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
Choosing to unplug does not mean giving something up. For many families, it means gaining something far more valuable. A screen free family vacation offers the chance to be present, to connect, and to experience the natural world in a more direct way. It is not about eliminating technology entirely, but about creating space for what matters most. At Vista Verde, we are proud that that space comes naturally.
Author Bio
Erin Brosterhous leads the marketing efforts at Vista Verde Ranch and brings more than 20 years of experience working with creative teams in the hospitality, outdoor, and travel industries. A fourth-generation Colorado native, Erin is passionate about sharing stories of outdoor adventure, authentic ranch experiences, and mountain living all the while raising her husband and two kids in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.