Off The Grid Adventures You Need To Try
We possess digital tools that enable us to handle our finances and time more efficiently, aid in remembering our grocery lists, and foster a sense of closeness with distant loved ones. Nonetheless, excessive reliance on digital devices can lead to a disconnection from nature, our closest cherished ones, and the environment surrounding us. Engaging in video calls with colleagues in faraway cities like London, Rome, or Dubai can never replicate the experience of personally exploring those destinations.
1. Trekking
Trekking, unlike camping or backpacking, typically entails embarking on a lengthy venture across a vast expanse of land. When necessitated to transport all belongings, it is logical to streamline to only the most essential items. This entails abandoning one’s cell phone, charger, and battery pack.
From Patagonia in Argentina to The Camino de Santiago in Spain, here are some of the best treks in the world. However, it’s important to note that there is minimal service in these areas, which means that most of the information won’t be useful. Nevertheless, here’s a guide on how to embark on one of these treks.
2. Visit A Remote Island
While it is possible to visit a large tourist hotel in Hawaii, the Bahamas, or Mazatlan, there are numerous smaller and remote islands that offer the opportunity for an off-the-grid adventure.
If you prefer, you have the option to travel to a remote island in a far-off distant land; nonetheless, there are also numerous chances to disconnect nearer to your residence. The Cook Islands consist of a series of 9 Islands situated between Hawaii and New Zealand, or if you prefer something even closer, you can explore Lord Howe Island for an unplugged escapade.
3. Try Off The Grid Farming
Many individuals experience a sense of rejuvenation when they reconnect with nature. However, the way in which people connect with nature varies greatly. Certain individuals find delight in burying their toes in the warm sand at the beach, while others derive pleasure from immersing their fingers into the rich, fertile soil.
If feeling the most connected to the earth is achieved by connecting with soil, then off-the-grid farming could potentially serve as the perfect endeavor for you. By immersing oneself in nature and distancing from the virtual realm and social media, it is possible for one’s outlook to be transformed and for their well-being to be enhanced.
In addition to having the opportunity to learn about sustainable farming during your vacation, you may also develop a new hobby to bring home with you. If you and your partner have varying interests, you can even consider engaging in off the grid fruit farming in Hawaii.
4. Eco Tourism
If you’re looking for more than just unplugging and want to truly reconnect with nature, eco-tourism could be the perfect choice for you. Eco-tourist destinations provide opportunities for activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and trekking through untouched jungles. Additionally, they typically offer accommodation in secluded locations where you can detach from technology, rejuvenate, and establish a connection with pristine forests or wild landscapes.
At the Lapa Rios Ecolodge on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, you will find remarkable accommodations that provide the opportunity to be serenaded to sleep by a delightful medley of crickets, cicadas, and kinkajous.
5. Robinsonian Tourism
Croatia has developed a distinctive tourism experience, particularly for those seeking a completely off-the-grid adventure. In Croatia, there are numerous cottages and bungalows available that not only lack internet or TV but also lack basic amenities such as running water or electricity.
6. Chiricahua National Monument Off-Grid Travel Wonderland
Located 120 miles southeast of Tucson, Chiricahua National Monument is truly a hidden gem of the National Park Service. If you’re willing to drive 37 miles from the interstate to the park, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the mountainous wonderland of trees, charismatic wildlife, and the awe-inspiring balanced cliffs and towering summits that make this place so special. Whether by exploring miles of hiking trails or scenic drives by vehicle, be sure to take in all this place has to offer.
Chiricahua National Monument is a great destination for a visit, as it offers numerous activities and attractions that cater to different interests. The moderate climate of the park allows for a range of outdoor activities, such as day hiking, camping, picnicking, taking Historic District tours, observing wildlife and birds, capturing nature through photography, stargazing, and horseback riding. This makes it an ideal off the grid travel spot.
Covering a relatively small area, the visitors centre, campgrounds, and various roadside viewpoints are connected by a winding scenic drive that ascends steeply to Massai Point. From this vantage point, multiple trails lead down into ravines and main rock formations, which cannot be seen from the road. Along the route, the scenic drive mirrors the stream’s path through Bonita Canyon, showcasing several geological features, including organ pipe formations and a sloping rock face divided into multiple pillars. It is worth noting that the cliffs behind the campground are relatively easy to climb and provide excellent views of the Organ Pipes, as well as a distant glimpse of the flat desert in the west.
The cliffs contain the most impressive volcanic summits, and reaching them requires completing a few moderately challenging climbs that start at the conclusion of the scenic drive. A pathway travels along the edge and later passes through Echo Canyon, where you can encounter towering boulders and eroded formations such as the Grotto and Wall Street (a straight, narrow passage), along with numerous shady trees.
7. Gold Butte National Monument
Approximately ten miles southeast of the Nevada community of Mesquite is where you can find the National Monument. Once you go beyond the city limits of Mesquite, there is no service available at the Gold Butte National Monument. When you make an attempt to reach this sandstone wonderland, you will understand why we refer to it as the ultimate off-grid travel in the Southwest.
There are no toilets available, making camping very basic with no official camping area. The trailheads have minimal markings and cell service, if it exists, is very limited. The road to Gold Butte was constructed many years ago and is in very poor condition. It is not unusual to have one or two flat tires while exploring the national monument, so it is important to have a high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle and two spare tires. Additionally, it is necessary to have enough food and water to properly prepare for an emergency.
Gold Butte National Monument offers visitors the opportunity to explore a concentration of national parks in a remote part of southeastern Nevada. As one of America’s newest National Monuments, Gold Butte is known for its striking and rugged red rock landscapes. Visitors can enjoy unique and isolated encounters with nature, admire ancient rock art, and take in breathtaking views of nearby Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Valley of Fire State Park.
Before embarking on your journey, it is advisable to visit Devil’s Throat, a sinkhole also referred to as the 110-foot-deep sinkhole, situated on the outskirts of Gold Butte National Monument. Disguised by sagebrush and yucca plants, this unassuming sinkhole goes unnoticed by many. During your visit, make sure to observe the chain-link fence that encloses this significant abyss.
Resist the urge to leap over the fence for a better view; it serves its purpose of safeguarding visitors from the unstable and perilous ground leading to the sinkhole. Nonetheless, appreciating this unique national monument from a distance still offers an equally captivating sight, especially during sunrise or sunset, yielding remarkable photo opportunities.
8. Big Sur, California, United States
The Pacific Coast Highway along Big Sur is lined with jagged cliffs that are beaten by the surf, resulting in the creation of California’s most unforgettable ocean views between Carmel and the northern tip of San Luis Obispo County. Twice a year, gray whales migrate past this area, and elephant seals can be seen enjoying the sandy shores. Within a six-mile stretch, there is a concentration of luxury hotels, restaurants, and art galleries, which then transitions into state parks filled with redwood trees on both sides.
When considering the Big Sur, it is more of a mindset rather than a specific location on a map. Once the sun sets, the moon and stars become the primary sources of light in the immediate vicinity, unless the summer fog obscures them. The untamed beauty and immense strength of the ocean perfectly reflect the unique landscape between the Santa Lucia Range and the Pacific Ocean, while the initial view of the rugged and untouched coastline becomes a memorable moment.
