Physician and microbiologist Robert Koch was a pioneer in the study of infectious diseases, known for his research into tuberculosis, cholera, and more. A Nobel Prize recipient in 1905, Koch in 1910 predicted that instead of deadly pathogens, the human race would eventually have another insidious infection to deal with: “One day man will have to fight noise as fiercely as cholera and pest,” he said.
Can it even be said that humanity is fighting noise at this point? Noise appears to have won—the chime of notifications, the honking of horns, a rude fellow subway passenger having a conversation on speakerphone—all part of the din of modern society. But even though noise has asserted its dominance, there still are places that offer a respite. And, increasingly, peace and quiet is what travelers are looking for in their destination.
According to a 2025 travel trend report by Expedia, the previous year saw an increase in searches for what the report calls “Detour Destinations,” places that are close to major cities but are less crowded and more laid back. Think Santa Barbara instead of Los Angeles—a bit shorter on the iconic attractions, but with the same beautiful weather and beaches in a more peaceful environment. Sixty-three percent of people surveyed said they were planning to visit a destination like this on their next trip.
The quiet travel trend is real. But what “quiet” means can vary from group to group and person to person. Santa Barbara might be quieter than L.A., but it’s still Southern California. What if your group is looking to truly unplug? “Silent travel” is on the rise as well, with more destinations around the world offering contemplative, meditative experiences. Perhaps the most famous silent traveler is NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who brought the term “darkness retreat” into the national lexicon after he spent part of the 2023 offseason at a facility in southern Oregon that specializes in offering its guests total darkness and quiet.
Of course, travelers will find more quiet if they seek out parks and outdoor destinations. That’s the sort of experience Quiet Parks International (QPI) is trying to help people find. A nonprofit organization, QPI’s stated mission is: “To save quiet for the benefit of all life.” The organization cites some alarming numbers about just how rare a commodity quiet is these days: They report 97% of the American populace experiences noise from planes and freeways, and 90% of children will never experience natural silence during their life.
To that end, Quiet Parks International maintains a worldwide catalog of quiet places, in varying categories. As the organization’s name implies, its focus is on parks, but this encompasses urban parks, wilderness parks, trails, and more. Take Nebraska’s Niobrara National Scenic River, for example, which earned “Quiet Trail” status from QPI in 2023, the first such destination with that status in the United States.
Credit: National Park Service
The Niobrara offers all the usual river recreation activities outdoorsy groups love, such as rafting, kayaking, hiking, and more. But what earned it this “Quiet Trail” status was a two-year study and collection of data to show, as empirically as possible, that the level of quiet at the river was truly special.
“Our testing process is very exact,” Gordon Hempton, QPI’s cofounder, said at the time. “Beyond collecting standard acoustic data, each team member must agree, unanimously and unhesitatingly, that natural [quiet] prevailed throughout the testing period. The Niobrara River’s splendid geologic landscape, unusual atmospheric conditions, and outstanding wildlife all contributed toward a positive outcome.”
Located in the heart of Portland, Oregon, Mount Tabor Park became the first Urban Quiet Park in 2023. You don’t have to pan out too far on a map to see state and Interstate freeways, but Mount Tabor’s 176 acres are an island of tranquility. The park—situated at the top of an extinct volcano—includes walking trails, recreation courts, picnic areas, and an amphitheater. But it’s the quiet in an urban environment that is most attractive.
“To be within Portland’s urban sprawl is very important for Quiet Parks International’s mission to save quiet and create awareness of how important silence and stillness are not only for human health and well-being but for all living creatures,” said Ulf Bohman, Urban Quiet Parks executive director for QPI, at the time of the park’s award. “The hope is that this award will inspire those stewards to start protecting the quiet spaces around them.”
QPI also keeps track of quiet experiences such as “forest bathing,” an experience akin to a hike but focusing on the total silence found in the woods, completely immersing the group. Forest Bathing Hawai’i conducts forest bathing walks on the island of Oahu. Although limited to groups of eight at a time, these walks allow participants to activate multiple senses: the sound of quiet, the feel of many species of native plants, and the smell and taste of the wind.
You can find a full map of QPI’s quiet places at its website, quietparks.org. But there is no singular definition of a quiet place; the term can be a starting point to incorporating slower, quieter, activities in your itinerary as your group desires. We could all stand to be more mindful of the noise we’re creating and absorbing.
By Todd Kortemeier
Main Image: Adobe/yaeantho
