9 places in Arizona to unplug, unwind, & digitally detox
Modern problems make for modern solutions. With most of us spending all day on one screen or another, it’s time for one of these digital detox retreats in Arizona.
Blue light lenses can certainly help ease some of the eye strain from staring at a screen all day, but they are a newer band-aid for a lifestyle that has been developing since the 90s. It is virtually impossible to live in the modern age without encountering at least one screen—oftentimes many—daily. For instance, my house currently has one kid on a tablet, one kid playing Minecraft, my Mom watching TV, and me typing on a computer while my husband is texting his boss! Life revolves around screens for the average American; it’s simply inescapable.
Despite the average lifestyle, studies have repeatedly shown that all the screen time messes with both eye health and circadian rhythm, which in turn alters sleep, mood, and overall mental well-being. That’s why more and more people are opting for week-long camping trips with minimal technology use, no-cell zone vacations, and, as of late, digital detox retreats.
A digital detox retreat is exactly as it sounds—a retreat with minimal to no screen exposure. Instead, the focus is on nature, mindfulness, connection, physical activity, or anything else that civilization partook in up until the 90s (before every house was commonly connected to the World Wide Web). There are several resorts in Arizona that are perfect for a digital detox. Some are structured around helping attendees avoid technology, some offer support upon request, and others just have little to no service, perfect for an independent attempt.
Whether you want to take a break for physical, mental, or spiritual health, or simply want to experience a retro 90s-style vacation, it is time to take a digital detox. No need to bring your phone charger.
Here are 9 places in Arizona perfect for a digital detox retreat
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa is an adults-only resort tucked into the Santa Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona. It offers hiking, cuisine, a spa, wellness packages, yoga, meditation, and more. It also offers all-inclusive packages starting at around $1,500/night, including all amenities. The general manager, Mark Stebbings, explains that “here, we trade the rush for rhythm, noise for stillness, and scrolling for presence. And in that presence, something shifts. We remember who we are, what matters, and how it feels just to be.” The focus on mindfulness and presence makes this the perfect place to digitally detox.
Castle Hot Springs
Castle Hot Springs is a high-end resort complete with fine dining, curated excursions, and exclusive hot springs. The price tag to stay here is also on the high end, but the resort offers many amenities, activities, and advice to support a true digital detox. Plus, it is in Morristown, tucked away north of Scottsdale and far enough away to make for perfect intentional isolation. While you are here, try out one of the Winter Wellness Packages, which are “designed to help guests restore and realign with the rhythms of nature–centered not on optimization, but regulation of the body’s internal ‘computer’ to reset equilibrium.” Most rooms start around $2k nightly, with minimum stays required, though the nightly price often includes so much more than luxurious sleeping quarters.
Savannah Hermitage
Savannah Hermitage is “a solo retreat space inspired by meditation, qigong, yoga, and solitude in nature.” Intended for practitioners of meditation, qigong, and yoga who wish to strengthen their practice in peaceful solitude, this retreat space offers prices starting at $100 for three nights. If you are a practitioner looking to lead a digital detox retreat, you are allowed up to two guests. The application process is selective, but this is an excellent place to strengthen your inner peace away from screens.
CIVANA Spa, Resort & Sanctuary
CIVANA Spa, Resort, & Sanctuary is an all-inclusive resort focused on wellness. With the ability to curate a retreat that matches your personal needs, this sanctuary is the perfect place to find balance away from the digital world, with plenty of activities, a spa, health-conscious cuisine, scenery, and comfort to keep you preoccupied. This can be done solo, with a loved one, or as a group for a group-curated retreat. All-inclusive packages, which include food, a spa treatment, a room, and daily wellness activities, begin at around $1,000 per person nightly, depending on the season and day.
Under Canvas Grand Canyon
Located a short drive from the South Rim, Under Canvas Grand Canyon is a seasonal glamping experience that allows guests to stargaze, dine, drink coffee, and enjoy the serene peace of a 160-acre forest of juniper and pine. Though not technically a dedicated space to digital detox, the spotty service mixed with the serene setting paves the way to just exist, sleep, and wake with the cycle of the sun. Noted as a top hotel by multiple travel magazines, it is a welcome surprise that accommodations start for less than $200 nightly.
Sedona Soul Adventures
Sedona has long been a destination to get in touch with body, mind, and spirit, as that is the overall essence of the town. Sedona Soul Adventures is the perfect way to develop a custom retreat in this spiritual town, inclusive of digital detox and anything else you may need to restore balance. Start with a free consultation to discuss your needs, and one of the live agents will build a retreat package custom for you. Prices vary and do include an agent fee.
Desert Oasis Campgrounds
Imagine a magical place in Southern Arizona between Bisbee and Sierra Vista, and you will find yourself at Desert Oasis Campgrounds in McNeal. For a nominal fee, you can set up a tent, bring your RV, or rent a quaint one-room cabin—with no TV. The grounds include native plants, native critters, bright stars, and a large games room where you can connect with your loved ones or even strangers over some good old-fashioned fun. Better yet, the surrounding area is full of scenic drives, good food, and plenty to keep you entertained without ever needing your phone.
Patagonia Lake State Park
Go fishing, swimming, hiking, birding, and more when you stay at or around Patagonia Lake State Park. With a hummingbird sanctuary, a stunning lake, trails for riding bikes or hiking, and the temperate weather of Southern Arizona, Patagonia is the perfect place to get away from the buzz of technology. If you don’t trust the freedom of doing it on your own, stay on the East side of the park, where service is notoriously spotty and therefore not accessible. Camping accommodations start at only $20.
El Dorado Hot Springs
Just east of Phoenix is a stunning oasis awaiting you to book an overnight to soak and stargaze. Seasonal, El Dorado Hot Springs is a facility with limited accommodations, making it the perfect place to unplug, unwind, and ease away any tensions. Located on Indian School Road in Tonopah, this facility accepts reservations by phone. Act quickly, though, as it books out fast and far in advance.
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