What is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing is a mindful practice that involves immersing your senses in nature to promote mental and physical well-being.

Do I need to be physically fit to participate?

No special fitness level is required; the experience involves gentle walking and standing within the garden.

Is the session suitable for children?

Participants must be at least 16 years old to join the guided session.

What should I bring to the session?

Comfortable shoes, sun protection, water, and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Pets are not permitted inside The Kampong during Forest Bathing sessions.

Can I book the experience for a private group?

Currently, sessions are limited to groups up to 20; inquire directly with The Kampong about private bookings.

Forest Bathing at The Kampong: Miami's Natural Retreat | Self-Guided Tour | Eco Tour

Just minutes from downtown Miami, The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens offers an exceptional chance to step back from the urban rush and engage deeply with subtropical nature. Located at 4013 Douglas Rd, this 11-acre botanical garden is a living archive of rare tropical plants and exotic trees, reflecting Miami’s unique ecological tapestry. Here, Forest Bathing unfolds as a guided, science-backed experience unlike any other in South Florida.

Forest Bathing at The Kampong is led by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta, whose expertise bridges neuroscience and environmental psychology. This 90-minute journey encourages participants to quiet their minds and awaken their senses, using gentle prompts to tune into the sights, sounds, textures, and scents of the garden's diverse plant life. Unlike a typical nature walk, this practice is rooted in evidence showing how immersion in natural environments reduces physiological stress markers and enhances mood.

The Kampong’s landscape is a rare blend of tropical hardwoods, flowering trees, and medicinal plants, some cultivated for more than a century. This setting offers a distinct backdrop where visitors can absorb the calming influence of lush foliage, delicate birdcalls, and the subtle ocean breeze filtering through canopy leaves. The garden holds cultural significance as part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens network, founded to preserve tropical species and educate about plant conservation.

What sets this experience apart in Miami is its blend of rigorous scientific insight and mindful engagement with nature, making it ideal for urban adventurers seeking mental clarity and emotional balance. Limited to small groups, the session fosters community while allowing personal reflection. Whether you’re a local seeking renewal or visiting for a unique outdoor activity, Forest Bathing at The Kampong offers a grounded, restorative encounter with nature’s rhythms amid a bustling cityscape.

About The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens

The Kampong — part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens — is a historic tropical garden located in Miami, Florida on the shores of Biscayne Bay. The site preserves the Fairchild-Sweeney House and showcases the legacy of plant explorer David Fairchild through extensive exotic fruit trees, rare tropical species, and curated collections. Visitors can choose docent-led guided tours that highlight the estate’s history and plant collections, or self-guided tours that allow leisurely exploration with a provided map.

The Kampong hosts a rotating schedule of hands-on workshops and classes set in the garden landscape. Offerings include cyanotype printing for fabric, community indigo dip workshops teaching Shibori resist dyeing, edible gardening programming presented with UF/IFAS (recommended for ages 12 and up), watercolor courses led by local artist Eileen Seitz, and all-levels yoga with Sam Reynolds. Forest bathing sessions guided by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta focus on sensory practices grounded in science; evening Moonrise Forest Bathing is offered under the full moon.

Several specialty experiences such as macrophotography, ikebana, functional movement, and seasonal events invite creative engagement with plants and place. Cyanotype workshops note limited spaces to encourage advance booking. The Kampong combines plant conservation, education, and cultural programming on a historic estate, offering both structured interpretation and independent discovery for visitors interested in botany, art, sustainability, and Miami’s tropical landscape.

Public programs emphasize hands-on learning, conservation-minded practices, seasonal plant highlights, and the site supports research, education, and community engagement for residents and visitors from Miami and beyond, with year-round programming and volunteer opportunities available.