Interest in unplugged travel has grown steadily in recent years. We’ve observed that first-hand on the Ranch, but recent studies suggest that roughly one in four travelers are trying to disconnect more on vacation, and about 15 to 20 percent actively seek experiences that limit screen use. Families, in particular, are driving this shift.

The Rise in Screen Free Travel

Parents are increasingly aware of how much time their children spend on screens and are looking for opportunities to reset. Vacations are inherently designed for people to step away from daily routines, try something different, and gain a fresh perspective. More and more, families are choosing destinations where screens are not the center of the experience.

Nature based travel, horse retreats, and destinations like dude ranches in Colorado have all seen increased interest. These rustic environments make it easier to unplug because they offer something more exciting to focus on. A luxury dude ranch setting allows families to step into a fully immersive and comfortable experience without the distractions of regular life.

Why Families Are Seeking to Unplug

A Desire for Real Connection

Families often return from traditional vacations realizing they spent much of the time side by side but not truly together. Phones, tablets, and televisions can quietly pull attention away from shared moments. Research shows that over 80 percent of families say travel helps them feel more connected with each other.

It’s not a surprise that screen free settings create space for conversation, laughter, and presence. Whether it is around a table at our dude ranch or out on the trail, families have a better chance to engage with each other in a more meaningful way when phones aren’t around.

Reducing Digital Fatigue

Both parents and children are feeling the effects of constant connectivity. Notifications, social media, and endless content can leave people, young and old, feeling overstimulated and distracted. Surveys indicate that more than half of adults are actively trying to reduce their screen time, reflecting a broader sense of digital fatigue. It’s true. Kids are not as eager to reduce their screen time, but if you really ask them, sometimes they’ll admit they are looking for a reprieve from their devices, and healthy adult modeling has a huge influence on teens as they graduate into adulthood.

Stepping away from screens, even for a few days, can feel like a reset. Many of our guests describe a sense of calm that sets in quickly once on the Ranch. At an all inclusive guest ranch, the structure of the day makes it way easier to truly disconnect.

Creating Lasting Memories

Travel experiences that require full attention tend to be the ones that stay with us. Riding a horse for the first time, spotting wildlife, or learning a new skill becomes far more memorable when it is not filtered through a screen.

Families are increasingly prioritizing these kinds of experiences over passive entertainment. Activities like horseback riding and hiking naturally bring families together in a way that feels active, fun, and memorable.

What a Screen Free Vacation Looks Like at Vista Verde

On the Ranch, unplugging happens naturally. As an authentic Colorado ranch experience, the focus is on connection, in nature, and with each other. While guests are welcome to stay connected via WIFI if needed, the rhythm of an all-inclusive dude ranch encourages a different pace.

Mornings begin with a beautiful, hearty ranch breakfast, which might be followed by a horseback ride through open meadows full of wildflowers or a guided hike in the mountains. Afternoons offer opportunities for fly fishing, mountain biking, or simply relaxing on a quiet porch. Evenings bring everyone together for shared gourmet meals, conversation, and time together under a wide-open Colorado sky.

Children quickly find themselves immersed in outdoor activities and newly forged friendships. Without the usual digital distractions, they engage more fully with their surroundings and with each other. Parents often comment that conversations seem to flow more easily and that time together feels richer when they are here on the Ranch.

The Benefits Families Take Home

The impact of a screen-free vacation often extends well beyond the trip itself. Families leave with stronger connections and shared memories that continue to shape their relationships. Many return home with a new perspective on how technology plays a role in their daily lives.

Experiences at a dude ranch often serve as a reset. Even small changes, like setting aside device-free time or prioritizing outdoor activities each day, can extend the benefits of the Vista Verde experience.

Is a Screen Free Vacation Right for Your Family

Vacationing in the western United States is at the top of the list for locals and visitors alike, and there are plenty of ways to save on your next trip. One standout option? All-inclusive resorts, which typically provide one rate for unlimited food and beverages, hotel amenities, and onsite activities—aka, you pay for everything upfront and only have to focus on having fun and relaxing, without worrying about hidden costs.

The term all-inclusive resort used to mean sandy beaches and a passport required. But more and more US resorts are offering all-inclusive packages. Of course, dude ranches are the original US based all-inclusive vacation, so we are glad that Vista Verde was included in this list of the best all-inclusive resorts in America, along with a few other luxury dude ranches.

Let’s talk about teens! They can be tricky to please but they can also be the ultimate adventure buddies. We allow teens to do activities like adults or join the teen program to connect with other kids their age. We’re so happy that U.S. News included us on this round-up and gave a little attention to teens.

There are more and more reasons to vacation domestically! We are thrilled to be included on this list of all-inclusive resort all over the US. From beaches, mountains, the south, the north, the east and west. There is surely something for everyone!

If you’re seeking a vacation within the U.S. where all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride, there are multiple excellent options. We are thrilled to be featured amongst some of those excellent vacation options from dog sledding under the Northern Lights to an old-school summer camp-esque experience in Minnesota!

While we don’t promote Vista Verde Ranch as a destination just for fishing, we have found it to be a pretty perfect spot for folks who want to include guided fishing on their vacation while also appealing to the interests of other members of their party. So we were thrilled to be a part of this listing of fishing resorts in the US, and look forward to a summer filled with great moments on the rivers.

Following her visit to Vista Verde in March for a winter getaway, Kristen Kucharski shared her experience with the readers of Glancer Magazine. From snowmobiling to skiing and horseback riding to wine tasting she tried it all!

There are more and more reasons to vacation domestically! We are thrilled to be included on this list of all-inclusive resort all over the US. From beaches, mountains, the south, the north, the east and west. There is surely something for everyone!

In a world where so many spend their waking hours plugged in and always connected, having a digital detox vacation is just what most people need. Unplugging from the news cycle, the emails, and the alerts allows space for plugging into nature, beautiful surroundings, and giving relationships the full attention they deserve. For some the quiet and calm can be deafening, until their minds adjust and they begin to hear that still, small voice in their head that reminds them of what is really important. At Absolute Magazine the need for this type of vacation experience is recognized in this article about Digital Detox Vacations. Start your escape as you