Nine best off-the-grid vacation spots for outdoor adventurers

Moosehead Lake—the state’s largest lake—packs enormous presence: 75,000 acres, with more than 400 miles of shoreline to escape the hustle. It’s also home to more than 80 islands. Stocked with landlocked salmon and brook trout, there’s no shortage of fun on the water. Book an off-grid vacation rental with a boat dock and spend the day cruising the lake’s 40 miles (almost 75,000 acres) of water, fishing, tubing, or kayaking to your heart’s content. The small town of Greenville has “summer paradise” written all over it, with clear skies for stargazing, ice cream stands, and restaurants by the water.

Get back to nature among mist-shrouded peaks and lush forests in the great American wilderness. Spread across 500,000 acres in the Southern Appalachian range, the Smokies is the most visited national park in the United States. Spend your days hiking vast peaks, taking serene jaunts to waterfalls, and driving scenic winding roads amid vivid foliage and historical mills. Whether you’re coming for the hikes, the history, the autumn leaf peeping, or the sound of silence there’s a little something for everyone in the Smokies. When you’re ready for the buzz of city life again, head to the popular Smokie gateway towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Hang out with an off-grid beach vacation at the southernmost point of the continental United States—and don’t forget to grab a photo by the namesake buoy. While the historic downtown area offers restaurants, museums, and a Nature and Butterfly Conservatory, there are secluded beaches and coastal cottages for those who would rather get lost in that boundless blue ocean view. For beaches away from the crowds, stick with Higgs Beach or Fort Zachary Taylor Beach. Leave your phone behind as you charter a dolphin cruise or head out for a day of snorkeling. There’s an entire world to discover under the waves, with bustling coral reefs and colorful fish.

Yellowstone National Park offers breathtaking scenery, characterized by its stunning geothermal features, expansive lakes, and dramatic canyons—perfect for exploring, hiking, and fishing the day away. Iconic attractions include the erupting Old Faithful geyser, the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring, and the majestic Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Major towns surrounding the park, such as Jackson, Wyoming, provide convenient access to vacation rentals ranging from rustic cabins to modern lodges, ideal for travelers seeking an off-grid experience.

Thousands of lakes, sprawling forests, and small-town charm—along the rustic lodges and lakeside private cabins, you’re sure to find the solitude you’re looking for. The Northwoods make an ideal escape for families, couples, and solo travelers—with plenty of outdoor activities to keep kids busy and soothing views to savor alone. Take your pick of 3,200 lakes and over ½ a million acres of public land to explore, Lake of the Falls County Park and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest included.

Known for its rural beauty and open prairie skies, you might be surprised what else South Dakota has in store. Snag an off-grid cabin rental and familiarize yourself with the Black Hills National Forest’s dramatic rock formations or day trip out to Badlands National Park’s otherworldly landscape fossil sites. Hike through Spearfish Canyon and bring a bottle of sarsaparilla for a sweet treat along the way. Between watching the buffalo herds graze at Custer State Park, fishing in tranquil lakes, and trying your hand at gem mining, be sure to stop in for at least one tourist must-see, Deadwood’s preserved Old West.

The Cascade Mountains are a great starter off-grid vacation for someone wanting an in-between of mountain wildlife, with a handful of mellow city attractions (and delicious German cuisine) available nearby in Wenatchee and the alpine village of Leavenworth. The area has an abundance of year-round outdoor activities, from sledding in the fresh-powder snow to floating the Wenatchee River. Steven’s Pass is a popular spot for skiing, and there’s no better après-ski than a soak in Scenic Hot Springs (permit required).

Central Oregon offers a stunning high-desert landscape characterized by volcanic formations and the majestic Cascade Mountains. Travelers seeking an off-grid vacation can explore attractions like the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, where they can hike around lakes and witness breathtaking geological features, including the impressive Paulina Falls. Towns such as Bend, Black Butte, and La Pine serve as gateways to outdoor adventures, providing access to activities like white-water rafting, mountain biking, and fishing, all set against a backdrop of serene natural beauty.

Yosemite National Park is only a half-hour drive from Mammoth Lakes, a small town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite is well known for its towering sequoia trees and roaring waterfalls, but Mammoth Lakes has a unique charm of its own. It’s home to geological wonders like Devils Postpile National Monument and the 101-foot-high Rainbow Falls. Snow or shine, cozy up with a private cabin rental or a ski-in/ski-out chalet while you reconnect with nature.