Baxter State Park, Maine
Baxter doesn’t mess around with the backcountry feel. No cell service, no hookups, and limited vehicle access in many areas. You’re out there—and that’s the point.
Some sites require hiking in, others can be reached by unpaved roads, but all offer serious solitude. If you’re looking to unplug, this is one of the best places to do it.
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
Big Bend Ranch gives you a taste of remote desert camping with wide-open skies and total quiet. Most sites are primitive, scattered across rugged terrain far from pavement.
You’ll want a high-clearance vehicle and good planning, but the reward is true off-grid isolation. No hookups, no crowds—just miles of raw landscape.
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
Cherry Springs is known for stargazing, and for good reason. This place goes completely dark at night—no lights, no distractions, just sky.
Primitive campsites and quiet surroundings make it ideal if you want to get away without hiking miles into the woods. And the lack of signal? That’s part of the experience.
Lost Creek State Park, Montana
Nestled in the mountains with a rugged road leading in, Lost Creek is small but wild. No electric, no water hookups, and no cell service—just the basics.
What it lacks in amenities, it makes up for in quiet. You’ll hear more elk bugles than phone rings out here, and that’s exactly what makes it great.
Adirondack Park (Backcountry Zones), New York
Adirondack Park isn’t a typical “state park,” but it includes tons of public land with designated primitive sites. Some spots are hike-in only, and cell coverage is spotty at best.
If you want to paddle, hike, or bushwhack into camp and stay off-grid for days, there’s no shortage of options here. Bring a map and go explore.
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Custer has more developed areas, but head out to the French Creek Natural Area and it’s a whole different story. You’ll be hiking in, setting up away from roads, and leaving all the noise behind.
No facilities, no cell signal—just you, your gear, and the sound of wind through the pines. It’s a real break from the buzz.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
The main campground has some comforts, but check out the BLM-managed sites just outside the park boundary. They’re primitive, quiet, and miles from anything resembling busy.
You’ll need to pack in water and haul out trash, but the views and stillness make it more than worth it. It’s high desert camping at its best.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula doesn’t get enough credit for its backcountry, and the “Porkies” deliver the full experience. Remote cabins and hike-in sites put you deep in the woods.
There’s no cell service, and access is by trail only in many areas. If you want to disappear for a few days, this is a solid place to do it.
Green Ridge State Forest, Maryland
Green Ridge might be less famous, but it’s one of the best off-grid camping spots in the Mid-Atlantic. The primitive sites are scattered through dense forest with minimal development.
There are no hookups, no showers, and no service. Just dirt roads, fire rings, and whatever you packed. It’s simple, cheap, and refreshingly quiet.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Anza-Borrego allows dispersed camping in much of the park, meaning you can pull off the road and set up almost anywhere that’s legal. The result? A true off-grid feel.
No restrooms, no water, and definitely no Wi-Fi. It’s just you, open desert, and more stars than you’ll know what to do with.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
