Sometimes, what you really need is to get away from it all. Away from the traffic, pollution, and the neighbor's barking terrier. Whether you're ready to put down roots somewhere as far away as possible from the nearest Starbucks, or you are just looking for an off-the-beaten-path campground, these obscure locales, the most remote towns places to live in the U.S., are the perfect spots. Here are 15 off-grid towns in the U.S. that are perfect when you want to get away from it all.
1. Crested Butte, Colorado
Our list of the most isolated towns in America begins in Colorado. Crested Butte is a ski resort town in Colorado that spans only 0.7 square miles. It has a permanent population of 1,434 people and is 21 miles away from the next closest town, Gunnison. Though the town has its own airport and Nordic cultural center, this place is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. That's a plus if you're into pristine ski slopes and stunning starry skies. And if you love wildflowers, you'll want to visit during the annual Wildflower Festival, a 10-day festival that's typically held each July.
2. Marfa, Texas
Deep in the high desert of west Texas, Marfa has a population of 2,141 and plenty of sky. It's home to an odd work of art: a storefront that resembles a Prada shop. The permanent art display is well worth a visit if you're passing through one of the most peaceful small towns in the U.S. Marfa has also been the filming site of many movies, including "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country For Old Men." Despite this, Marfa is incredibly isolated. There isn't another town west of Marfa for another 500 miles.
3. Eureka, Nevada
Eureka is an old mining town on Highway 50. Its location on a major roadway does little to lessen its seclusion. However, the next town is over 77 miles away. Eureka has a small population of 266 people and, bizarrely, an elaborate opera house. The town has become something of a tourist attraction due to its quaint architecture, but Eureka is by no means crowded. Lovely as the town may be, it's still awfully far from anything else.
4. Jordan Valley, Oregon
The town may be tiny at only 2.08 square miles, but one thing Jordan Valley isn't lacking is space. Its 135 residents enjoy 30 miles of green valley and mountain range all around. Tourists may stop by to check out the Jordan Crater Field, which is – you guessed it – a field with a bunch of craters in it, but otherwise, Jordan Valley doesn't see many outsiders. If you're looking for a quiet place to go stargazing, you won't find better than Jordan Valley. The lack of light pollution usually makes for clear skies, offering idyllic conditions for gazing at the nighttime sky.
5. Jarbidge, Nevada
One of the most remote places to live in the U.S., Jarbidge is right on the outskirts of the Jarbidge Wilderness area and is only accessible by two dirt roads, one of which is 80 miles long and closes for most of the year due to snow accumulation. If you're going to visit, the best time is undoubtedly the spring, when fields of wildflowers erupt into bloom all around the sleepy town.
6. Kalaupapa, Hawaii
One of the most beautiful small towns in the U.S., Kalaupapa is an unincorporated community on the island of Molokai, Hawaii's least visited major island. Kalaupapa is located within Kalawao County, the least populous county in the nation, according to the most recent census. It can be accessed by sea, air, or mule train. Situated at the base of sea cliffs and nestled right up against the ocean, this tiny town is the perfect tropical getaway for when you REALLY want to get away. Not only is it one of the most remote towns in the U.S., but it's also incredibly scenic.
7. Mentone, Texas
Mentone is the only settlement within the county of Loving County. It is the least populous county in the country, and Mentone is home to 18 of its 96 residents. There's no grocery store, bank, or even hospital in Mentone. The Loving County Sheriff, Billy Hopper, has been quoted as saying "If you've got to have rattlesnakes or lawyers, which one would you have?" We have a feeling Mentone is happy the way it is.
8. Arthur, Nebraska
Teeny tiny Arthur may not have much of a downtown (pictured) but it has a lot of heart. Its church is constructed from baled straw, which was once a common method of building in Nebraska. The small courthouse serves as a museum celebrating the history of the town. One of the most remote towns in the U.S. is also home to the Prairie Theater, Petrified Wood Gallery, and Tri-Trails Park, the site where the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express Trail, and the Texas Trail intersect.
9. Winnett, Montana
Winnett has a population of 216 people and is one of the least populous counties in the country. The town convened its third jury EVER in 2007. There isn't much around Winnett, but the people take the history of their town very seriously and are happy to share their stories and dinner tables with visitors. The small town in Montana is known for its cattle and, if you enjoy fishing, you'll find Petrolia Reservoir just southeast of town at Petrolia Reservoir while Yellow Water Reservoir is southwest.
10. Shelter Cove, California
Located on the aptly named Lost Coast, the small town of Shelter Cove experienced severe depopulation in the early half of the 20th century that has left much of the land undeveloped. The approximately 468 people who remain here live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the state. Other small towns on the Lost Coast include Whitehorn and Petrolia. Shelter Cove is an idyllic spot for kayaking and surfing, or strolling by the tide pools.
11. Whittier, Alaska
Whittier is only accessible via a 2.6-mile tunnel that is only open during daylight hours. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is more commonly known as the Whittier Tunnel. This small town in Alaska shelters only around 257 people during the brutal winter, and most of the residents live in a single building, the 14-story Begich Towers. If you want to visit, make sure you bring your snow boots; this place gets up to 55 feet of snow per year.
12. Green Bank, West Virginia
This small town in West Virginia may not be geographically isolated, but it's cut off from the rest of the world in one very crucial way: wireless signals are illegal in Green Bank. That means no cell phones, Wi-Fi, or even radios. Furthermore, electronic transmitters of any sort are banned. Say goodnight to that electric blanket. The reason? Green Bank is in the National Radio Quiet Zone, which is a 13,000-square-mile area that the FDC has set aside to allow government radio telescopes to operate without interference. Police roam the streets in Green Bank, checking for illegal wireless signals. If you're looking for one of the best off-grid towns in the U.S., you've just found it. It's an idyllic spot if you want to unplug and recharge, and it's home to the Green Bank Telescope.
13. Angle Inlet, Minnesota
This tiny community is only accessible by entering Canada's Manitoba and then southward into the US. Angle Inlet has a population of 54 people and is the only settlement north of the 49th parallel. The town is absolutely lovely in the warmer months when the surrounding woodlands are in bloom and the waters are warm.
14. Supai Village, Arizona
All of Supai's visitors must come by horse or helicopter or via an eight-mile hike, which is not recommended during the hottest parts of the day. The surrounding landscape is unsuitable for vehicles. It's the only place left in the country where mail is delivered via mule. Even though this tiny village is hard to reach, people still flock to the area for the sight of spectacular Mooney Falls. Supai is #1 for the most remote towns in the U.S.A.
15. Utqiagvik, Alaska
Last but not least on our list of the most secluded towns in the U.S. is Utqiagvik. Formerly called Barrow, this town is the northernmost human settlement in the whole of North America. Temperatures frequently drop below -22 Fahrenheit. It has a fluctuating population of around 4,400 people, and the town experiences up to a month of total darkness during the winter. The town is mainly populated by members of the Inupiat community, and researchers at the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory. You can't reach Utqiagvik by road, so the town's airport is its lifeline to the rest of the world. Utqiagvik is the most secluded town in the United States.
Many of the most remote towns in the U.S. are located near some of the prettiest lakes in America. Check out some of our favorite lakes in the US in this video:
What are your favorite off-grid towns in the U.S.? How about the best small towns in the U.S.? Let us know by filling out this nomination form.
Many of these remote places to live in the U.S. are also near some of the most incredible natural wonders in America. Of course, there are some pretty epic hiking trails in all of these locations. Grab some maps from AllTrails+ before you visit. If you're heading out on a road trip to some of these small towns in the U.S., consult the OIYS road trip essentials packing list.
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!