1. Barrow (Utqiaġvik), Alaska
Welcome to the northernmost community in the United States. Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow, is so far north that the sun doesn’t rise for about 65 days in winter. The only way in or out is by plane—there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska. It feels like its own frozen kingdom above the Arctic Circle.
Daily life here is dominated by the elements. Subsistence hunting and fishing remain central to the Iñupiat people’s survival. Modern conveniences are costly, with grocery prices often two or three times higher than in the rest of the U.S. It’s a place where community ties matter more than ever because the outside world feels so far away.
2. Supai, Arizona
If you thought the Grand Canyon was remote, wait until you hear about Supai. Tucked deep inside the canyon, this Havasupai tribe village is only accessible by foot, mule, or helicopter. Mail is literally delivered by mule, making it the last place in the U.S. where that happens. It feels more like a world apart than part of Arizona.
The isolation isn’t just quirky—it shapes daily life. Groceries, medicine, and supplies all take that grueling 8-mile trek in. Visitors who do make the journey are rewarded with turquoise waterfalls and a true sense of being cut off from the modern world. Supai is as close as you can get to another country without a passport.
3. St. Paul Island, Alaska
In the middle of the Bering Sea lies St. Paul Island, part of the remote Pribilof Islands. With only about 400 residents, it’s one of the most isolated inhabited places in America. You can only get here by a small plane from Anchorage, weather permitting. The Aleut community here has learned to live with the constant roar of the sea.
It’s known for its wildlife as much as its people. St. Paul hosts one of the largest fur seal rookeries in the world, plus a staggering array of seabirds. Tourists are rare, and when they do come, they’re usually birdwatchers or scientists. Life here is as much about adapting to nature as it is about community.
4. Little Diomede, Alaska
Little Diomede sits on a rock in the middle of the Bering Strait. Its closest neighbor isn’t another Alaskan town, but Russia’s Big Diomede Island, just 2.5 miles away across the International Date Line. Fewer than 100 people live here, almost all Alaska Natives. The community feels caught between two worlds, yet connected to neither.
Reaching the island is an adventure in itself. The only way in winter is by helicopter, landing on the sea ice when conditions allow. The people here rely heavily on subsistence hunting for walrus, seals, and birds. From their homes, they can literally see tomorrow—since Russia’s island is technically a day ahead.
5. Port Protection, Alaska
If the name sounds familiar, that’s because the village was featured on the reality show Port Protection Alaska. Tucked on Prince of Wales Island, it’s accessible only by boat or floatplane. Fewer than 100 people live here, carving out a rugged, self-sufficient lifestyle. It’s a world without paved roads or police, where neighbors depend on one another.
The community thrives on independence. Residents harvest their own fish, chop their own firewood, and often build their own homes. The pace is slow, but the work is constant. For people here, “off the grid” isn’t trendy—it’s survival.
6. Point Roberts, Washington
Point Roberts is one of the strangest quirks on the U.S. map. It’s technically part of Washington, but the only way to drive there is through Canada. This tiny border community of about 1,200 people sits on a peninsula just below Vancouver. Many locals joke that they’re Americans with a Canadian lifestyle.
Isolation is baked into daily logistics. Kids ride the bus across an international border just to attend high school in the U.S. Even a simple trip to a big-box store means a border crossing. Residents say it makes them feel like they live in a country within a country.
7. Hyder, Alaska
Hyder is the only town in Alaska where the U.S. dollar isn’t always king—Canadian currency is widely accepted. That’s because it’s cut off from the rest of Alaska and only reachable by road through British Columbia. Fewer than 100 people live here, and their daily lives are more entwined with Canadians than Alaskans. Even cell phone service runs through Canadian towers.
The town is famous for “Hyderizing” visitors—a strong shot of alcohol to mark their arrival. Beyond that tradition, people come for the bears and glaciers that surround the area. Hyder feels more like an appendage of Canada than part of the U.S. Yet for the locals, that quirkiness is part of its charm.
8. Isle au Haut, Maine
Off the coast of Maine lies Isle au Haut, a rugged island with about 70 year-round residents. Half of the island is part of Acadia National Park, drawing summer visitors. But come winter, it feels far away from everything. The ferry is the only way to get here, and bad weather often cancels trips.
Life revolves around fishing and lobstering, as it has for generations. Residents balance preserving traditions with welcoming seasonal tourists. Internet is spotty, stores are few, and self-sufficiency is the norm. In many ways, the island’s remoteness preserves the pace of another era.
9. Monhegan Island, Maine
Monhegan Island is small—just one square mile—but it feels like another world. About 65 people live here year-round, with no cars and only a handful of businesses. It’s known as an artist colony, drawing painters inspired by its cliffs and crashing waves. Getting here requires a boat ride of at least an hour.
The community is tightly knit. Winters can be long and isolating, with many residents relying on wood stoves and careful planning. Visitors often say they feel transported back in time. For locals, it’s just daily life on their rock in the Atlantic.
10. Tangier Island, Virginia
Set in the middle of Chesapeake Bay, Tangier Island feels frozen in time. About 400 people live here, many of them descendants of 17th-century English settlers. The accent is so distinct that linguists say it’s closer to Shakespearean English than modern American speech. To reach the island, you’ll need a ferry or a small plane.
Crabbing is the lifeblood of the community. Rising sea levels are a constant threat, with some predicting the island could disappear within decades. The isolation has preserved its traditions but also limited its options. Visitors often leave saying they felt like they stepped into a living museum.
11. Beaver Island, Michigan
Nicknamed “America’s Emerald Isle,” Beaver Island sits in northern Lake Michigan. It’s the largest island in the lake but still only has about 600 residents year-round. Ferries connect it to the mainland, but winter often cuts it off completely. Historically, it was once home to a self-declared Mormon kingdom.
Today, the island attracts people who want peace and quiet. It has its own schools, a small airport, and plenty of rugged charm. Summers bring a burst of activity with tourists and seasonal residents. The rest of the year, it’s an isolated outpost in the Great Lakes.
12. Kelleys Island, Ohio
Kelleys Island in Lake Erie has just over 300 permanent residents. It’s larger than better-known Put-in-Bay but feels far quieter. The island is reached only by ferry or small plane, with ice sometimes halting travel entirely. Winters here are quiet enough to feel like another world.
Fishing, boating, and tourism shape the summers. Residents enjoy a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else. It’s the kind of place where neighbors are more like extended family. That sense of togetherness helps make up for the remoteness.
13. Green Bank, West Virginia
Green Bank isn’t remote by distance—it’s remote by design. Located in the National Radio Quiet Zone, it’s home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. That means no Wi-Fi, no cell towers, and no microwave ovens. Life here feels like a throwback to pre-digital times.
People move here specifically to escape electromagnetic interference. Some residents even claim to be sensitive to radio waves, finding relief in Green Bank’s enforced silence. The community adapts with landlines and face-to-face connections. In a country glued to screens, Green Bank feels like its own universe.
14. Ocracoke, North Carolina
Part of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Ocracoke is famous for its wild ponies and pirate history. Accessible only by ferry, private boat, or small plane, it’s separated from the mainland by miles of water. Fewer than 1,000 people live here year-round. Summers bring tourists, but winters are defined by isolation.
The village has a unique dialect known as “Hoi Toider,” which linguists say is unlike anywhere else in the U.S. Daily life revolves around fishing, boating, and keeping traditions alive. Hurricanes and storms frequently cut off access, forcing residents to be self-reliant. Living here means embracing both beauty and vulnerability.
15. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is best known as a summer playground for the wealthy. But for the year-round residents—about 14,000 people—life can feel very isolated. The island is 30 miles out to sea, reachable only by ferry or plane. Winter storms often cancel travel, stranding residents for days.
The remoteness has preserved its cobblestone streets and historic wharves. Winters are quiet, sometimes eerily so, as seasonal homes sit empty. Yet the community thrives on resilience, adapting to the boom-and-bust rhythm of seasonal life. It’s a slice of New England that feels worlds away from the mainland.
This post 15 American Villages So Isolated They Might as Well Be Another Country was first published on American Charm.
