity: Cozy time in cabin, board games, read by candlelight
Purpose & Reflection Prompt: Let silence take over; resist the urge to “fill time.”
You can adapt this for whatever your guests’ pace is. The goal isn’t to fill every moment—but to let some moments breathe.
Gratitude Practices to Try in the Forest
Here are a few simple practices to weave into your stay:
- Gratitude journaling – Each morning or evening, write 3–5 things you’re grateful for.
- Gratitude letter to nature – Write a short note addressing a tree, creek, or trail and offer thanks. Research shows this deepens nature inclusion and self-transcendent emotions.
- Silent Sit – Pick a spot (rock, root, moss bed) and sit for 5–10 minutes in silence, breathing and listening.
- Walking gratitude – With each step, mentally name something you appreciate (air, earth, body, companions).
These aren’t gimmicks—they’re gateways to deeper awareness.
Turning Gratitude Into Action
Gratitude often leads to giving—not just in feelings, but in action. Recent research shows gratitude promotes prosocial behavior, even when people aren’t sure what the rewards will be. Over the holiday weekend, you might:
- Leave a small gift or note in the cabin for the next guests
- Commit to a local forest cleanup (or support
Pisgah Conservancy)
- Pledge to reduce waste, support local/regenerative farms, or plant native trees in your home community
Gratitude need not remain internal—it can ripple outward.
Why This Thanksgiving Could Be Your Most Meaningful Yet
- Distance from distraction — By removing yourself from habitual obligations, you gift your mind space to reflect.
- Re-rooting in place — Being in the forest helps you remember how small and yet how deeply connected we are to the web of life.
- Shared presence — Without the usual bustle, conversations deepen, stories surface, and real connection grows.
- Intentional rest — The quiet season in Pisgah is made for slowing—and gratitude invites you to fully rest.
And yes—Valley Bear Farms becomes your safe haven for all of this. Your cabin is a cozy anchor; the forest is your mirror; the weekend becomes a threshold into a new tradition.
Want a Quick Glance of Fall Events?
Our luxury homes have full kitchens with ovens to cook up your traditional Thanksgiving meal. The A-Frame Collection units have kitchenettes with a cooktop, as well as an outdoor gas grill. Cabins and yurts have outdoor charcoal grills to cook with.