Going Off-Grid in Our Winnebago for an RVing Digital Detox

Going Off-Grid in Our Winnebago for an RVing Digital Detox
Planning a family camping trip around good, old-fashioned summer fun!

By: Dom Carson

We don’t always go camping to “get away.” Sometimes we go to unplug. Literally.

There’s something kind of radical these days about driving out of cell service on purpose. But that’s exactly what we do when we pack up our Winnebago Micro Minnie, grab the dog and the fishing rods, pack the fridge full of good food, and head off the grid for a few days of no notifications, no screens, and no distractions.

We call it our “digital detox camping trip,” but really, it’s just how summer used to be. And it’s the kind of summer we’re trying to give our little girl—one filled with muddy toes, sun-faded lifejackets, late-night campfire stories, and the kind of boredom that sparks real imagination.

Why We Choose No Cell Service When RV Camping

We live in a world that is always on. Our phones light up constantly. Emails pile up. Social media feeds scroll on forever. And while that digital connection can be helpful in a lot of ways, it’s also overwhelming. My husband and I are both entrepreneurs, and we do a lot of work on our phones. It can just be constant, from the moment we wake up to the last thing we see before bed, and we don’t love that. 

That’s why we started carving out space for trips that are fully unplugged. We look for spots with zero cell reception, those tucked-away campgrounds and remote lakes where your phone is just there for snapping candid moments that become some of the best memories. 

The pace slows, the stress fades, and we remember what it’s like to simply be present … with each other, with nature, and with the rhythm of the day. If I’m being honest, true presence in a moment is something that is so rare these days. 

How We Spend Our Digital Detox RV Camping Trips

With nothing to occupy us, our days revolve around simple pleasures and good, old-fashioned summer fun. Here’s what a typical off-grid day looks like for us:

• Cooking together: One of our favorite parts of camping is actually slowing down enough to cook real meals. In our Winnebago kitchen, over the campfire, or on our outdoor burners, we’ll whip up pancakes with fresh blueberries in the morning or build burgers with roasted corn and campfire potatoes for dinner. Our daughter loves getting a say in what camp meals we should make for each trip and helping with all the prep and cooking.
• Paddling adventures: We always try to camp near a lake or river so we can bring along the canoe or kayaks. Some days we go for long, peaceful paddles as a family, gliding next to the lilies and watching loons dive. Other times, we’ll take turns so one of us can go for a solo paddle while the other chills with our daughter on the beach.
• Swimming and shoreline exploring: Nothing beats the kind of beach day where you don’t have anywhere else to be. We’ll splash in the shallows, skim rocks across the surface, dig moats in the sand, and hunt for cool rocks and driftwood treasures.
• Fishing just for fun: Our daughter loveesss fishing. We bring simple rods and see what we can catch … maybe a fish, definitely a lot of weeds, but always some lasting memories. 
• Reading outside: We each bring a few books, and it’s become a tradition to spend part of the evening in our camp chairs, reading quietly side by side. There’s something so nostalgic about reading in the shade with a little breeze. 
• Wandering and doing nothing: We walk without destination as we explore trails, flip rocks, and build things with sticks. It is great to just be outside for no reason other than it feels good. This is honestly the most underrated part of camping … just letting the day be quiet.
• Campfire nights: When the sun goes down, the fire comes on. We roast marshmallows, play card games by lantern light, and tell stories. We’ve even started journaling as a family, just a few lines each about our favorite parts of the day. It’s amazing how much there is to say when you’ve truly lived the day.

The 90s Summer We’re Trying to Recreate

We talk often about how different summer felt growing up. People didn’t really have cell phones yet. No one was checking Instagram on a camping trip. You entertained yourself with whatever you could find: pinecones, a deck of cards, your imagination.

We’re not anti-technology (obviously, we live normal lives and, like I mentioned, our work very much depends on it). But we are intentional about giving our daughter some of that freedom we had. Letting her get bored. Letting her figure out how to make fun, not just consume it.

When she’s out there with tangled hair and muddy knees, making friends with neighboring campers, carrying a bucket of rocks like it is treasure, we know we’re doing something right.

Read more tips for RVing with a toddler.

Why our Winnebago Micro Minnie Makes Unplugging Easier

Having our Winnebago with us makes this kind of trip not only possible, but comfortable. We’ve got everything we need: a cozy bed to crash in at night, a fridge to keep the watermelon cold, and just enough storage to bring all our gear without feeling cluttered.

We’ve found that the more we simplify, the better the trip is. Our Winnebago gives us that sweet spot between freedom and function. It’s also helpful for keeping things organized. We’ve got a spot for all the toys, books, games, and gear. Everything has its place, which makes it easy to roll in, set up, and start living. 

Our fave part these days? The shower to wash allll the sand off our girl at the end of every day. 

Our Camping Digital Detox Takeaways

The best part of these off-grid weekends? The afterglow. When we get home, we all feel calmer, a little more patient, and a little less attached to our phones. The habits we build out there, cooking together, slowing down, and actually talking, tend to stick around for a few days.

It’s also a good reminder of how little we actually need to have a good time. No streaming subscriptions. No packed itineraries. Just time, space, and a place to be together.

We know we’ll go back to real life eventually, with schedules and emails and the sort. But we also know how to step out of it. To reclaim a few days at a time to reconnect with nature, each other, and ourselves.

And we’ll keep doing it again and again. For the memories. For our sanity. For that 90s-kid summer magic.

A Few Tips If You’re Thinking About an RVing Digital Detox

If you’re curious about doing a digital detox trip in your trailer or motorhome, here’s what’s worked for us:

• Pick your spot intentionally. Look for areas without reception. Provincial parks, forestry recreation sites, or lesser-used campgrounds are great.
• Plan your food ahead. Since you won’t be Googling recipes, having a meal plan makes things easier. We like prepping some things at home (marinated meats, pre-chopped veggies). We have a folder full of our fave recipes printed off that we always bring. 
• Bring the simple entertainment. Books, cards, simple outdoor toys, sketchbooks, and a camera are our go-to items.
• Set expectations. Let anyone who needs to know that you’ll be out of touch. Then commit to it, don’t drive into town just to check your phone.
• Let the downtime happen. It’s okay if there are moments of “what do we do now?” That’s the space where the best stuff happens.

We didn’t start this kind of camping to make a statement or escape society. We just needed a break, and found something that’s become a bit of a ritual – a reset. A reminder that the best summer days aren’t always the ones you share online.

Sometimes the best moments are the ones no one else even knows about.