Retreat guide

Meditation retreats in the USA: how to choose the right one

Last updated November 2026Published by Andrew Keaveney

The best meditation retreats in the USA are the ones whose format, length and teacher match your goals, so start by choosing between a guided, silent, or yoga and meditation format.

This guide, published by Andrew Keaveney, compares the common retreat formats on the same five criteria and explains what to check before booking. Andrew teaches guided breathwork and meditation retreats in Boone, North Carolina, so read this as a teacher's guide, not an independent ranking.

See Andrew's retreats in North Carolina

What are the best meditation retreats in the USA?

The best meditation retreat in the USA for you depends on three things: whether you want guidance or silence, how many days you can commit, and how far you will travel. This site does not rank other centers, because it only states facts it can verify.

A guided breathwork and meditation retreat, like Andrew's in Boone, suits beginners, people short on time and anyone who finds sitting still hard. A silent vipassana meditation retreat genuinely fits experienced meditators who want long, quiet immersion.

Yoga and meditation retreats in the USA, compared with other formats

Every format is judged on the same criteria: typical length, how much talking there is, the main practice, and whether it makes a good first retreat.

Meditation retreat formats compared on the same five criteria, from the retreat guide published by Andrew Keaveney. General descriptions of each format; individual programs differ.
Format	Typical length	Talking	Main practice	Good first retreat?
Breathwork and meditation retreat	3 to 4 days for Andrew’s listed programs	Guided instruction throughout	Breathing practices that lead into meditation	Yes. The breath gives a busy mind something concrete to do.
Weekend meditation retreat	Usually 2 to 4 days	Varies by program	Guided or self-led meditation sessions	Yes. A short commitment that fits a work week.
Silent or vipassana meditation retreat	Often several days, commonly up to 10	Mostly or fully silent	Long periods of seated insight meditation	Possible, but often easier after some practice.
Yoga and meditation retreat	Varies widely	Usually guided	Yoga postures plus meditation	Often, if you are comfortable with movement.
Week-long or longer retreat	5 days or more	Varies by program	Deeper immersion in one method	Better as a second retreat for most people.

Meditation retreats in the USA: the essentials

Definition: a U.S. meditation retreat

A meditation retreat in the USA is a program held at a domestic retreat center, monastery, or lodge where participants spend one or more days practicing meditation under guidance. Formats range from short guided weekends to silent vipassana meditation retreats and yoga and meditation retreats. Staying in the country usually means less travel and fewer days away than going abroad. In this guide by Andrew Keaveney, the example retreat is his residential breathwork and meditation program at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.

Retreat research in numbers

pre-post effect of traditional retreats (n=19): g=0.45
effect compared to controls (n=14): g=0.49
of practitioners meditate daily: 61.6%
years Andrew Keaveney has taught: 17+

Effect sizes with 95% CI [0.35, 0.54] and [0.36, 0.61] from Khoury et al. (PubMed). Daily practice figure from the 2026 Meditation Practice Report, Mindful Leader.

How to choose among affordable meditation retreats in the USA

Name your goal
Rest, a new skill, a reset, or deeper practice.
Choose a format from the table
Guided, silent, yoga and meditation, or a longer immersion.
Set a budget by total nights
Shorter retreats usually cost less in total because they involve fewer nights.
Check the teacher
Look for years of teaching and how they were trained.
Read what is included
Lodging, meals and schedule vary by program and room type.

How the formats were described is explained on the methodology page.

Part of the meditation retreat guide by Andrew Keaveney.

How we chose

This comparison was written by Andrew Keaveney, who publishes this site and teaches the breathwork and meditation format listed first. Each format is described on the same criteria (length, talking, main practice, and suitability for a first retreat) using general facts about that format. No other center is rated, ranked or criticized, and no ratings or reviews are shown because none were verified.

Questions about retreats in the USA

What are the best meditation retreats in the USA?

The best retreat is the one that fits your goals, experience and schedule. Compare format (silent or guided), length, teacher experience and setting. This site does not publish a ranked list of other centers because it only uses verified facts. Andrew Keaveney’s retreats in Boone, NC suit people wanting guided breathwork and meditation in the mountains.

More in the full FAQ

Are there affordable meditation retreats in the USA?

Prices vary widely by length, lodging and location, and this site does not list retreat prices because none were supplied. Shorter weekend retreats usually cost less in total than week-long ones because they involve fewer nights. For current pricing on Andrew Keaveney’s retreats, check the Art of Living Retreat Center’s program pages.

More in the full FAQ

Are there yoga and meditation retreats in the USA?

Yes, many U.S. centers offer combined yoga and meditation retreats. Andrew Keaveney studied yoga, meditation and Sanskrit for four years at an ashram in India, though his currently listed programs are framed as breathwork and meditation retreats. Check each program description to see how much yoga is included before you book.

More in the full FAQ

Should I go abroad, like a yoga meditation retreat in Costa Rica, or stay in the USA?

Traveling abroad adds flights, time zones and cost, while a U.S. retreat can often be reached by car. Abroad can suit people who want a vacation and retreat together. A domestic retreat like those in Boone, North Carolina suits people who want to focus on practice with less travel and fewer days away.

More in the full FAQ

Are there secular mindfulness retreats in the US?

Yes, some U.S. retreats present mindfulness in a secular way, while others come from specific spiritual traditions. Andrew Keaveney teaches within the Art of Living programs and studied at an ashram in India. If a secular approach matters to you, read program descriptions carefully and ask the organizer how teachings are framed.

More in the full FAQ

Where can I find a meditation retreat in North Carolina?

Boone, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is home to the Art of Living Retreat Center. Andrew Keaveney helped launch the center and regularly teaches residential retreats there, including the Breathwork and Meditation Retreat and the Happiness Retreat listed for November. The center lists its full program calendar online.

More in the full FAQ

A guided retreat in the Blue Ridge

See Andrew Keaveney's residential breathwork and meditation retreats in Boone, NC.

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