Part of the reason people love to call Montana home is that they feel like they’re getting away from it all, right? After all, our state is called the “Last Best Place” for a reason. Still, sometimes simply living in Montana isn’t enough. Sometimes even the mid-sized town you’re living in starts to feel too crowded and you decide you’re ready to really get away from it all.
These 10 towns are low in population and high in wide open spaces or mountainous terrain, depending on their locations. So when you need to escape from, well, everyone, pack up and move to one of them. Just don’t bring too many people with you… the locals like their small town status.
- Sidney
Tim Evanson / Flickr The Sunrise City of Montana is actually considered one of the best places in the state to live due to its low crime and economic stability which relies on farming, ranching and oil production.
- Baker
Don Barrett Baker is a quiet, peaceful town of about 1,750 people that borders North Dakota.
- Ekalaka
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Admittedly you won’t find much in this tiny town of 343. But if a nice, quiet life sounds appealing, Ekalaka might be the place for you.
- Circle
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr Circle is a charming little place. But before you go, know this: It’s 192 miles from the nearest Starbucks, making it the community farthest from the nearest Starbucks in the lower 48 states. The way you feel about that fact might help you decide whether or not you could live there.
- Emigrant
Craig Bennett / Flickr Emigrant is close to some of Montana’s bigger cities, like Bozeman. But only about 400 people call it home, and when the Yellowstone tourists dissipate it becomes much quieter.
- Sweet Grass
Marshall Drummond / Flickr This small community sits on the border between the U.S. and Canada. People may come and go as they’re passing through, but very few people actually call Sweet Grass home.
- Scobey
Trevor Manternach / Flickr According to historical marker author Bob Fletcher, Scobey was once the biggest shipping point of grain in the world. These days, it’s a sleepy little town of 1,017 people who also enjoy living a slow-paced life.
- Jefferson City
Tizer Gardens Jefferson City is only a 20 minute drive from Helena, but the tiny town of 300 people is a great little escape from the world. The Tizer Gardens are located there, so you can enjoy a daily stroll through the six acres of land if you decide to make it your home.
- Chinook
Holly Hayes / Flickr Chinook might be small, but it’s beautiful. The locals pride themselves on having one of the most livable communities in Montana. Everyone is friendly to tourists and visitors, but you can still find plenty of solitude in the area.
- Paradise
Jerry Huddleston / Flickr Only 184 people call Paradise home, so if you’re looking for seclusion this town will live up to its name. Its place on the Clark Fork River doesn’t hurt either.
Looking for a little charm in your next hometown? Check out some of Montana’s most charming small towns.
Tim Evanson / Flickr
The Sunrise City of Montana is actually considered one of the best places in the state to live due to its low crime and economic stability which relies on farming, ranching and oil production.
Don Barrett
Baker is a quiet, peaceful town of about 1,750 people that borders North Dakota.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Admittedly you won’t find much in this tiny town of 343. But if a nice, quiet life sounds appealing, Ekalaka might be the place for you.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Circle is a charming little place. But before you go, know this: It’s 192 miles from the nearest Starbucks, making it the community farthest from the nearest Starbucks in the lower 48 states. The way you feel about that fact might help you decide whether or not you could live there.
Craig Bennett / Flickr
Emigrant is close to some of Montana’s bigger cities, like Bozeman. But only about 400 people call it home, and when the Yellowstone tourists dissipate it becomes much quieter.
Marshall Drummond / Flickr
This small community sits on the border between the U.S. and Canada. People may come and go as they’re passing through, but very few people actually call Sweet Grass home.
Trevor Manternach / Flickr
According to historical marker author Bob Fletcher, Scobey was once the biggest shipping point of grain in the world. These days, it’s a sleepy little town of 1,017 people who also enjoy living a slow-paced life.
Tizer Gardens
Jefferson City is only a 20 minute drive from Helena, but the tiny town of 300 people is a great little escape from the world. The Tizer Gardens are located there, so you can enjoy a daily stroll through the six acres of land if you decide to make it your home.
Holly Hayes / Flickr
Chinook might be small, but it’s beautiful. The locals pride themselves on having one of the most livable communities in Montana. Everyone is friendly to tourists and visitors, but you can still find plenty of solitude in the area.
Jerry Huddleston / Flickr
Only 184 people call Paradise home, so if you’re looking for seclusion this town will live up to its name. Its place on the Clark Fork River doesn’t hurt either.
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