The saying up here in the last frontier is that when you leave Anchorage, that’s where the “real Alaska” begins. Rural life focused on simple subsistence-based principles is what living in Alaska is all about. With an endless outdoor playground and a plethora of natural resources, it would be a shame to live in the city when it’s so easy to fall in love with the quiet remoteness and peaceful tranquility. Here are 20 photos that will prove that rural Alaska is the best place to live.

  1. Adak

Flickr - Kim F Heart Lake Falls is just one of the many treasures found on this remote island in the Aleutian chain.

  1. Angoon

Flickr - Joseph Located on the western side of Admiralty Island, Angoon is a fabulous place to enjoy fishing, bear viewing and living a simple yet happy lifestyle.

  1. Cooper Landing

Flickr - Ross Fowler Fish world-class rivers for salmon, rainbow trout and more. This town is truly an outdoor mecca on the Kenai Peninsula.

  1. Delta Junction

Flickr - David Casteel This decorative kale in the gardens at Sullivan’s Roadhouse is just one of the many sweet touches to enjoy in this small town located southeast of Fairbanks.

  1. Gambell

Flickr - NOAA’s National Ocean Service Located on St. Lawrence Island, Gambell is actually much closer to Siberia than the Alaska coastline. Pretty incredible, huh? There is tons of fun to have here including four-wheeling and enjoying the stunning sights of the Bering Sea from the beach.

  1. Hoonah

Flickr - Joseph This is one of Alaska’s greatest hidden gems. Located on Chichagof Island, Hoonah is filled with amazing people, rich history, delicious food and excellent fishing and hiking opportunities.

  1. Kaktovik

Flickr - Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Now this is the Alaska life. Located far north, Katovik is an excellent place to see polar bears and experience a town filled with pride for Alaska Native heritage.

  1. King Salmon

Flickr - Christoph Strässler Located on the Alaska peninsula, this town is the gateway to Katmai National Park. Bear viewing and access to world-class sockeye salmon fishing are what make this such a renowned place.

  1. McGrath

Flickr - Travis This village located on the Kuskokwim River is a quiet community with excellent areas to fish and snow-machine in the wintertime. The Iditarod race also comes through this community which brings a lot of love and respect for the state sport of dog mushing.

  1. Minto

Flickr - Dave Brenner Living off the grid and away from the hustle and bustle of the city lights is what it’s all about in Minto. Fishing and enjoying the great outdoors are of utmost importance to residents here.

  1. Mud Bay

Flickr - Rick Fogerty (aka Cowboy Rick) Disappear into the rainforest for the day and leave all the noise behind you. Mud Bay life is quiet and simple, exactly how we like it!

  1. Point Hope

Flickr - Josh Kellogg Far northern tundra and the freshest air in the world. Sign us up!

  1. Saxman

Flickr - mark byzewski Rich Alaskan culture, historic carvings and a beautiful backdrop make it easy to fall in love with rural Alaska.

  1. Seldovia

Flickr - Isaac Wedin Just a short boat ride from the more accessible town of Homer, this quaint little beachy town is filled with coastal charm and warm hospitality.

  1. Shishmaref

Flickr - Angela Sunset over those resting in peace is one of the most spiritual and tranquil things to witness. This small village is filled with pride for the land and the ancestors that homesteaded here.

  1. St. Paul

Flickr - D. Sikes This small town on the Aleutian chain is a birdwatching haven. The remote beach access with incredible marine life watching is also a fantastic sight to behold.

  1. Tanana

Flickr - FairbanksMike Living off the grid and off the land is what makes life so desirable in this small town with around 300 residents.

  1. Tok

Flickr - JLS Photography - Alaska Endless vistas without a soul in sight, Tok is the perfect place to be one with nature.

  1. Unalakleet

Flickr - Angela This northwestern village with around 700 residents is surrounded by water and some of the most incredible fisheries in the world.

  1. Whittier

Flickr - TravelingOtter With stunning views of waterfall and boat docks, taking a daily walk in this remote town is reason enough to want to live here year-round.

Have you ever visited any of these remote areas? Could you live off the grid in total isolation?

Flickr - Kim F

Heart Lake Falls is just one of the many treasures found on this remote island in the Aleutian chain.

Flickr - Joseph

Located on the western side of Admiralty Island, Angoon is a fabulous place to enjoy fishing, bear viewing and living a simple yet happy lifestyle.

Flickr - Ross Fowler

Fish world-class rivers for salmon, rainbow trout and more. This town is truly an outdoor mecca on the Kenai Peninsula.

Flickr - David Casteel

This decorative kale in the gardens at Sullivan’s Roadhouse is just one of the many sweet touches to enjoy in this small town located southeast of Fairbanks.

Flickr - NOAA’s National Ocean Service

Located on St. Lawrence Island, Gambell is actually much closer to Siberia than the Alaska coastline. Pretty incredible, huh? There is tons of fun to have here including four-wheeling and enjoying the stunning sights of the Bering Sea from the beach.

This is one of Alaska’s greatest hidden gems. Located on Chichagof Island, Hoonah is filled with amazing people, rich history, delicious food and excellent fishing and hiking opportunities.

Flickr - Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Now this is the Alaska life. Located far north, Katovik is an excellent place to see polar bears and experience a town filled with pride for Alaska Native heritage.

Flickr - Christoph Strässler

Located on the Alaska peninsula, this town is the gateway to Katmai National Park. Bear viewing and access to world-class sockeye salmon fishing are what make this such a renowned place.

Flickr - Travis

This village located on the Kuskokwim River is a quiet community with excellent areas to fish and snow-machine in the wintertime. The Iditarod race also comes through this community which brings a lot of love and respect for the state sport of dog mushing.

Flickr - Dave Brenner

Living off the grid and away from the hustle and bustle of the city lights is what it’s all about in Minto. Fishing and enjoying the great outdoors are of utmost importance to residents here.

Flickr - Rick Fogerty (aka Cowboy Rick)

Disappear into the rainforest for the day and leave all the noise behind you. Mud Bay life is quiet and simple, exactly how we like it!

Flickr - Josh Kellogg

Far northern tundra and the freshest air in the world. Sign us up!

Flickr - mark byzewski

Rich Alaskan culture, historic carvings and a beautiful backdrop make it easy to fall in love with rural Alaska.

Flickr - Isaac Wedin

Just a short boat ride from the more accessible town of Homer, this quaint little beachy town is filled with coastal charm and warm hospitality.

Flickr - Angela

Sunset over those resting in peace is one of the most spiritual and tranquil things to witness. This small village is filled with pride for the land and the ancestors that homesteaded here.

Flickr - D. Sikes

This small town on the Aleutian chain is a birdwatching haven. The remote beach access with incredible marine life watching is also a fantastic sight to behold.

Flickr - FairbanksMike

Living off the grid and off the land is what makes life so desirable in this small town with around 300 residents.

Flickr - JLS Photography - Alaska

Endless vistas without a soul in sight, Tok is the perfect place to be one with nature.

This northwestern village with around 700 residents is surrounded by water and some of the most incredible fisheries in the world.

Flickr - TravelingOtter

With stunning views of waterfall and boat docks, taking a daily walk in this remote town is reason enough to want to live here year-round.

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