11 of the Most Beautiful Places to Disconnect from the World

The demand for travel has more than stormed back, which means it's the season to explore as another summer fades into the fall. If the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything at all, it's that our own backyards are ripe for discovery, with worthwhile natural beauty in each and every state. Plus, getting offline and out-of-doors is a balm unto itself. We know there are multiple benefits to decreased screen time, from improved sleep, to deepened personal connections, to being more present, to increased productivity and capacity for learning, among many others. And according to the Mayo Clinic, time spent in nature has a host of purported benefits too, like lowering stress, heart rate, and blood pressure and improved ability to concentrate.

All of this is to say, we think it's time to plan your next getaway. While exploring far-flung destinations is always fun, domestic travel is not only safer, but far easier in our current world; what's more, there's so much to explore close to home. If you're planning a stateside getaway, why not map our a domestic getaway with a focus on disconnecting? After all, this country is brimming with properties prime for privacy, relaxation, and unplugging. To help you on your way, we've rounded up our favorites, from coast to coast.

With so many different United States destinations to choose from, there truly is something for every traveler here, from the adventurous outdoorsy-type to the pampered spa enthusiast. Ahead, explore a few of our favorites, from sea to shining sea, and everywhere in between. We'll transport you from a remote island retreat, to a luxury Rocky Mountain ranch, to a secluded high desert oasis, to a wine country escape, and beyond. 

Ensconced in the stunning old-growth Umpqua National Forest, Oregon's isolated Steamboat Inn is the perfect place to disconnect. Wi-Fi is only available in the property's public spaces, like the cozy library, lobby, and dining room, which ensures that guests actually experience the sights and sounds of the roaring Umpqua River as it tumbles over the falls and winds past the Inn. Each room in this rustic, boutique property is special, though the Maple Ridge Suite is the most lovely option of all. Complete with a stand alone tub overlooking a private deck and the misty wilds, this suite is truly one of a kind. Additionally, the culinary bounty of the Pacific Northwest shines through the rotating dining menu; pro tip: the chef's sampler platter includes house-cured charcuterie and shouldn't be missed, and meals can be delivered right to the rooms for maximum alone time.

Located in Barnard, Vermont, Twin Farms is a bucolic, adults-only adventure land on a sprawling 300-plus acre property. Ten standalone cottages mean maximum privacy in the woods, and with spotty-at-best cell phone service, guests can actually unplug to hear birds chirping and leaves rustling. Each season boasts different private guided activities mostly in the adventure realm, from archery, to fly fishing, to paddling, along with relaxing picks like spa services and foliage tours. In terms of dining, several private picnic sites are sprinkled throughout Twin Farms; these provide the most serene way to enjoy the ever-changing New England-inspired offerings of Chef Nathan Rich. 

Just four miles from downtown Fredericksburg, Odonata Escape is an ideal Hill Country retreat, prime for disconnecting in a beautiful natural landscape. It's also sustainable, since these modern rooms were built into converted shipping containers. This area is particularly known for stargazing, as nearby Enchanted Rock is a designated International Dark Sky Park and Fredericksburg itself is a Dark Sky Community. Plus, no Texas Hill Country trip can be complete without sampling local wines. Each suite includes a private deck, pair of Adirondack chairs and wine glasses to enjoy a sip or four. 

Calamigos is Southern California's finest retreat for unplugging, offering visitors access to a 250-acre ranch, as well as an eponymous beach club. Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Calamigos Guest Ranch is where rugged nature meets Malibu wine country. Travelers can relax at the spa, explore via hike, and snuggle into custom-made mattresses at this family-owned-and-operated gem. Additionally, ranch guests get access to the Calamigos Beach Club, another five acre parcel with sugar sand beaches and dramatic, azure waters. ​​Numerous private cottages and bungalows allow for extra serene accommodations, though sumptuous estate rooms also offer 750 square feet of space to unwind. 

Lake Michigan's largest island is an isolated maritime paradise, complete with an upscale glamping resort. The Beaver Island Retreat boasts more than 30 tent dwellings, each with their own personality. Some are perfect for stargazing, others highlight the surrounding beech-maple forest, and all fit under the glamorous camping umbrella, where the outdoors intersects with creature comforts. Designed with privacy in mind, these tent sites are more than double the size mandated by law and some even have up to 5,000 square feet of space. Beaver Island itself can only be accessed by private plane or boat and is one of the more remote places in the lower 48, so it's an optimal spot to disconnect. 

The mountains are calling and we should all go to C Lazy U Ranch, a Rocky Mountain must. This opulent, family friendly Colorado getaway claims 8,500 acres to explore all year round. Guests can even choose their own adventure, down to limiting technology time. Recreational offerings include fly fishing in a private stream, tennis, horseback riding, zipline and high ropes course, archery, hiking, and more. Instead of TVs, guest rooms contain wood-burning fireplaces and common areas boast board games, outdoor gear, and hot cocoa stations. A slew of modern cabins provide separate lodging options, while a full-service spa offers another way to disconnect.

Camp Wandawega is essentially an adult summer camp in Southern Wisconsin. Nostalgia meets the great outdoors here, on a 25-acre waterfront retreat, a former lake resort. Campers can swim, fish, canoe, hike and more, followed by resting their heads in a vintage cabin home. All activities can be counselor-led or booked solo based on personal preference. Plus, the W-Fi on property is notoriously weak for forced unplugging on the densely forested property. Plus, by design, no TVs or tech are available in the guest cabins, which makes the natural white noise of crickets in the night a reality.

Bend, Oregon, is a well-known unplugged hotspot, boasting tons of outdoor/adventure companies' headquarters. Just outside the city and without all the crowds rests the incomparable Brasada Ranch. With 2,000 acres of land in the craggy high desert of central Oregon, disconnecting is a way of life rather than an afterthought. Miles of walking, hiking, and equestrian trails await, with unparalleled views of the Cascade mountain range. Bespoke meal kits can be utilized to grill dinner from the comfort of your private abode, sixty five cabins spread over as many acres. A uniquely designed golf course, Brasada Canyons, champions privacy with no two holes running parallel to each other.

The Palmetto state's premier property, the Montage Palmetto Bluff, offers a slice of Southern charm between Charleston and Savannah. Fittingly set on a 20,000-acre nature preserve, this luxe Low Country escape features a Naturalist program with private walking tours and birding excursions, among other outdoor offerings. Guests can also experience paddle boarding on the scenic May River, bike the Bluff, or book numerous boat tours to nearby beaches and islands. On the accommodations side, multiple standalone cottages provide ample space to unwind and disconnect from it all. 

California wine country might not seem like a natural place to disconnect, but MacArthur Place is an upscale boutique property that makes it as easy as one, two, three. One, the luxury resort is a half mile outside of Sonoma, which means it's close to the action but far enough to offer a quiet retreat. Two, lush gardens fill the more than six acre property, transected by winding pathways through the verdant landscaping; guests can even disconnect with a self-guided tour of the outdoor sculpture garden, some of which was crafted through the hotel's celebrated artist-in-residence program. Three, all suites come with their own private outdoor space, either a balcony, patio, porch, or even a hybrid indoor-outdoor shower. Visitors can use complimentary e-bikes to explore the area, or can hike the nearby Sonoma Overlook Trail, a three-mile hike with breathtaking views of the Sonoma Valley.

The Last Frontier of Alaska is, by definition, a perfect destination to commune with nature and disconnect from technology. Of the state's many off-the-beaten path properties, the illustrious Steamboat Bay Fishing Club near Ketchikan rises above the rest. The club is perched on private Noyes Island, only accessible by a float plane transport followed by a boat ride. With an unbeatable location near prime fishing grounds, SBFC attracts world class fishermen and women as well as general outdoor enthusiasts. Rooms in the Lodge either offer a water or forest view, and for an even more private experience, a standalone option, The Residence, can be booked out for groups. It's impossible not to relax and unplug while watching otters play in the bay or hauling in a massive halibut from the depths of the mighty Pacific.