Working Remotely but Want to Get Away? Try These Family-Friendly Destinations for a Productive Vacation
These destinations will make passing each work day a breeze.
Matt Kisiday
AutoCamp Joshua Tree is anchored by a midcentury modern clubhouse that blends warm interiors with the vast, outdoor expanse.
Increased remote work flexibility in the post-pandemic workspace has significantly altered the way we scheme up our travel plans. Combined with international travel restrictions that forced trip reconsideration for the last two years, the out-of-office movement has contributed to a road trip resurgence and renewed enthusiasm for United States destinations, with many locations scattered across the West principal among them.
A blossoming movement of conversion vans, RVs, and camp trailers is well underway, and it’s hardly a coincidence that this trend is coinciding with the aforementioned factors.
In its annual summary on traveler trends, the Texas-based Outdoorsy reported that 62% of respondents said they now have the current flexibility to remain either partially or fully tuned into work from any location. It’s also no coincidence, then, that in addition to a soaring number of plans to embark on a road trip in 2022, there is also increased interest in taking family-oriented trips.
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More than 80% of those surveyed in the Outdoorsy report said they were making plans to hit the road this year with a significant other, while approximately half of respondents said they were looking to bring the kids along for the ride. But where to?
Unlike hotel getaways, working at campgrounds can pose WiFi connectivity issues, but there are remedies. Travel hotspots, such as the GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE, are capable of providing connectivity for up to 10 devices. There’s also the Somewear Global Hotspot, which pairs with any smartphone and uses the Iridium satellite network to give users the ability to maintain 100% connectivity whenever cellular service drops.
On the luxury end, there’s the Living Vehicle, a solar-powered, off-grid trailer that was recently outfitted with what the company is calling “the ultimate off-grid office for creative professionals.” The Living Vehicle Creative Studio is loaded with high-tech Apple products that, thanks to the powerful LVenergy system, are ready to perform in even the most off-grid environment. When it’s time to hit the hay, the work station gives way to a queen bed that can be easily lowered, Murphy style.
No matter your method of travel, destinations that span rugged retreats to dazzling oceanfront resorts are issuing a siren call. If you’re eager to answer but don’t know where to set up shop, don’t worry. We compiled a short list of destinations, from off-grid to poolside, that will make each work day a breeze and clocking out even sweeter.
Airstream Oasis
Matt Kisiday
AutoCamp Joshua Tree, California: Just nine minutes from the gates of Joshua Tree National Park are AutoCamp’s 31-foot Airstream Suites—and even more spacious Vista X Suites—that can house a family of four. The accommodation includes a fully functioning kitchenette, luxury linens and bath towels, a queen bed, and better yet, an exterior replete with the sights that make this part of the California desert special. Communal lounges, bicycles, fire pits, and a pool are all readily available, so there will be plenty to keep the rest of the family busy while you tackle the remaining items on your boss’ to-do list. Learn more here.
AutoCamp Yosemite, California: There’s just something about golden hour in the Yosemite Valley, but there’s even more to it when you get to escape an office and enjoy it as a real-life screensaver. AutoCamp’s Yosemite location can accommodate families in Airstreams, luxury tents, and small cabins. A seasonal pool, complimentary mountain bikes, yoga classes, and an indoor fire area all make for a nice home away from home, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch some live music to enjoy while you munch on a snack from the property’s s’mores bar. Learn more here.
Glamp in Style
105 West Ranch, Colorado: West of Colorado Springs is this 100-acre plot that offers all manner of accommodations ranging from a tiny house to a geodesic dome and canvas tents. At nearly 10,000 feet of elevation, awe-inspiring views beckon from every direction. Peace and quiet are abundant, so working will come easy. You’ll just have to fend off the distractions of the crisp Colorado mountain air and the wealth of outdoor adventure on your doorstep. Learn more here.
Juniper Grove, Utah: A southern Utah site that puts both Zion National Park and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park within an hour’s drive, this campsite is well-positioned to host all manner of remote work adventurers. A picnic table, fireplace, restrooms, chairs, and camp lantern are all included. And when you’re done promoting synergy via your boss’ 35-slides-too-long PowerPoint, a spacious king bed, fresh linens, blankets, and pillows await. A shared hot tub and sauna are also available. Learn more here.
Indulge in Luxury
Mark Boisclair via the Royal Palms Resort
L’Auberge Del Mar, California: Nestled in the beach town of Del Mar, just north of San Diego, is this 121-room gem that immerses guests in one luxury after another. Thanks to the property’s Work by the Sea package, remote working guests will not only have resort fees waived but will also be provided a $25-per-day food and beverage credit as well. Eat and drink poolside in a spacious cabana or, once the work day is over, check out one of the property’s complimentary Zybra beach cruisers to explore the town. Learn more here.
Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Arizona: This beautifully manicured, 9-acre property in Scottsdale caters to remote workers with a Fee-Free Summer package that eliminates all traditionally baked-in resort fees, parking costs, and even pet price hikes. It’s a deal designed to allow visitors to stay longer and enjoy more of what this Spanish Colonial desert oasis has to offer. Traditional rooms are available, as are Spanish-inspired villas and casitas. Indulge in top cuisine, spirits, and spa treatments to melt away the stress of the day. Learn more here.
Pitch a Tent
Big Bend, Texas: If you’re camping out after a day’s work, you may as well make sure you find a campground with some scintillating night skies overhead. The Greater Big Bend area was recently named the 20th International Dark Sky Reserve. Comprising 9 million acres from Fort Davis to the Rio Grande River and the Sierra del Carmen mountains of Coahuila, Mexico, there is no shortage of stunning landscapes and skies to take in after sending the day’s last email. Learn more here.
Three Capes, Oregon: The Oregon coastline is pure magic, and few stretches encapsulate its allure more than the Three Capes Scenic Loop. The 40-mile coastal stretch turns west from Tillamook to the picturesque lighthouse at Cape Meares, then runs south to Cape Lookout, Cape Kiwanda, and Pacific City. Campgrounds dot the route, each providing access to Oregon’s rocky beaches that yield to intoxicating evergreen forests, wildflowers, and a symphony of birdsong. Learn more here.
Take the RV
Sequoia National Forest, California: The only national forest to top 10,000 total nights booked by RVers in 2020 was Sequoia National Forest, and for good reason. The outdoors mecca of the Sierra Nevada boasts more than 40 campgrounds, 1,100 miles of hiking trails, 222 miles of rivers, and almost 315,000 acres of wilderness. Not a bad way to spend your down time once you punch out. Learn more here.
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah: The 2.17-million acre Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest spans parts of northern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. Once setting up at any of the forest’s 80 RV campgrounds, there is ample natural beauty and recreation to enjoy. Four distinct seasons each offer unique outdoor adventures, and when desired, Utah’s large urban centers, which sit in close proximity, provide the added convenience of timely city amenities. Learn more here.
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