Kelly Louden is the beautiful soul behind Central Oregon’s newest hidden gem – Wild Juniper Sanctuary, a relaxing oasis in Terrebonne. Dr. Dishman and Dr. Weintrob recently had a chance to visit. In Dr. Dishman’s words:
“What a magical treat to stay at Wild Juniper Sanctuary! We needed to touch down and connect energetically, and decided Wild Juniper was the perfect little reset for a “work retreat.” Wild Juniper is infused with Nature based elements that are designed to bring visitors into a state of deep reset and connection to Nature.
Every single element has been intentionally thought through – from the Circadian lights, grounding sheets, stocked door with various random condiments, organic coffee and beautiful teas, analog clocks beside each bed, charging stations within closets, eucalyptus in the showers, soft organic linens, yoga mats, weights, massage balls…and that’s just inside the house!!
The outside of Wild Juniper is infused with setting a kinesthetic Natural rhythm. We enjoyed the sweetest little Nature walk around the property, signaling the 4 Corners of the property – taking in the sign post carvings of prayers, intentions and energies that each cardinal direction offers. At night, the soft robes were a gift on the walk out to the party lights surrounding the Sauna (wet) and Cold Plunge! It was chilly during our winter visit, so to warm the bones and heart was a delight.”
IHM: Hi Kelly, we’re thrilled to kick off our first Community Connections interview of 2026 with you! We’d love to start with a little bit about your journey and what led you to create Wild Juniper Sanctuary.
KL: Wild Juniper grew out of a desire to offer a quiet, private place in nature where people could rest, restore, and rebalance. The vision first came to me in 2017, after I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition, Transverse Myelitis, followed closely by an ER visit when I thought I was having a heart attack. At the time, I was a single mother of two teenagers and running three small businesses I had built. The stress had finally caught up with me, and fortunately, it became a turning point in how I viewed health and healing.
I began exploring holistic wellness practices including yoga, meditation, energy healing, breathwork, hot and cold therapy, juicing, detoxing, time in nature and grounding, while also deepening my spiritual practices. At the same time, I started taking intentional steps to simplify my life.
By 2022, I had sold two of my businesses, licensed out my inventions, sold my home in Bend, and parted ways with my partner. I was essentially starting over, and my focus returned to a long-held dream of creating a wellness property. I wasn’t certain where it was meant to be, so I went looking. I spent a year road-tripping solo around the U.S., lived in Nosara, Costa Rica for seven months, and tried the Hill Country of Texas for six months…until, unexpectedly, a Zillow listing led me back to Central Oregon. There, I felt called to build Wild Juniper on five acres in Terrebonne.
IHM: Could you tell us about your retreat space? What can guests expect during their stay?
KL: Wild Juniper is a private, light-filled sanctuary set on several acres of high desert land in Central Oregon. It is intentionally designed for individuals or couples seeking deep restoration through time in nature, simple wellness practices, and a break from digital distractions. Guests can expect simplicity paired with comfort…open skies, juniper trees, quiet trails, and a curated collection of wellness amenities, along with a High Desert Reset guidebook offering gentle suggestions for a self-guided retreat experience, only if desired – no pressure!
IHM: Do you also rent the property out to groups looking for event/retreat space?
KL: Wild Juniper is primarily designed for intimate stays – up to 5 five guests in the house, 2 guests in an additional area, and some spaces for guests to camp. Occasionally I collaborate with wellness practitioners for small gatherings. Last summer, a dear friend hosted a beautiful sound healing, and I would love to offer more gatherings of that nature.
IHM: It’s one thing to dream about building a space like this, but it’s another thing to actually do it! Kudos to you. How did you know where to begin and what did your process look like to bring this dream to fruition? How did you work through any roadblocks along the way?
KL: Thank you! This part of the journey was incredibly expansive for me. I had no prior experience developing bare land or acting as the general contractor on a home build. I began by asking lots of questions, hiring incredibly helpful subcontractors, and mostly by listening…to the land and to my intuition. Remarkably, I encountered very few roadblocks aside from some budget concerns, timeline glitches, one challenging subcontractor and of course my moments of questioning my slightly insane decision to tackle all of this on my own. A few friends graciously held space for tears during those moments.
IHM: Are there specific design elements you incorporated to support a tranquil environment?
KL: Yes – every detail was chosen with the nervous system in mind. Natural light, uncluttered spaces, and earthy materials create a sense of calm upon arrival. Circadian lighting is woven throughout the home, and healing plants were added to further support a tranquil environment.
The land itself plays a central role in the experience, with walking paths that invite guests to visit the four corners of the property, where wooden signs share the meanings of North, East, South, and West. Guests are also encouraged to pause beneath the prayer tree for a moment of reflection. My favorite element is a cascading water feature built by a dear friend…during the summer months, guests are invited to stand in the water for a soothing, grounding experience.
IHM: What do you feel sets Wild Juniper apart from traditional spas or other retreat centers?
KL: Wild Juniper isn’t about fixing or optimizing…it’s about pausing. Unlike traditional spas or structured retreat centers, there’s no agenda and no expectation to transform. Guests are given space to listen inward and engage with the gentle and restorative suggestions offered in the High Desert Reset guidebook.
IHM: What do you hope each guest takes with them long after they leave Wild Juniper?
KL: My hope is that guests leave with a felt sense of what it’s like to be grounded, balanced, and deeply rested. Even small shifts matter: better sleep, a deeper connection with nature, or a renewed desire to adjust everyday habits…perhaps they stop charging their phone near their bed, begin walking barefoot outside, or make a habit of catching the sunrise a few times a week. Small choices that lead to meaningful benefits.
IHM: Are there any books, podcasts, or shows/movies that have inspired you lately?
KL: I recently read The Energy Codes by Dr. Sue Morter and feverishly highlighted nearly every page!
I also revisited Anatomy of the Spirit by Carolyn Myss, and enjoyed the second reading as much as the first – so many powerful insights.
IHM: What are you most excited about this year? Do you have any new offerings or collaborations on the horizon that you’d like to share?
KL: I’m most excited to see who feels called to spend time at Wild Juniper. I continue to be in awe of the remarkable guests who choose to visit.
As for collaborations, I will continue to offer energy healing sessions with Angela at Justica Healing and massage sessions with Kayla Bates. Guests consistently rave about their services.
IHM: Which of our 8 Pillars of Inspired Health are you personally giving extra attention to these days?
KL: I love this question…it illuminated the pillar that is calling to me: community. I’m currently emerging from a six-week period of consciously curated, soothing solitude. After two years of developing, building, and birthing Wild Juniper, I felt a deep need to savor the sanctuary I had created for others to enjoy.
That pause was deeply replenishing and restorative, and now I sense it’s time to shift back toward community and connection.
IHM: And as usual, let’s share some Central Oregon love! Can you share a couple of your favorite local businesses?
KL: I love Terra Kitchen in Redmond for delicious, healthy Central Oregon flavors!
My favorite meet-up spot is SCP Hotel – whether lounging on the comfy couches or enjoying a beverage up on the rooftop.
When I’m craving mat time in community, my go-to is Love Bird Yoga…such a welcoming vibe!
As for favorite nature spots – my daily walk leads me along the Deschutes River, a few minutes from Wild Juniper.
Thank you Kelly!
To learn more and book your stay, visit Wild Juniper Sanctuary’s website. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
***Kelly is offering a 15% discount to all Inspired Health patients! Simply reach out through the contact form on the website and mention that you’re an Inspired Health patient.***
