One of my favorite things to do while traveling through Arizona is to see the tiny communities dotted along the roads, each one a close-knit community surrounded by vast open space. I like to see how each one expresses their hometown pride (some more obvious than others) and the quirks that make each stand out. However, some of these towns are so small, you can easily miss them in the mere seconds it takes to blink or yawn.
- Ash Fork
Thomas M. Rösner/Flickr Our list starts with this little town west of Flagstaff that can be easy to miss, unless you take the small turnoff from the highway. Ash Fork has a population of about 450 and is quite picturesque, which is probably why it as a major inspiration for the Disney film, Cars.
- Bitter Springs
Ondrej Pospisil/Flickr If you find yourself driving the highway up to Page, you’ll actually pass through landscapes that look just like this with houses dotted along the road. Bitter Springs is one of the little communities found sitting in the gorgeous landscape along Highway 89. You won’t find much out here other than some houses and maybe some street art on abandoned buildings.
- Cascabel
Jennie McStotts/Flickr It seems unfair to add a ghost town to this list but Cascabel sits near a creek and offers a pretty view between stray houses and abandoned adobe buildings. The post office here operated from 1916 to 1936.
- Cleator
Dagny Gromer/Flickr Another ghost town, Cleator sits along the little forest road that leads into the Bradshaw Mountains towards Crown King. You’ll still find a few buildings occupied so a stop here makes for an interesting time.
- Clints Well
Dagny Gromer/Flickr Here’s a place that will definitely be missed if you blink because there are only a few buildings you’ll see before driving by! Most people know Clints Well for the campground but people do live nearby and you can grab a bite at the Long Valley Cafe and fill up your gas tank before continuing on your way.
- Crown King
Cassandra Karas/Flickr Most people traveling this little forest road come for Crown King so hopefully you don’t somehow manage to miss it! Crown King has a population of about 130 and is best know for its historic saloon that sits just off the main road.
- Dateland
David Quigley/Flickr If you’ve ever driven along Interstate 8 between Phoenix and Yuma, then you’ll know Dateland for its, well, dates. This shopping center and rows of date palms are some of your only signs that people live out here. Don’t forget to stop for a date shake while you’re here!
- Jake’s Corner
Alan English CPA/Flickr Sitting alone along State Route 188, Jake’s Corner has a population of about 70 people living in the area. Here, you’ll find two businesses featuring the town’s name: Jake’s Corner Bar and Jake’s Corner General Store.
- Rye
Scott Griessel/Flickr This itty bitty town sits south of Payson just around the corner from the previous town. Rye has a small population that hasn’t quite reached 100 yet but it has a handful of businesses that welcome you to town.
- San Simon
tochichi/Flickr Driving along Interstate 10, this quiet little town is one of the few sights you’ll see just before driving into New Mexico. One good yawn might just have you miss seeing the little houses sitting just off the highway.
- Yucca
Derek Bruff/Flickr Home to this strange houses and the Chrysler Proving Grounds, Yucca is a little town sitting along Interstate 10 between Kingman and Needles. Don’t sneeze or yawn! You might miss seeing the town.
Think we missed your favorite tiny town? Don’t fret because we may have mentioned it before! Check out our article from last year, Most Arizonans Don’t Know These 10 Super Tiny Towns In Arizona Exist.
Thomas M. Rösner/Flickr
Our list starts with this little town west of Flagstaff that can be easy to miss, unless you take the small turnoff from the highway. Ash Fork has a population of about 450 and is quite picturesque, which is probably why it as a major inspiration for the Disney film, Cars.
Ondrej Pospisil/Flickr
If you find yourself driving the highway up to Page, you’ll actually pass through landscapes that look just like this with houses dotted along the road. Bitter Springs is one of the little communities found sitting in the gorgeous landscape along Highway 89. You won’t find much out here other than some houses and maybe some street art on abandoned buildings.
Jennie McStotts/Flickr
It seems unfair to add a ghost town to this list but Cascabel sits near a creek and offers a pretty view between stray houses and abandoned adobe buildings. The post office here operated from 1916 to 1936.
Dagny Gromer/Flickr
Another ghost town, Cleator sits along the little forest road that leads into the Bradshaw Mountains towards Crown King. You’ll still find a few buildings occupied so a stop here makes for an interesting time.
Here’s a place that will definitely be missed if you blink because there are only a few buildings you’ll see before driving by! Most people know Clints Well for the campground but people do live nearby and you can grab a bite at the Long Valley Cafe and fill up your gas tank before continuing on your way.
Cassandra Karas/Flickr
Most people traveling this little forest road come for Crown King so hopefully you don’t somehow manage to miss it! Crown King has a population of about 130 and is best know for its historic saloon that sits just off the main road.
David Quigley/Flickr
If you’ve ever driven along Interstate 8 between Phoenix and Yuma, then you’ll know Dateland for its, well, dates. This shopping center and rows of date palms are some of your only signs that people live out here. Don’t forget to stop for a date shake while you’re here!
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Sitting alone along State Route 188, Jake’s Corner has a population of about 70 people living in the area. Here, you’ll find two businesses featuring the town’s name: Jake’s Corner Bar and Jake’s Corner General Store.
Scott Griessel/Flickr
This itty bitty town sits south of Payson just around the corner from the previous town. Rye has a small population that hasn’t quite reached 100 yet but it has a handful of businesses that welcome you to town.
tochichi/Flickr
Driving along Interstate 10, this quiet little town is one of the few sights you’ll see just before driving into New Mexico. One good yawn might just have you miss seeing the little houses sitting just off the highway.
Derek Bruff/Flickr
Home to this strange houses and the Chrysler Proving Grounds, Yucca is a little town sitting along Interstate 10 between Kingman and Needles. Don’t sneeze or yawn! You might miss seeing the town.
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