There’s nothing I quite enjoy more than escaping the busy, noisy urban life for a few days to find solace out in the rural parts of our state. It’s perfect for disconnecting from technology, clearing the mind, and returning to life with a new focus. Escaping out into the woods or on a week-long hike is what some people crave but for others, it means finding peace in a sleepy little town. Here are 8 fantastic Arizona towns that fit that description just right:
- Ash Fork
A Subset/Flickr
Dennis Yang/Flickr
Terry/Flickr This little town of 450 people sits along old Route 66 just west of Williams. Nearby stone quarries led to the town proclaiming itself to be the “Flagstone Capital of the World” and a title officially voted on in 2014 by the Arizona House of Representatives.
- Chloride
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Jake Slagle/Flickr
Paul Gorbould/Flickr Looking very different from Ash Fork, Chloride is as unique as it is small. Home to a mining population, Chloride is known for its very happening downtown scene (as seen in the first photo, this town is busy) and for the residents’ penchant for creating recycled art in their front yards.
- Dragoon
Catherine Mommsen Scott/Flickr
Romuel Landerpo/Flickr If you’re itching for a place that feels like you can disappear into the landscape without anyone finding you, Dragoon might be just the town for you. It has a population of 209 and the pretty mountains surrounded by grassy fields will make you feel like you’re the only one there.
- Munds Park
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr
Dagny Gromer/flickr
PRORightBrainPhotography/Flickr Or maybe disappearing into the pines is more your style. In that case, you’ll want to check out Munds Park, which sits just outside busy, busy Sedona but only has a population of 631. It looks like the perfect place to set up your own little (or big) cabin.
- Patagonia
Billandkent/Flickr
Phillip Capper/Flickr Picturesque and with a population just over 900, Patagonia is a lovely little town that looks exactly like the kind of place to retire to. The town is quiet and most stores close early but nothing quite beats those mountain views.
- Seligman
Terry/Flickr
ERICK LEVASSEUR/Flickr
GothEric/Flickr If you love Route 66, Seligman may be just the little town for you. It has a population of 456 and for decades has been a popular stop along the old highway. Before that, it was a stop for stagecoaches, the railroad, and a former Harvey House even sits in this town.
- Sonoita
Bill Morrow/Flickr
Robert Young/Flickr
Katie Moore/Flickr Just a few miles to the east from Patagonia, Sonoita has a similar small town atmosphere with an emphasis on wineries, ranching, and tourism. Things might be a little more raucous here but not by much.
- Strawberry
Alan Levine/Flickr
Alan Levine/Flickr Who wouldn’t want to go for a walk, take a nap, or live out the rest of their days in this little town. This is the largest small town on our list with a population of 1,028 and sits along the Mogollon Rim, with incredible views and towering pine trees. Sounds like paradise to me!
Weren’t those little places great? I dream of one day owning a little home out in northern Arizona where my cats can roam and my sheep and chickens can play all day. Until then, I’ll have to settle for short visits every couple of months to find that little bit of peace.
A Subset/Flickr
Dennis Yang/Flickr
Terry/Flickr
This little town of 450 people sits along old Route 66 just west of Williams. Nearby stone quarries led to the town proclaiming itself to be the “Flagstone Capital of the World” and a title officially voted on in 2014 by the Arizona House of Representatives.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Jake Slagle/Flickr
Paul Gorbould/Flickr
Looking very different from Ash Fork, Chloride is as unique as it is small. Home to a mining population, Chloride is known for its very happening downtown scene (as seen in the first photo, this town is busy) and for the residents’ penchant for creating recycled art in their front yards.
Catherine Mommsen Scott/Flickr
Romuel Landerpo/Flickr
If you’re itching for a place that feels like you can disappear into the landscape without anyone finding you, Dragoon might be just the town for you. It has a population of 209 and the pretty mountains surrounded by grassy fields will make you feel like you’re the only one there.
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr
Dagny Gromer/flickr
PRORightBrainPhotography/Flickr
Or maybe disappearing into the pines is more your style. In that case, you’ll want to check out Munds Park, which sits just outside busy, busy Sedona but only has a population of 631. It looks like the perfect place to set up your own little (or big) cabin.
Billandkent/Flickr
Phillip Capper/Flickr
Picturesque and with a population just over 900, Patagonia is a lovely little town that looks exactly like the kind of place to retire to. The town is quiet and most stores close early but nothing quite beats those mountain views.
ERICK LEVASSEUR/Flickr
GothEric/Flickr
If you love Route 66, Seligman may be just the little town for you. It has a population of 456 and for decades has been a popular stop along the old highway. Before that, it was a stop for stagecoaches, the railroad, and a former Harvey House even sits in this town.
Bill Morrow/Flickr
Robert Young/Flickr
Katie Moore/Flickr
Just a few miles to the east from Patagonia, Sonoita has a similar small town atmosphere with an emphasis on wineries, ranching, and tourism. Things might be a little more raucous here but not by much.
Alan Levine/Flickr
Who wouldn’t want to go for a walk, take a nap, or live out the rest of their days in this little town. This is the largest small town on our list with a population of 1,028 and sits along the Mogollon Rim, with incredible views and towering pine trees. Sounds like paradise to me!
If you want to find more peaceful, secluded areas in Arizona, you won’t want to miss our article 8 Peaceful and Secluded Places In Arizona When You Want To Get Away From It All.
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