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

Every wrangler brings a unique story to the saddle. KP, our Director of Horse Operations, shares his special connection to the centuries-old Paniolo tradition of Hawai‘i – a heritage defined by patience, respect, and deep partnership with the horse. His roots run through the red dirt of the islands and the open ranges of the American West, blending two cultures that honor the quiet wisdom of the horse.

“When you’re able to feel your horse, they can feel you in the same way—both physically and spiritually.” 

The Paniolo tradition in Hawai‘i dates back centuries. What values or practices from that heritage do you carry with you in your work today?

Ho‘o ponopono means “to make what is wrong right again.” I bring that philosophy into my horsemanship every day—not just from the human perspective, but from the horse’s point of view as well. Horses don’t lie; what you see is what you get. Many carry “baggage” from past experiences, and part of my role is to help them release it. I try to let each horse tell me their story, and from that moment on, the process of ho‘o pono pono begins—helping reshape and heal the horse through understanding and patience.

Ha‘ola, the “breath of life,” reminds me that every living being carries value and energy. There’s a physical and spiritual awareness to this; an understanding that harmony exists when both horse and rider can feel one another. When that connection happens, training becomes more than mechanics. It becomes a shared rhythm, grounded in respect and trust.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve also come to deeply appreciate the classical vaquero style of riding and training. It was the vaqueros who first came to Hawai‘i to teach the Hawaiians how to cowboy, which is a legacy that continues to guide me in my own horsemanship journey.

How does the Paniolo way of working with horses and cattle compare to what we see in the American West, and how do you bring those influences together here at Vista Verde Ranch?

The Paniolo and Western traditions share a deep respect for the horse, but the paniolo style often reflects the old vaquero way; slow, steady, and patient. It’s about giving the horse time to learn, to understand pressure and release, and to discover the right answer on their own. At Vista Verde, I blend that Hawaiian patience and mindfulness with the practical skills and traditions of the American West, which I like to think creates a bridge between cultures that honors both ways of life.

What lessons from Paniolo horsemanship do you think resonate most with guests when they’re riding or working with horses at the Ranch?

Ho‘o ponopono—the practice of making things right—is one of the most meaningful lessons guests take away. Horses, like people, make mistakes, but holding a grudge doesn’t serve anyone. Every ride is an opportunity to start fresh, to listen, and to build trust. That mindset transforms not only how we ride, but how we approach relationships in everyday life.

In leading the horse program, how do you weave your paniolo background into the guest experience so they feel a sense of that history and culture?

Storytelling is a huge part of my horsemanship. My father was a wonderful storyteller, and I learned that stories carry wisdom in a way that instruction alone can’t. Whether I’m talking about a lesson learned from a horse or sharing an old paniolo tale, those stories help guests connect more deeply with the horses, with the culture, and with themselves.

What excites you most about sharing your Paniolo roots with guests in Colorado, and how does it deepen the unique character of Vista Verde Ranch?

For me, it’s the connection between what I do here and what I grew up doing as a young Paniolo. Every day with horses is a chance to learn about them and about ourselves. Being able to share that philosophy with guests, to help them find both joy and growth through horsemanship, is what excites me most. It’s part of what makes Vista Verde so special. It’s a place where tradition and learning come together in the saddle.

At Vista Verde, horsemanship is more than skill; it’s a story passed from hand to hand, rein to rein. Whether it’s through the rhythm of the ride or the quiet wisdom of a horse, our guests can discover that the lessons of the Paniolo live in the heart of Colorado’s high country. Learn more about the history and preservation of the Paniolo traditions here. 

Imagine an afternoon full of laughter, smiles, and a little bit of family-fun chaos. A snapshot in time where parents are nothing but proud of their child’s achievements, confidence and courage for trying something new. The Kids’ Rodeo is an experience that every kid should have the opportunity to experience.

Why? Well, it first brings so much joy and excitement when they get to do the activities that cowboys and cowgirls do daily.

What is it that they actually do? Well, there’s barrel racing, cow pinning, tug of war, water balloon toss, relay races, and of course, getting pied in the face. After doing all the fun rodeo activities, kiddos get to jump into our freshwater pond for a quick swim to clean up before dinner time. Ranch life at its finest.

The Kids Rodeo is held once a week on Thursday and parents get to spend the later afternoon watching their little ones show off what they have learned during the week. This is the day where young ones show what they know how to do in their saddles. They get the true cowboy experience. And while they might not be a true-to-life cowboy back at home, they will never forget the cowboy experience that they had Vista Verde Ranch.