Traveling by RV is the ultimate way to experience the freedom of the open road. For those seeking true solitude and scenic beauty, venturing to some of the most remote towns in the United States is an unforgettable experience. Here’s a guide to nine super-remote towns perfect for RV travelers craving a break from the hustle and bustle.
1. Silverton, Colorado
Silverton is one of Colorado’s old mining towns – the name comes from the hopeful phrase, “Silver by the ton,” and mines in the area did find large amounts of silver ore. There was also gold nearby, along with lead, zinc, and copper.
But Silverton is both rich in minerals and beautiful to boot. It’s surrounded by the soaring San Juan Mountains, and there are striking 13ers and 14ers (mountains over 13,000 or 14,000 feet) on all sides. Downtown has preserved many historic buildings as well, so people enjoy visiting for the scenery and the Wild West feel of the town.
Getting There
You can get to Silverton via the breathtaking Million Dollar Highway (U.S. Route 550). It’s hard to overstate how scenic the drive is, but it can be treacherous as well. The road is steep, narrow, and winding, and it can be hard to navigate in a larger RV. You may get very close to the edge, and there aren’t many places to turn around. Be sure to use lower gears while you make the drive, and take plenty of time.
Things to Do
Silverton is now primarily a tourist town, and there’s lots to do in the area! You can explore the historic buildings downtown. Browse the shops and grab a bite to eat as you wander. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad gives riders amazing views of high-altitude farmland before following the Animas River through towering canyons, thick forests, and past wildflowers and old mining structures.
There are tons of hiking trails in the area, also. Try hiking to Ice Lakes Basin – one of the most popular alpine lake hiking destinations in the state. It’s a 7-mile trail with significant elevation gain, but you’re rewarded with views of a pristine mountain lake surrounded by mountains.
Finally, check out Mayflower Gold Mill. You can take a self-guided tour and learn how gold and silver were processed after the ore was mined.
Camping Options
Thanks to all the outdoor activities in the area, Silverton has lots of nearby campgrounds where you can stay. Molas Lake Campground has incredible mountain views and was rated the “Most Scenic Campground in Colorado” by AAA. It has a mountain lake stocked with trout, boat rentals, showers, and a fish cleaning station. There are no hookups.
The Animas Forks area has dispersed camping available if you want to boondock in the area. And if you want more amenities, Silverton Lakes RV Park & Cabins has full hookups, a general store, showers, and laundry.
About the Area
Silverton sits at an elevation of 9,318 feet, so it’s a cool escape from the summer heat. The area is full of wildlife, including bears, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and – very occasionally – moose. There are also smaller mammals like pikas and yellow-bellied marmots. Because of the elevation, you’ll want to stay hydrated and bring a water bottle on any outings. Dress in layers because even in summer months, temperatures can fluctuate from chilly in the mornings and evenings to warmer in the middle of the day.
2. Marfa, Texas
Marfa is a very small town, with a population of fewer than 1,800 residents. But it has a big reputation as an artsy enclave in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. In fact, the town has an unusual blend of old-school Texas ranching culture and hipster modern art vibes.
Getting There
Marfa is reachable via W.S. Highway 67. It’s not a tricky drive, but the town is far from big cities like El Paso and San Antonio. The closest airport is in El Paso, about a three-hour drive from town.
Things to Do
Watch for the mysterious Marfa Lights in the area. They’re unexplained balls of light that appear near the town at night, usually near Highway 67. They were first reported by cowboys in the late 1800s. Scientists have offered explanations ranging from atmospheric reflections to car headlights to mirages, but no one explanation has satisfied viewers of the lights. Perhaps you could solve the mystery!
You can also wander the downtown area and see galleries, shops, and restaurants. The town is also full of sculptures and public art. And about 30 miles west of Marfa is the famous Prada Marfa. It’s a fake Prada store – a sculpture, really – in the midst of the barren desert. It’s also a wildly popular Instagram destination.
Camping Options
The Tumble In RV Park has full hookups, a dump station, showers, and a fire pit. The Marfa Yacht Club has RV sites available, as well as on-site Airstream trailers that can be booked. RV sites have full hookups, a heated container pool, showers, and laundry facilities.
About the Area
Marfa has become a popular destination for artists and creatives, blending small-town charm with contemporary art. And along with the town’s art, it’s been captured in another art form – cinema – as well. Giant, starring Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, and Rock Hudson was filmed here in 1956. More recently, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood were both filmed in the town in 2007.
3. Baker, Nevada
Baker, Nevada (not to be confused with Baker, California), is near the entrance to Great Basin National Park. It’s a tiny town near the Utah border, with a population of less than 50 people. Thanks to the town’s remote location and the fact that Great Basin is one of the least-visited national parks, this is also a great area for stargazing.
Getting There
Baker is connected by Nevada State Route 487. The drive isn’t treacherous or hard, it’s just remote. Baker is about an hour’s drive from Ely, Nevada. The closest airports are in Salt Lake City – about 3 hours and 45 minutes from Baker, and Las Vegas, about 4 hours and 15 minutes away.
Things to Do
There are lots of activities surrounding Great Basin National Park that you can do while staying in Baker. Explore the Lehman Caves, hike the Wheeler Peak Trail, and enjoy stargazing in the area. You can also explore historic sites like the Baker Archaeological Site, which preserves the remains of a Fremont Indian village, the Rhodes Cabin, and the Johnson Lake Mine Historic District, which showcases mining equipment and structures.
Camping Options
There are several campgrounds inside Great Basin. The Lower Lehman Creek Campground does not have hookups, but it’s a beautiful site with a stream, firs and junipers, and views of the limestone ridge. The campground can accommodate smaller RVs.
Wheeler Peak Campground at Great Basin allows RVs up to 24 feet long. You’ll get views of striking mountains and sweeping meadows at this scenic spot. There are no hookups, but there are pit toilets, fire rings, and grills.
About the Area
Baker is an excellent spot for stargazing because of its remote location. Also, be sure to find the impressively ancient bristlecone pine trees at Great Basin. Wildlife in the area includes deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, badgers, and yellow-bellied marmots. There are also more than 230 species of birds, plus lizards, snakes, and other amphibians.
Roundup, Montana
Roundup is in central Montana along the Musselshell River. It has just over 1,700 residents. The town got its name because it was a gathering point for cattle roundups in the 1800s.
Getting There
You can get to Roundup via U.S. Route 12 and Montana State Route 87. Billings is about 45 minutes south of Roundup, and is the closest larger city – about an hour away. Helena is about three hours away, via U.S. Route 12. Billings Logan International Airport is the closest airport to town at about an hour away.
Things to Do
You can fish along the Musselshell River, which has brown trout and catfish. Hunting is also a popular activity in the area, and people like to hunt for deer, antelope, and game birds. You can also float the river in a tube in the summertime. The mile-long Heritage Riverwalk is a great spot for bird watching. The Bull Mountains are south of Roundup and are. a great spot for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife watching. Areas around Roundup are also popular for rock and fossil hounds. Look for Yogo sapphires and Montana agates along with fossils.
The Musselshell Valley Historical Museum has exhibits teaching about the history of the area, which includes coal mining and cattle drives.
Finally, you might want to visit for the Roundup Independence Days Extravaganza (RIDE). It’s held each year around the Fourth of July, and there’s a parade, fireworks, live music, rodeos, and more. Each summer, the town also hosts Market on Main – a local farmers market for the area.
Camping Options
Cowtown RV Park has full hookups, a game room, showers, laundry facilities, a pool, and dog runs. The Cow Belles Camp Ground is at the Musselshell County Fairgrounds. The cost is donation only, and there are no hookups. Restrooms are available during warmer months.
About the Area
Roundup’s Old West charm makes it a quiet but intriguing stop for RV travelers. It’s not a trendy destination, so you’ll have a great blend of outdoor activities, historic sites, and laid-back, small-town quiet.
5. Libby, Montana
Libby is in the Kootenai Valley, surrounded by the Cabinet Mountains. It was part of a travel route for Indigenous People for centuries, and later became a logging and mining hub.
Getting There
Libby is located on U.S. Route 2, and is surrounded by the Kootenai National Forest. Kalispell is the closest larger town to Libby, and is about two hours away. The closest airport to Libby is in Kalispell as well.
Things to Do
There are lots of outdoor activities to try around Libby. The Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge is an exciting activity that gets you up close to the falls! Kootenai Falls is one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the northwest. The main falls are 30 feet high, and you can see them from the swinging bridge that spans the river.
The Cabinet Mountain Wilderness has lots of hiking trails, so you can spend a day exploring that beautiful area.
You can also tour the Libby Dam to learn about its engineering and construction.
Camping Options
Woodland RV Park has full hookups, showers, and laundry, and is tucked in among the pines in the Kootenai National Forest. The Libby Volunteer Fire Department Memorial Park and Campground has 15 tent and RV sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no hookups. Two Bit Outfit RV Park has full hookups, horseshoe pits, and on-site owners. The campground is also pet-friendly.
About the Area
Libby is known as the “City of Eagles” because of an abundance of bald eagles in the region. The area around Libby and the Kootenai National Forest is home to deer, elk, moose, and lots of birds. Along with bald eagles, you might spot peregrine falcons and a variety of other birds.
6. Hanksville, Utah
Hanksville is in southern Utah and is near some of the state’s most striking landscapes and outdoor activities. The town is just 45 minutes from Capitol Reef National Park and is just 12 miles from Goblin Valley State Park. The town of Hanksville is home to about 220 residents. Although it’s very small, it does have amenities for travelers, including gas stations, a grocery store, and restaurants.
Getting There
Hanksville is connected by Utah State Route 24, near Capitol Reef. Green River, Utah is a larger town that’s about 76 miles from Hanksville. Green River is right on I-70, so it has plenty of hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store. Moab is 123 miles from Hanksville.
Things to Do
Visitors to Hanksville can explore nearby Goblin Valley State Park. Hike among the hoodoos, or go mountain biking through the unusual rock formations in the area.
You can also drive through Cathedral Valley and enjoy the solitude of the Mars-like landscape. The Moonscape Overlook just west of Hanksville gives you surreal, lunar-like views over the badlands and is a popular photography spot. Hanksville is also close to numerous slot canyons, including Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyon. You can hike these narrow passages and marvel at the sheet canyon walls.
Finally, guests can visit the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry and see excavations of dinosaur fossils from the Jurassic period. Visitors will find lots of ATV, hiking, and mountain biking trails throughout the Hanksville area as well.
Camping Options
Duke’s RV Park has full hookups, showers, laundry, and a gift shop. Offroad RV Resort has full hookups, but no public bathrooms or laundry. There are also lots of BLM camping spots nearby, so plenty of people opt to boondock in the area.
About the Area
Hanksville’s remote location and unusual landscape make it a popular spot for researchers who are simulating Mars missions. The area is home to wildlife, including deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, lizards, rattlesnakes, and a variety of desert-loving birds.
7. Altonah, Utah
Altonah, Utah, in northeast Utah, is a high-altitude area at the base of the Uinta Mountains. The town is within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. The mountain area and nearby Ashley National Forest provide space for numerous outdoor activities.
Getting There
Altonah is reachable via Utah State Route 87, which is near the Ashley National Forest.
Things to Do
The region has numerous outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, and exploring the Uinta Mountains. You can explore Grandaddy Basin and Grandaddy Lake, Dead Horse Lake, and Kings Peak – the tallest peak in Utah at 13,528 feet. Red Castle Lakes is a beautiful area of red rock around several small lakes. It’s a 23-mile round-trip hike through alpine meadows and forests to get there and back, so you’ll want to be well-prepared!
There is also plenty of fishing in the Yellowstone and Lake Fork Rivers and in Moon Lake.
Altonah’s remote location also makes it a great spot for stargazing.
Camping Options
There are campgrounds within the Ashley National Forest that provide peaceful, nature-centered experiences. Most national forest campgrounds do not have hookups, although many have potable water and toilets. Some of those campgrounds include:
- Ashley National Forest Riverview Campground
- Moon Lake Campground
- Swift Creek Campground
- Uinta Canyon Campground
About the Area
Altonah is a quiet, agricultural town that’s perfect for people seeking complete solitude. You might spot animals like moose, bears, pronghorn antelope, and elk. You can also watch for birds like eagles, falcons, hawks, and owls.
8. Jordan Valley, Oregon
Jordan Valley is a small town near the Idaho border, with under 200 residents. The town sits at 4,385 feet, on a volcanic plateau formed from eruptions that happened about 150,000 years ago. There are craters to visit in the area, along with other outdoor activities and historic sites.
Getting There
Jordan Valley can be accessed by U.S. Route 95, near the remote Owyhee Canyonlands. Winnemucca, Nevada is perhaps the closest larger town and is 120 miles south of Jordan Valley. Boise, Idaho is 125 miles northeast. Boise Airport is the closest airport to fly into to reach Jordan Valley.
Things to Do
There are lots of outdoor activities for visitors in the Jordan Valley area. The Owyhee River has rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Natural hot springs at the confluence of the Owyhee River forks – the Three Forks Hot Springs – provide a secluded place to soak tired muscles. You can also visit the Pillars of Rome, which are massive rock formations that resemble Roman ruins and are about 30 miles north of town.
Leslie Gulch has rock formations and hiking trails and is a popular spot to explore as well.
Camping Options
The Succor Creek State Natural Area has primitive camping with spectacular views. Sunny Ridge RV Park has full hookups, showers, and is close to a gas station, coffee shop, and convenience store. Birch Creek Historic Ranch has five campsites and a water source, but is fairly primitive as well.
About the Area
The Jordan Valley region is known for its rugged beauty and unique volcanic formations. You can explore lava domes and calderas in the area. You can also watch for wildlife including deer, coyotes, mountain lions, and bobcats. Birds like eagles, hawks, and falcons soar through the skies as well.
9. Elko, Nevada
Elko is a high-desert town off of I-80. It has a mix of Western roots and culture and outdoor adventure. It’s the largest city in northeastern Nevada with wide stretches of open land nearby. It makes a convenient stop for people driving across the country on I-80, and also makes money from ranching and mining.
Getting There
Elko is on Interstate 80 and is about halfway between Salt Lake City and Reno. There is a small airport with commercial service to Salt Lake City. You could also fly into either the Reno-Tahoe International Airport or the Salt Lake City International Airport and drive the 230 miles to Ely from either direction.
Things to Do
Ely has lots of outdoor things to do. You can explore Lamoille Canyon or hike the Ruby Crest Trail. The Ruby Mountains have alpine lakes, wildflower-strewn meadows, and great backcountry skiing and hiking. There are also areas for hunting, fishing, and off-roading nearby.
Every January, Ely hosts the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering – a nationally recognized event that brings together ranchers, poets, and musicians to celebrate storytelling. If you’re interested in learning more about cowboys, the Western Folklife Center is in a historic hotel downtown and celebrates the American West.
Elko also has a strong Basque culture, due to the sheep herders who lived here in the early 20th century. You can find Basque restaurants in town.
Because this is Nevada, there are also casinos downtown, and you can try your luck at gambling.
Camping Options
The Elko KOA Journey has full hookups and a dog park. The Iron Horse RV Resort in Elko has full hookups, a pool and hot tub, shower, laundry, and a playground. There is also lots of dispersed camping available in the area if you want to boondock.
About the Area
Elko celebrates the town’s Western culture, with a focus on ranching and mining. The area also has wildlife including deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. Birds like sage grouse, sandhill cranes, and eagles also call the area home.
Boondocking: Remote Travel Close to Home
Many of these small towns offer even more remote experiences if you’re willing to boondock. Camping off the grid gets you further away from crowds and out where you can truly experience solitude. If you’re new to boondocking, be sure to check out The Expert Guide to Boondocking and Boondocking 101 to give you tips on how to get started. Plenty of RVshare rentals are well-outfitted to let you enjoy a. camping trip off the grid!
For RV travelers looking to truly get away from it all, these remote towns offer breathtaking landscapes, outdoor adventures, and peaceful campsites far from the chaos of city life. Pack your bags, gas up your RV, and prepare for a journey to some of the most secluded corners of the U.S.
