1. Whittier, Alaska
This tiny town is only accessible by boat or through a single-lane tunnel that closes at night, Moni Basu from CNN explains. Almost everyone in Whittier lives in the same 14-story building, which also houses the post office, school, and grocery store. The weather is brutal, with high winds and heavy snowfall trapping residents inside for much of the year. Despite the isolation, people stay for the stunning scenery and tight-knit community.
Winters in Whittier can be so intense that some residents barely step outside for months. Supplies are stocked in advance, and the shared building keeps people connected even when the weather is at its worst. Tourism picks up in the summer, as cruise ships and adventurers pass through the nearby Prince William Sound. But once winter sets in, the town returns to its quiet, solitary existence.
2. Supai, Arizona
Tucked deep in the Grand Canyon, Supai is the only town in the U.S. where mail is still delivered by mule. There are no roads leading to Supai, so the only way in is by foot, horseback, or helicopter. The nearest town is 60 miles away, making supply runs a serious endeavor. Despite the challenge, the Havasupai Tribe has lived here for centuries, thriving among breathtaking waterfalls and towering canyon walls, Reuben Hernandez and Eliot Stein from the BBC explain.
Tourists make the difficult trek to visit the famous blue-green Havasu Falls, but life here is far from easy. Essentials have to be carried in, and extreme heat in the summer makes even short trips exhausting. Internet and cell service are nearly nonexistent, reinforcing the town’s sense of disconnection from the outside world. But for the people who live here, the deep roots and sacred landscape make it worth the isolation.
3. Jordan, Montana
Jordan sits in the heart of Montana’s vast prairie, surrounded by miles of open land with barely a tree in sight. The closest Walmart is over 100 miles away, and even basic necessities require a long drive. The town is small, with just a few hundred residents, but it’s known for its strong sense of community, Rick and Susie Graetz from the University of Montana share. People here are self-reliant, often growing or hunting their own food.
The area is so remote that the U.S. government once considered it a possible site for nuclear waste storage. Winters are brutal, with temperatures plummeting and blizzards making travel risky. But summers bring wide-open skies, rolling hills, and a quiet beauty that makes the isolation worthwhile. Life in Jordan isn’t easy, but for those who love the land, there’s nowhere else like it.
4. McCarthy, Alaska
Once a booming copper mining town, McCarthy now has fewer than 50 year-round residents. The town sits deep in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, surrounded by glaciers and rugged mountains, Tom Kizzia shares in The Seattle Times. The only road in is a 60-mile gravel path that is often washed out by floods. With no police force, no hospital, and minimal electricity, residents are completely on their own.
Winters in McCarthy can be harsh, with subzero temperatures and near-total darkness for months. Supplies must be stocked in advance, and survival skills are a necessity. Tourists visit in the summer to see the historic remnants of the mining days, but by fall, the town empties out again. Those who stay embrace the extreme lifestyle, choosing nature over convenience.
5. Elk Mountain, Wyoming
Elk Mountain is home to fewer than 200 people and sits at the base of the towering peak that shares its name. The nearest major city is hours away, and the town is often cut off by heavy snow in the winter. Ranching is the primary way of life, with families relying on self-sufficiency to get through the long months. The pace of life is slow, and residents wouldn’t have it any other way.
Winter storms can dump feet of snow in a single night, making travel nearly impossible. Wind gusts whip across the open plains, and temperatures routinely drop well below zero. There are no big-box stores here—just a handful of local businesses and a deep reliance on neighbors. Despite its challenges, Elk Mountain remains a haven for those who prefer solitude over city life.
6. Mentone, Texas
Mentone is the smallest county seat in the U.S., with a population of fewer than 20 people. Located in the harsh West Texas desert, it’s miles from the nearest gas station or grocery store. The town has no school, no medical clinic, and only one café, which isn’t always open. Water is scarce, and summers regularly bring triple-digit temperatures.
Despite its near-ghost town status, Mentone has a few die-hard residents who refuse to leave, Pamela Colloff explains in Texas Monthly. Most work in the oil industry or ranching, relying on the land for their livelihood. The town’s only real landmark is the abandoned courthouse, a relic of busier times. Living here isn’t about convenience—it’s about stubborn independence.
7. Buford, Wyoming
Buford holds the title of the smallest town in America, with a population of just one. Sitting at 8,000 feet above sea level, it’s one of the highest settlements in the country. The town consists of a single gas station and a small convenience store, both run by the lone resident. Winters are bitterly cold, and wind speeds can top 60 miles per hour.
Originally a railroad town, Buford once had a small but thriving community. Over the years, residents moved away, leaving just one person to keep things running. Travelers on Interstate 80 often stop out of curiosity, amazed that anyone actually lives there. Despite the solitude, the town’s last resident remains, determined to keep Buford alive.
8. Monowi, Nebraska
Monowi is another tiny town with a population of just one—Elsie Eiler, who serves as the mayor, bartender, and librarian. The town once had a few dozen residents, but over the years, they either moved away or passed on. Now, Elsie runs the Monowi Tavern, welcoming travelers who stop by for a beer and a chat. She even issues her own business license each year to keep the town official.
The nearest town is miles away, making supply runs a challenge. Despite being alone, Elsie keeps Monowi alive, maintaining the library in memory of her late husband. Visitors come from all over just to meet her and experience the town’s quirky charm. In a world of constant change, Monowi remains a place frozen in time.
9. Jarbidge, Nevada
Tucked away in the rugged mountains of northeastern Nevada, Jarbidge is one of the most remote towns in the lower 48 states. The last stretch of road leading into town is unpaved and often impassable in winter, cutting off access for months at a time. With fewer than 50 year-round residents, Jarbidge feels like a forgotten frontier, where the Wild West still lingers. There’s no cell service, and the nearest major town is hours away.
Despite its isolation, Jarbidge has a rich history as the site of one of the last gold rushes in the U.S. The town has a few small businesses, including a seasonal saloon, but life here is mostly self-sufficient. Residents rely on wood stoves for heat and stock up on supplies before winter sets in. For those who crave solitude and stunning mountain scenery, Jarbidge is a hidden gem in the Nevada wilderness.
10. Pitkin, Colorado
Nestled high in the Colorado Rockies, Pitkin is a former mining town that now has fewer than 100 year-round residents. Sitting at nearly 9,000 feet above sea level, the town is buried under snow for much of the year. The only way in or out during the winter is by snowmobile or a rugged 4×4 vehicle, making supply runs an ordeal. Despite the tough conditions, residents love the town’s old-fashioned charm and breathtaking mountain scenery.
In the summer, Pitkin comes alive with seasonal visitors drawn to its hiking trails and historic buildings. But when the snow falls, the town turns into a remote, frozen retreat where neighbors rely on each other to get by. There are no grocery stores or gas stations nearby, so planning ahead is essential. For those who don’t mind the isolation, Pitkin offers an escape into a world of pristine wilderness and peaceful solitude.
11. Silverton, Colorado
Tucked high in the San Juan Mountains, Silverton is a former mining town that remains incredibly remote. At over 9,000 feet above sea level, winter storms can dump feet of snow at a time, cutting the town off for days. The only way in or out is via the treacherous Million Dollar Highway, a winding mountain road with sheer drop-offs and no guardrails. Despite the challenges, a few hundred hardy residents choose to stay year-round.
Most of the town shuts down for the winter, leaving only a handful of businesses open. Snowmobiles and skis become the primary modes of transportation when the roads are impassable. In the summer, tourists flock to the town for its history and stunning alpine scenery. But when the cold sets in, Silverton returns to its quiet, isolated existence.
12. Green Bank, West Virginia
Green Bank is unique—not just because it’s remote, but because it exists in a government-mandated “radio quiet zone.” The town is home to the Green Bank Observatory, which means Wi-Fi, cell service, and even microwaves are banned to prevent interference with sensitive telescopes. With a population of fewer than 150 people, life here is intentionally disconnected from modern technology. The town’s few residents live without the conveniences most of us take for granted.
Because of its isolation, Green Bank has attracted people who suffer from electromagnetic sensitivity, believing they feel ill from radio waves. The lack of technology makes the town feel like a step back in time, with landlines and handwritten notes being the primary forms of communication. The surrounding mountains add to the feeling of seclusion, making outside contact difficult. But for those seeking peace, quiet, and a simpler way of life, Green Bank is the perfect escape.
