Are you longing to take a break from your current life? Perhaps to get away to a place where…everybody knows your name? (Cue “Cheers” theme song.) Whether you’re looking for a short vacation escape or scenery for a new life, you will want to check out these small towns in Arizona. Each has a population less than 2,000 (because who has the time to memorize more than 2,000 names?) and offer that small town ambiance you just might be looking for.
- Alpine
Denny Armstrong/Flickr This little eastern Arizona mountain town sits at the edge of the White Mountains and is a picturesque little place. The 2010 census noted the town had a population of 145, making this a charming little spot to start our list!
- Chloride
Haydn Blackey/Flickr Here’s a little town that is both quiet and a little odd with its murals, yard art, and potential ghost town status. Once a thriving mining town, Chloride today has a population that today lingers around 271. If you’re a Louis L’Amour fan, you’ll also want to stop by since he briefly stayed here in the late 1920s.
- Fredonia
Ken Lund/Flickr If you have a desire to head north, this is the farthest spot you can go in Arizona before crossing the Utah border. The 2010 population was 1,314 and it sits among some beautiful landscapes, including the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
- Gila Bend
Wikimedia Commons With a humorous town welcoming sign like this, who wouldn’t want to stop by? The population numbers are a little outdated (the town’s population was 1,922 in 2010) and if you also find yourself to be an old curmudgeon, this place might feel like home.
- Greer
Arizona Traveler/Flickr With a population of just 41, you’re pretty much looking at the extent of the town in this photo! Greer is located in the White Mountains and I’ll be surprised if you don’t know everyone within your first few days here.
- Huachuca City
David Leoarnd/Flickr This little town with a population of 1,853 people also happens to be one of the safest in the state. In 2013 the town only had 13 reported crimes!
- Jerome
Ken Lund/Flickr This little living ghost town has both personality and an incredible reputation to make it feel like home. It has a small but lively population of 444 but if you count the ghosts you may encounter here, you might find the population to be a bit larger.
- Miami
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr This little spot near Globe is a classic boomtown that today has a population of 1,837. Mining life is still in full force here and you can catch a glimpse of the old days in the architecture, antique shops, and museum in town.
- Oatman
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr Here’s another mining boomtown that still exists today. Oatman’s population rests at 135 and the western Arizona town is best known for its wild burros, Wild West atmosphere, and Route 66 location.
- Patagonia
billandkent/Flickr Nestled in the mountains of the same name, Patagonia is a small town with a population of 913. The natural beauty you’ll find here is a perfect little spot for retirees, artists, and nature lovers.
- Pine
Alan Levine/Flickr Driving north along the 87, this will be the first little town you encounter after leaving Payson. The picture perfect pines, winding mountain feel, and relatively small population (1,963 as of 2010) make it a great escape.
- Sonoita
Bill Morrow/Flickr This town is located just north of Patagonia along State Route 82 and is slightly smaller with a population of 818. One of its most popular attractions is the wine trail—the town is home to 12 wineries you can visit along the trail.
- Strawberry
Alan English CPA/Flickr Sitting a few miles north of Pine, Strawberry is a smaller version with a similar mountain town feel. The town has a population of 961 and has a lot of history sitting just beyond the highway.
- Tubac
velo_city/Flickr This little town south of Tucson has a population of 1,191 and sits right in between some pretty mountain ranges. If you’re artsy, a retiree, or simply love history, Tubac may be just the little slice of heaven you’re looking for.
Are there any other Arizona small towns you would add to this list?
Denny Armstrong/Flickr
This little eastern Arizona mountain town sits at the edge of the White Mountains and is a picturesque little place. The 2010 census noted the town had a population of 145, making this a charming little spot to start our list!
Haydn Blackey/Flickr
Here’s a little town that is both quiet and a little odd with its murals, yard art, and potential ghost town status. Once a thriving mining town, Chloride today has a population that today lingers around 271. If you’re a Louis L’Amour fan, you’ll also want to stop by since he briefly stayed here in the late 1920s.
Ken Lund/Flickr
If you have a desire to head north, this is the farthest spot you can go in Arizona before crossing the Utah border. The 2010 population was 1,314 and it sits among some beautiful landscapes, including the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
Wikimedia Commons
With a humorous town welcoming sign like this, who wouldn’t want to stop by? The population numbers are a little outdated (the town’s population was 1,922 in 2010) and if you also find yourself to be an old curmudgeon, this place might feel like home.
Arizona Traveler/Flickr
With a population of just 41, you’re pretty much looking at the extent of the town in this photo! Greer is located in the White Mountains and I’ll be surprised if you don’t know everyone within your first few days here.
David Leoarnd/Flickr
This little town with a population of 1,853 people also happens to be one of the safest in the state. In 2013 the town only had 13 reported crimes!
This little living ghost town has both personality and an incredible reputation to make it feel like home. It has a small but lively population of 444 but if you count the ghosts you may encounter here, you might find the population to be a bit larger.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
This little spot near Globe is a classic boomtown that today has a population of 1,837. Mining life is still in full force here and you can catch a glimpse of the old days in the architecture, antique shops, and museum in town.
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr
Here’s another mining boomtown that still exists today. Oatman’s population rests at 135 and the western Arizona town is best known for its wild burros, Wild West atmosphere, and Route 66 location.
billandkent/Flickr
Nestled in the mountains of the same name, Patagonia is a small town with a population of 913. The natural beauty you’ll find here is a perfect little spot for retirees, artists, and nature lovers.
Alan Levine/Flickr
Driving north along the 87, this will be the first little town you encounter after leaving Payson. The picture perfect pines, winding mountain feel, and relatively small population (1,963 as of 2010) make it a great escape.
Bill Morrow/Flickr
This town is located just north of Patagonia along State Route 82 and is slightly smaller with a population of 818. One of its most popular attractions is the wine trail—the town is home to 12 wineries you can visit along the trail.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Sitting a few miles north of Pine, Strawberry is a smaller version with a similar mountain town feel. The town has a population of 961 and has a lot of history sitting just beyond the highway.
velo_city/Flickr
This little town south of Tucson has a population of 1,191 and sits right in between some pretty mountain ranges. If you’re artsy, a retiree, or simply love history, Tubac may be just the little slice of heaven you’re looking for.
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