Digital Detox in the Catskills: How to Unplug and Actually Enjoy It

In today’s world, it’s almost a reflex — wake up, check your phone. Waiting for your coffee? Scroll. Sitting in a meadow surrounded by mountains? Snap, post, refresh. The truth is, we’re so connected that sometimes we forget how to truly connect — to each other, to nature, and to ourselves.

That’s where the Catskills (and a stay at Beaverkill Valley Inn) come in.

Photo by Walter Hodges

Nestled deep in a quiet valley, far from traffic noise and cell towers, our little slice of the world was practically made for a digital detox. Here’s how to unplug — and actually enjoy it.

1. Set the Ground Rules Before You Arrive

Before you pull into our driveway, make a pact with yourself (or your travel companions) to cut down on screen time. Turn off notifications. Better yet, put your phone on airplane mode. Let friends and coworkers know you’ll be off the grid — you might be surprised how freeing it feels to give yourself permission to vanish for a while.

2. Replace Screens with Scenes

Photo by Walte Hodges - A hike at Beaverkill Valley Inn

Instead of starting your morning by thumbing through emails, step outside and watch the mist roll over the meadow. Swap Netflix for the slow drama of a trout rising in the river. Let your entertainment be the light shifting through the pines, the crunch of leaves underfoot, or the flicker of a fire in the hearth.

3. Find Joy in Analog

Bring a book (one made of paper, remember those?). Pack a sketchpad, knitting needles, or a deck of cards. Here, conversations happen over a game of pool, a hike through golden autumn trails, or while sipping bourbon in the lounge. It’s the kind of downtime that fills you up instead of burning you out.

4. Let Nature Reset Your Pace

Hike up to the Falls and feel the cool spray on your face. Follow the river and listen to its steady rhythm. Paddle a kayak or simply sit by the water’s edge and let time blur. The Catskills have a way of quieting the mental chatter that’s constantly fed by screens.

5. Make it a Ritual

Photo Walter Hodges

The best part? You don’t need to save a digital detox for vacation. Once you’ve felt what a few screen-free days can do, you can make it part of your regular life — maybe a phone-free morning once a week, or an unplugged Sunday dinner.

At Beaverkill Valley Inn, we believe that time away from your devices is time spent reconnecting with what matters — nature, loved ones, and yourself. So, next time you visit, try a digital detox. The emails will wait. The notifications will keep. And you just might remember what it’s like to feel fully present in the moment.

Ready to unplug? We’ll have the fire going.