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 to visit somewhere way off the beaten path, these obscure locales, the most remote towns in America, are the perfect spots. Here are some of the most remote places in the U.S. to live.

1. Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte, CO 81224, USA
Doug Jones / Flickr
Our list of the most isolated towns in America begins in Colorado. Crested Butte is a ski resort town that spans only 0.7 square miles. It has a permanent population of 1,487 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:

2. Marfa, Texas

Michael Swigart / Flickr
Marfa, TX 79843, USA
Jack Says Relax / Flickr
Deep in the high desert of west Texas, Marfa has a population of 1,750 and plenty of sky. It's home to an odd work of art: a storefront that resembles a Prada shop. 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

thelostadventure / Flickr
Eureka, NV 89316, USA
Jasperdo / Flickr
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 411 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

Nicholas D. / Flickr
cifraser1 / Flickr
The town may be tiny (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.

5. Jarbidge, Nevada

mksfca / Flickr
Jarbidge, NV 89826, USA
Jeremy Michael / Flickr
This place is right on the skirts 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

Eric Tessmer / Flickr
Kalaupapa, HI 96742, USA
jomilo75 / Flickr
This place 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 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.A., but it's also incredibly scenic.

7. Mentone, Texas

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Mentone, TX 79754, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
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 10 of its 57 residents. There's no grocery store, bank, or even hospital in Mentone. The Loving County Sheriff 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.

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8. Arthur, Nebraska

Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Arthur, NE 69121, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Teeny tiny Arthur may not have much of a downtown (pictured) but it has a lot of heart. Its church is actually 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.

9. Winnett, Montana

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Winnett, MT 59087, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Winnett has a population of 194 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.

10. Shelter Cove, California

Rene Rivers / Flickr
Shelter Cove, CA 95589, USA
Cherry Bream / Flickr
Located on the aptly named Lost Coast, this place experienced severe depopulation in the early half of the 20th century that has left much of the land undeveloped. The few people that remain here live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the state. Other small towns on the Lost Coast include Whitehorn and Petrolia.

11. Whittier, Alaska

Valerian Guillot / Flickr
Whittier, AK 99693, USA
François Philipp / Flickr
Whittier is actually only accessible via a 2.6-mile tunnel that is only open during daylight hours. This town shelters only around 273 people during the brutal winter, and most of the residents live in a single building, 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

Green Bank, WV, USA
Stephen Little / Flickr
This place 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 actually roam the streets in Green Bank, checking for illegal wireless signals.

13. Angle Inlet, Minnesota

Angle Inlet, MN 56711, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
This tiny community is only accessible by going into Canada's Manitoba and then back 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

Supai, AZ 86435, USA
Reed Wiedower / Flickr
All of Supai's visitors must come by horse or helicopter. 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

Ben Templesmith / Flickr
Utqiagvik, AK 99723, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
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:

 

Would you visit any of the most remote towns in America? Which one appeals most to you? Share with us in the comment section!

Many of these remote places in America are also near some of the most incredible natural wonders. Check out some of our favorite natural areas in each of the 50 states. Of course, there are some pretty epic hiking trails in all of these locations. Grab some maps from AllTrails+ before you visit.

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Most Secluded Towns In The U.S.

Beth C. | March 24, 2021

What are the best small towns in the U.S.?

Some of the best small towns in the U.S. include:

It's hard to imagine America without its population of small towns. Off-the-beaten-path, these modest communities are among the most charming and authentic places to visit. If you're considering moving to a small town or perhaps just visiting for the day, there are plenty that belong on your radar.

What are some of the best little-known towns to visit in the U.S.?

Now that you've learned of some of the most popular small towns in the U.S., it's time to focus on the under-the-radar places where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Some of the best little-known towns in the U.S. include:

What are some quiet places to visit in the U.S.?

If your ideal vacation involves plenty of rest and relaxation, the U.S. offers plenty of options. At the top of the list of quiet places to visit in the U.S. is Dry Tortugas in Florida. In order to get there, you'll have to take a boat or a seaplane. However, once you arrive at this peaceful destination 70 miles from Key West, you'll feel millions and millions of miles away from it all. From snorkeling to relaxing on the beach, there's no shortage of activities to enjoy here.

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