5 Best Silent Travel Destinations in the U.S. for Quiet Retreats & Wellness Escapes
Tired of the hustle and bustle? Discover five top-rated silent travel destinations across the U.S. where you can unplug, unwind and dive into meaningful quiet retreats that nourish your mind and spirit.
Photo Credit: Courtesy/ Internationista
Sometimes, it’s just nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you live in a fast-paced, high-stimulus environment, consider the rising trend of silent travel. More and more people are turning to quiet retreats as a way to unplug, reset and prioritize wellness over Wi-Fi. It’s almost as calming as drinking afternoon tea at a luxury hotel.
Whether you're craving deep silence in a rainforest, stillness in the desert or a mindful weekend in the mountains, these escapes are all about tranquility. Silent travel isn’t just a trend—it’s a response to burnout, stress and the constant noise of modern life.
Luckily, we've done the research and are sharing five incredible destinations in the United States where you can fully embrace peace and quiet. Each one is unique—and we’ll tell you what it’s best for, whether that’s mindful hiking, meditation or simply breathing without distraction.
Ready to tune into your inner zen? Let’s go.
1. Olympic National Park – Washington
Photo Credit: Alex Moliski
Best for: Nature lovers, solo wanderers and deep thinkers needing stillness.
Looking for silent travel that’s truly off the grid? Olympic National Park is one of the best places in the U.S. for a noise-free vacation. The Hoh Rainforest is home to the famed One Square Inch of Silence—a tiny spot representing the quietest natural soundscape in North America.
Hike among moss-draped trees, listen to your breath and unplug completely (no cell service here!). This is mindful travel in its rawest, most beautiful form.
2. Sedona – Arizona
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Best for: Wellness seekers, spiritual travelers and couples craving a reconnection—with each other and with nature.
Sedona’s stunning red rock formations aren’t just Instagram-worthy—they’re powerful energy centers perfect for quiet retreats. This spiritual hotspot is filled with vortexes, meditation spots and silent retreat centers like Sedona Mago.
Wake up to sunrise yoga, hike in silence and tune into something deeper than Wi-Fi. It’s silent travel with soul.
3. Insight Meditation Society – Barre, Massachusetts
Photo Credit: David Kanigan (Nantucket, MA)
Best for: Anyone ready to disconnect to reconnect—first-timers and seasoned meditators alike.
If you’re ready to experience the real meaning of mindful travel, this is your place. The Insight Meditation Society (IMS) offers structured, immersive silent retreats that range from weekends to multi-week journeys.
It’s completely silent—no talking, no texting, no social media. Just your mind, breath and a community of others doing the same. It’s challenging, but also deeply healing. According to one Google reviewer, “being on an extended meditation retreat can be one of the transformational experiences of a lifetime and IMS has been doing them for over 40 years!”
4. Garrison Institute – Hudson Valley, New York
Photo Credit: Marta Wave
Best for: Artists, thinkers and overworked city dwellers in need of a quiet reset.
Escape the noise of NYC in just 90 minutes with this peaceful gem in the Hudson Valley. Set in a former monastery, Garrison Institute offers quiet retreats rooted in meditation, creativity and spiritual reflection. With forest trails, river views and guided silence, it’s a perfect weekend getaway for noise-free vacations—without hopping on a plane. One Google reviewer described the institute as “a majestic meditative institute for contemplation and connection with nature.”
5. Zion National Park Backcountry – Utah
Photo Credit: Alex Moliski
Best for: Solo hikers, minimalists and stargazers looking for deep solitude.
For adventurous souls craving silent travel, Zion’s backcountry delivers. Beyond the crowds of Angels Landing, explore remote canyons like Kolob Arch or The Subway, where you may not hear a single human voice all day.
Backpack, camp under the stars and immerse yourself in complete quiet. This is the kind of noise-free vacation that recalibrates your brain and reminds you how good silence feels.