Welcome Home, Nomads!

Van-Lifers.

Bus Dwellers.

Tent Travelers.

Wanderers.

No matter how you live or move, if you're seeking a community-driven, nature-rich, and inclusive space to land for a while—Gaea Retreat Center is waiting for you.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Northeastern Kansas, Gaea offers more than just a place to park. We offer a sanctuary of connection, creativity, and purpose.

Why Gaea?

  • LGBTQIA+ Welcoming: Gaea is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit built on radical inclusivity.

  • Nature-Focused: 168 acres of forest, prairie, and lake—your backyard while you’re here.

  • Community-Rich: From impromptu fireside drum circles to volunteer-led workshops, there’s always a way to plug in.

  • Nonprofit Mission-Driven: Your stay supports environmental education, personal growth, and diverse community empowerment.

Stay for a Night—Or a While

We welcome short-term and extended stays for travelers looking for beauty, safety, and community. Whether you're just passing through or seeking to root for a season, we have space for you.

Standard Camping & Vehicle Stays

  • Online Registration

  • Designated camping and van-friendly parking areas

  • Natural amenities like wooded trails, a swimming lake, and fire rings

  • Rates begin at $15/night per adult

  • Pets welcome (on leash)

Extended Stays (14+ Days in a 30-Day Period)


If you're looking to stay longer than two weeks in a rolling 30-day period, Gaea requires Board approval before your arrival.
Here’s how it works:

  1. Submit Your Request Early – At least 30 days before your planned arrival.

  2. Deposit Required – A 50% deposit of your total extended stay is due once approved.

    • Work exchange? The deposit is still required but refundable upon successful completion of your tasks.

  3. Final Payment – Any unpaid balance must be paid before applying for another stay.

  4. Departure – Check-out is at midnight on your final approved day. All items must be removed by then.

Stay With Purpose:

Volunteering &

Work Exchange

We believe in the power of shared labor and meaningful contribution. For Nomads with skills (or just a willing heart), volunteering can offset part or all of your stay.

Work exchange opportunities include:

  • Trail clearing & groundskeeping

  • Light carpentry or infrastructure maintenance

  • Garden & permaculture work

  • Event support and camp beautification

Volunteers are part of the Gaea family while they’re here. You’ll be supported, respected, and appreciated—not just for what you do, but for who you are.

“I came for a place to park. I stayed because I found my people.” – Past VanLife guest

Join a Movement, Not Just a Campsite

More than a waypoint, Gaea is a place of return—many who find us once become long-term contributors, festival participants, and stewards of this sacred land.

If your journey needs rest, roots, or reconnection—we’d be honored to be part of your path.