Taylor Kitsch Says Moving to Montana Brought Him ‘More Peace’ (Exclusive)

Montana will forever allow Taylor Kitsch to have a home away from home.

In an interview for this week’s issue of PEOPLE, the Canadian actor, 43, discussed how moving to Bozeman, Mont. in 2021 after previously living in Austin, Texas for over 15 years has allowed him to find inner peace.

“Honestly, it’s like, I love wildlife photography and I miss the mountains. I miss the seasons. And I built my dream home in Austin and then ended up obviously selling it and just simplifying everything in my life,” he says.

Being more connected to the outdoors in Montana has brought the Friday Night Lights alum happiness. “It brings a lot more peace being in the wild, in the wilderness, a lot more quiet, and it reminds me of home a lot more,” he says.

Kitsch tells PEOPLE that after working on more “intense” projects like the 2023 Netflix drama Painkiller and his new Netflix Western, American Primeval, he enjoys getting in his “adventure van” and driving to the backcountry to take photos and go fly fishing.

“You need a breath and there’s no better place for me to take that breath,” says Kitsch.

While the actor notes that the city of Austin has changed since his time there, he admits there is one thing he misses about his previous home. “I was right on Lake Austin, so I miss that. Being on the lake and being able to go wake surfing and going for sunset rides with your buddies and stuff. But I mean, that’s probably one of the only things I miss about,” he says, before adding, “I don’t miss the heat.”

The actor’s move to Montana has also given him some new goals, as he’s currently working to open a nature retreat to serve the sober community. The mission was inspired by his sister Shelby Kitsch-Best’s sobriety journey.

“I didn’t even know sober escapes existed until I had the crash course with my sis. I was like, ‘Man, it sounds incredible to offer people a chance to reconnect in nature and slow things down,’ ” says Kitsch.

Kitsch tells PEOPLE that he hopes the nature retreat will also offer a place for kids and veterans to find solace. “You want to go hike, fish, hang out, do nothing, write, read, anything? It’s is all up there for you,” he says.

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American Primeval is streaming on Netflix now.