Dying to ditch the phone, escape social media and go for more than a day without staring at a screen? Then the vast landscapes of the US are for you. Whether you want to escape to the beach, hike a mountain without being surrounded by Instagrammers or find a blackspot where you're completely uncontactable, you'll find something in this list of the best places to visit in the US for a digital detox.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
It’s hard to find somewhere better to disconnect than Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. Characterised by dramatic, seemingly endless landscapes, the park gives a feeling of complete isolation. Here, rivers have carved vast caverns out of limestone and the Chisos mountain range sits surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert. Ranger-led hikes, scenic drives and river trips are all highlights, but it’s not just the daylight hours that make this park worth a visit.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
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As the sun sets, a coal-black sky sweeps above the desert and is slowly illuminated by a blanket of twinkling lights. These are stars as you've never seen them before. With the Milky Way parading across its canvas in all its glory, it's no surprise that Big Bend is renowned as one of the best places in the US for stargazing.
Point Reyes National Seashore, California
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A digital detox doesn’t have to mean losing yourself in the depths of the desert or amid forest-strewn mountains. While the dramatic coastal scenery of Point Reyes National Seashore may inspire you to take out the camera, there’s so much to do here that you’ll forget about the digital world. Spot whales and seals from the rocky headland, kayak on Tomales Bay, or ride a horse along the soft sands.
Point Reyes National Seashore, California
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There are a couple of major highlights in the area that you really shouldn’t miss. Tumbling onto Wildcat Beach, Alamere Falls is the spectacular – and worthwhile – reward of a challenging 13-mile hike, while on the road to the historic KPH Maritime Radio Receiving Station, you’ll find the famed Cypress Tree Tunnel.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee
If you were inspired by Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods but don’t have six months to spare to hike the Appalachian Trail, losing yourself for a week along the hiking trails of the Great Smoky Mountains is a great alternative. Difficult hikes are rewarded with breathtaking views and there are few national parks in the US where the seasons are so distinct and so beautiful.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee
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There are plenty of peaceful waterfalls to be found in the park including the popular Grotto, Laurel, Abrams and Rainbow falls. While the hikes can be difficult, they are certainly worth it. The only place to stay in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that isn't a tent is LeConte Lodge – the highest guest lodge in eastern America. Don’t expect luxury though. It’s only accessible by foot and cabins are very basic.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
As inspiring as the name suggests, the Badlands National Park is a rugged, barren landscape where you’ll be lucky to find reception good enough to receive a call or post a photo. While you can hike in the park, the heat can be unbearable, hiring a car is a good option for exploring.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
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The striking rock formations of the park are home to a variety of prairie animals such as bison, prairie dogs and golden eagles – all adapted to survive in this harsh environment. There are also vast fossil beds where ancient remnants of sabre-toothed tigers have been found – perfect for aspiring palaeontologists.
Molokai, Hawaii
Say "Hawaii" and it’s likely that the islands of Maui and Oahu are the first you think of. But if it’s a slower pace of life you’re looking for, Molokai is the place to be. Known as the “friendly island”, the Hawaiian way of life has been best preserved here and the locals have remained relatively detached from the tourism that has enveloped their neighbouring islands.
Molokai, Hawaii
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Molokai is said to be the birth of hula, and there are some spectacular beaches to be found here. Pristine Kalaupapa is a must and can only be reached by plane, foot, or, rather unusually, mule. If money is no object, the best way to see the island is by helicopter, enabling you to appreciate the enormity of the world’s tallest sea cliffs.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, & Idaho
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While there is phone service to be found in the majestic beauty of America's first ever national park, it still only covers just over 50% of the more-than two million acre-landscape, so you shouldn’t be overly tempted to whip out your phone. If you are, there are thousands of miles of hikes through breathtaking backcountry to keep you occupied.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, & Idaho
Most of Yellowstone’s highlights can be found on the Grand Loop Road, which is a beautiful 142-mile drive. It’s a park packed full of impressive statistics. Yellowstone is home to over 290 waterfalls, a caldera with over 10,000 thermal features including 300 geysers, large petrified forests, two species of bear, over 2,000 campsites, 1,100 species of plant and the largest lake in north America – Yellowstone Lake.
Of bears & bison: why Yellowstone reminds us of our place on the planet.
Olympic National Park, Washington
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Home to several different ecosystems, water is a definite highlight of this west coast national park. Listen to the crashing waves of Ruby Beach and enjoy the serene stillness of Crescent Lake. Plus, admire the cascading tumble of Sol Duc Falls or the gentle pace of the Hoh River where seals can be spotted, this is a water-lovers paradise.
Olympic National Park, Washington
If you’re looking for an area of spellbinding wilderness where alpine meadows meet the pounded shores of the Pacific, this is the digital detox destination for you. In the bounds of the Olympic National Park, you can spot beavers, sea otters, whales, bears and golden eagles as well as the endemic Olympic marmot and the Olympic torrent salamander.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
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If you really want to get away from it all, Dry Tortugas National Park is the place to go. Found to the west of the Florida Keys, these isolated islands can only be reached by boat or by plane. Its most famous monument is Fort Jefferson on Garden Key, built to protect the US from attack from the Gulf of Mexico, and its clear coral waters offer some fantastic snorkelling.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
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You won’t find any hotels or restaurants on the islands and you can only stay if you’re willing to camp. Even then it’s not particularly straightforward. The Yankee Freedom Ferry is the only way to get there, and takes just 10 campers each way per day. The good news is that if you make the cut, you’re guaranteed a camp spot. There’s no running water and nowhere to resupply, so this really is a back-to-basics experience.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
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While the National Park Service affectionately refers to phone reception in the Kenai Fjords National as “spotty”, this is a pretty generous statement. Once you’re beyond Seward and onto the park’s roads and waterways, you’re unlikely to be able to DM your loved ones. This is an Alaskan wilderness where mountains, ice and ocean meet in a dazzling display. Spire Cove is one of the park’s most famous – and most fascinating – sights.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Nearly 40 glaciers carve their way out of the Harding Icefield both inland and towards the sea, and although you can camp in the park, it's pretty chilly so you'll find a stay in nearby Seward much more comfortable. With the waters of this glacial wilderness teeming with orca, sea otter, dolphin and seal, a cruise or boat tour is a must.
Arches National Park, Utah
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Named for the 2,000-plus arches that cover the park, this is a red-rocked geological landscape unlike any other. Like many of the USA’s national parks, you can only camp within its bounds. If you like the idea of camping more than the reality, nearby Moab Under Canvas is a more luxurious way of experiencing the desert while still feeling disconnected from technology.
Arches Natioanl Park, Utah
It's the sheer size of everything in the Arches National Park that's most surprising. And it’s not just the arches that will dwarf you. There are towering cliffs and huge boulders balanced precariously on soaring pillars. There are also some great view points to enjoy here, including Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden (aka Klondike Bluffs) and The Windows.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The serenity of this beautiful national park, is best enjoyed floating on the slow, gentle waters of the Snake River, far away from any digital gadgets. Grand Teton is just 10 miles south of Yellowstone and is great for outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, mountaineering, and even snowshoeing in the winter.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
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This ancient landscape has barely changed for millennia, with the oldest rocks dated at nearly 2.7 billion years old. Covering 310,00 acres, there are a variety of ecosystems found within the park that offer refuge to an impressive 61 species of mammal including bears, wolves and even mountain lions.
For more on what to expect on a road trip in northern Wyoming, see our guide.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Fringed by the Atlantic and dotted with picturesque islands on the east coast of Maine, the rugged landscapes of this popular national park are the perfect place to lose yourself in nature. There are rock pools to explore, scenic drives to enjoy and a host of outdoor activities on offer, as well as four lighthouses to discover.
Acadia National Park, Maine
The best way to access the more remote areas of the park is by foot on the 120 miles of hiking trails. However, there are plenty of places to stay and Bar Harbor is a pretty little town that’s well worth the visit if the lure of phone reception and civilisation gets too much.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Just 75 miles from the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, this inland national park near the border of West Virginia is all about wide-open spaces. Wood hollows, tumbling falls and towering peaks abound and unlike most national parks, you don’t have to camp. Found along Skyline Drive, Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge and Lewis Mountain Cabins all offer rustic lodge experiences.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The park is renowned for its hiking as well as its many waterfalls. The most popular of these include Rose River, Overall Run, South River and Jones Run falls. Whiteoak Canyon alone has six waterfalls, making it not only a great hiking trail, but a peaceful escape that’s far away from the trappings of modern life.
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
Georgia's southernmost and largest barrier island, Cumberland Island is an undeveloped maritime haven and the best way to see its wide marshes, quiet beaches and small forests is by bike. There are only two ways to stay here. You can either camp or spend a night at the all-inclusive Greyfield Inn – a converted Carnegie mansion. However you decide to stay, it’s worth noting that you can only get to the island by foot ferry.
Rawah Wilderness, Colorado
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Covering small glacial valleys, rolling hills, granite peaks and trout-filled lakes, Rawah Wilderness area in Colorado is unlikely to be somewhere you’ve heard of before – making it the perfect spot for a digital detox. Even the nearby towns of Gould, Walden and Rustic sound a little switched off. A stay in nearby Rawah Ranch is a must if you’re looking for a true Western experience.
Discover 14 other reasons to visit Colorado here.
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Named for the brown bears that call this area home, the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge spans four islands – Kodiak, Ban, Uganik and Afognak. The lush green trees, snow-capped mountains and picturesque tundra are inhabited by only six native mammals – the Kodiak brown bear, red fox, river otter, ermine, tundra vole and the little brown bat. Surrounded by water in the Alaskan wilderness, this is about as remote as you can get.
Amish country, Pennsylvania
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If you find it difficult to give up your favourite devices, head for Amish country. In Lancaster County, you’ll find Amish B&Bs in which you can experience their self-sustainable way of life, totally disconnected from modern technology. Amish Farm Stay is a good place to start your research, but be sure you start looking at least a few months in advance as places book out quickly.
Hudson Valley, New York
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If you want a digital detox but don’t want to venture too far from civilisation, the Hudson Valley metro area in New York state was ranked the worst place in the USA for phone reception in a built-up area in 2017. From Albany to Yonkers, it seems that there are plenty of black holes for reception here, making checking your emails or posting on Facebook quite a challenge.
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