With more than half the world’s population living in cities, it seems almost impossible to find some peace and quiet these days. Sadly, street noise, cellphones, and traffic provide a constant soundtrack to our lives. But, what if you could go someplace so quiet you could actually hear your ears ring? Believe it or not, these places do exist! Some are easily accessible, while others are off the beaten path, but either way, these seven locations are guaranteed to bring the quiet you’ve been craving
The Hoh Valley, Washington
With 922,000 acres of unspoiled land and the least amount of roads in the continental U.S, quiet can certainly be found in this rain forest. Situated in northern Washington, Olympic National Park is home to an area called One Square Inch of Silence. The area, marked by a small red stone, is actually an independent research project being done to encourage people to listen to their environment. While it’s said to be the quietest place in the country, you will hear the sounds of animals. But that certainly beats the sound of honking horns and noisy neighbors!
Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Russia
Only 3,000 tourists every year are allowed to visit this remote and breathtaking landscape located in the far east of Russia, known as the Land of Fire and Ice. You can see volcanoes among the harsh terrain but will hear very little. While animals do roam and the wind does blow, the area is so vast and removed from civilization you’ll finally be able to hear yourself think. Since the government is keen to protect the area, in order to visit you must sign up with one of the approved tour companies to take a helicopter day trip.
Tak Be Ha Cenote, Tulum, Mexico
This next entry I actually visited on my honeymoon with my wife back in 2015, and it is truly amazing! Underwater caves are not only devoid of sound, they are also completely dark. Many of these caves, known as cenotes, can go for miles underground and feel like another world. Pop on a headlamp and venture into Takbeha Cenote in Tulum by swimming into the darkness. Once inside and away from the light, perch yourself on a large stalagmite, and you’ll hear nothing but your breath and the occasional drip of water. Turn the headlamp off for the ultimate sensory experience.
Negev Desert, Israel
If a visit to the Holy Land is on your to-do list, then be sure to make a stop in the Negev Desert for a truly spiritual experience. Away from the busy cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, travelers have to drive through this desert if heading to the southern portion of the country. But, getting away from the road and going on a hike further into the desert is where you can actually hear your ears ring from the silence. There are several spots to stop along the way, including the town of Mitzpe Ramon, which overlooks the Ramon Crater, making for an incredible view, too.
Kelso Dunes, California
The Mojave Desert is home to some of the most astonishing landscapes in the United States, and the Kelso Dunes, in particular, are known for towering dunes that resemble the Great Sand Sea of Egypt. But even more than the stunning beauty, the overwhelming quiet is captivating. “Virtually no planes flew overhead, and only very occasionally did a distant car or freight train create noise,” Trevor Cox wrote in The Sound Book: The Science of the Sonic Wonders of the World. “Much of the day there was a great deal of wind, but at twilight and early in the morning the winds calmed down and the quiet revealed itself.”
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana
Looking out over the expansive land, you’ll feel like the end is an eternity away. With few human inhabitants, this Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is perfect for stargazing and clearing your head. A stay at the luxurious San Camp takes advantage of the area’s unique quiet and dark nature by encouraging guests to spend the night in the open under the stars. “It was 100 percent the quietest place I’ve ever been,” says one guest. “It was actually insane because you couldn’t hear anything and you felt like you were in a planetarium at the same time.”
Anechoic Chamber, Minnesota
Sure, this place is man-made, but it’s legitimately the quietest place on Earth according to Guinness World Records. The 99.9% sound-absorbent chamber is made of layers of concrete and steel, lined with crosshatched buffers, and the floor is suspended by mesh to account for any bit of sound. “We challenge people to sit in the chamber in the dark,” lab founder Steven Orfield has said. “When it’s quiet, ears will adapt. The quieter the room, the more things you hear. You’ll hear your heart beating; sometimes you can hear your lungs, hear your stomach gurgling loudly. In the anechoic chamber, you become the sound.” The longest anyone has lasted is 45 minutes.
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