By: Andrea E. McHugh
Have you ever found yourself so attached to your devices that you know it’s time for a digital detox? You’re not alone. If you’re looking for a technology time out, there’s no better place to digitally disconnect than at a campground surrounded by nature. We discovered five fantastic campgrounds that will recharge your batteries – figuratively speaking.
Advertiser’s Disclosure: This article is provided by a Broadry content partner. If you click on a link in this article, we may also earn a commission.
Less than 15 minutes from the breathtaking Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park, where Giant Sequoia trees seem to stretch as high as the heavens, Yosemite Lakes RV Resort is as peaceful as it is popular. As Mother Nature’s canvas here is better than any screen saver, it’s simple to unplug in this historic and authentic Gold Rush-era town. The South Fork of the Tuolumne River runs through this 400-acre preserve, making for an outdoor adventurist’s paradise. Swim and fish on site, or take it to the next level at nearby Lake Don Pedro, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Foothills (also ideal for boating and water skiing). Don’t be a square and instead, stay “in-the-round” in a yurt, where camping feels a bit more like zen glamping. Namaste. The resort’s River Yurts sleep five people and are in high demand as the water views are unparalleled – and you can literally pan for gold in the shallow parts of the Tuolumne, just outside your door.
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort
Trade counting likes and posting comments for unwinding in a poolside cabana or mastering the art of making the perfect s’more around the fire pit at Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort in Willis, Texas. Take to the 22,000-acre lake and explore via paddle boat, kayak or canoe as they’re all at your fingertips and available for rent. Have your own vessel? The resort features a newly upgraded marina and a boat ramp. Families can bike and hike on trails, enjoy a friendly game of shuffleboard, tennis, pickleball or volleyball, or strut their stuff on the mini-golf greens. When it’s time to relax, the campground has dozens of adorable log cabin rentals available that sleep four to six. All cabins here offer creature comforts ranging including microwave, coffee maker, towels and linens, plus air conditioning/heat and, wait for it: satellite TV. (There’s only so much unplugging one can do.)
Sure, there’s free wi-fi, but Marina Dunes RV Resort on the California coast invites you to disconnect with devices and reconnect with the great outdoors. Ten minutes north of legendary Monterey Bay, this campground on a dunes preserve is a short walk to miles of unspoiled beachfront with nothing but the Pacific as far as the eye can see. The part-paved, part-sand strewn paths at Fort Ord Dunes State Park are navigable for novices and the new boardwalk leads to a bluff top viewing platform offering 360-degree azure views. Once you return to camp, a playful, fireside game of horseshoes is in order, or the kids can expend their end-of-day energy at the playground. The glamping tents at the resort almost make you forget you’re camping altogether with the queen size bed, bedside tables and lamps, electric heaters, all on an elevated platform with rocking chairs, illuminated by string lights and the moon. You’ll likely still take pics for the ‘gram, but maybe wait to post them since you’re finally learning a healthy life/tech balance.
Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort
Nestled in the heart of Arizona wine country, Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort is uniquely positioned above the heat of the desert and below the cooler temperatures of surrounding mountains – a unique and idyllic viticulture for grape growing. This also means whether you’re recreating or relaxing, you’re in luck. Head to Old Town Cottonwood, the Gateway to the Verde River, and pick up the 1.6-mile Jail Trail, a lightly trafficked riverwalk loop through a dense riparian forest. Up for something more heart-pounding? Strap in and hold on tight as you unleash your inner adventurer on a desert Jeep tour where you’ll see colorful canyons and ancient cliff dwellings, then head back to the resort and settle into one of the tiny house rentals here. These cozy petite retreats, dubbed “Finn” and “Rose,” are just over 200-square-fee but boast everything you need for a comfortable and unique stay.
Set on 69 sun-kissed acres, Tropical Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, has a buzzing events calendar with s’mores nights, live music, a craft center, and plenty of poolside fun – and that’s only if you’re taking a break from the magical theme parks that are just minutes away (and that you can buy tickets for right on site). In a palette of pastels and packed with charm, the vacation cottages here feature a private deck (ideal real estate for sunrises and sunsets!), a full kitchen, flat-screen TV, sleeper sofa, and there are a variety of floor plans to accommodate any size group. Even your best four-legged friend is welcome here! Make the resort your home base as you head to experience all that this part of Central Florida is known for – including nostalgic Old Town, an amusement park featuring old-time carnival rides – which is within walking distance. Or, unplug at the resort pool, dine at the café or ignite your competitive spirit playing shuffleboard, bocce ball or horseshoes. Game on!