10 Off-The-Grid The United States Towns To Visit In 2026
Off-the-grid travel in America does not have to mean roughing it. It can mean a small town with one great rodeo, a national park at sunrise, or a river full of salmon, just without the crowds and the chain hotels. Lander, Wyoming, hosts the oldest paid rodeo in the country every Fourth of July, with the Wind River Range rising at the edge of town. In Moab, Utah, you can watch the sun come up over Delicate Arch and still be back for breakfast, and up in Kenai, Alaska, the river runs thick with salmon while beluga whales surface off the bluff. These are ten off-the-grid American towns worth the drive this year.
Las Vegas, New Mexico
New Mexico's Las Vegas steers away from glitz and glamor and instead offers a Western atmosphere. Sitting at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this Old West vibe combines with American, Spanish, and Mexican culture, particularly at the historic Plaza. Here, several Spanish Colonial-style buildings still stand tall, and the plaza is also home to the Victorian-style Plaza Hotel. Five minutes away, the 1898 Castaneda Hotel offers more accommodation. Eating at Olivia's Cafe is a long-standing tradition in Las Vegas before exploring what this off-the-grid town has to offer. The cafe's Norteno food hits just the right spot before heading to the different shops and bookstores that line the streets in the historic district. Afterward, there are two National Forests that await just outside of downtown. The Santa Fe National Forest features hiking trails on the Las Vegas side that extend into the Pecos Wilderness. The Carson National Forest sits further north and is ideal for trout fishing. There is also more than enough camping space along the Gallinas River, which lies along the Santa Fe Trail.
Kenai, Alaska
Alaska is one of the most off-the-grid states in the U.S., and Kenai is one of its most underappreciated towns. Yet, it is one of the best places to see wildlife and disconnect from the busy city life. Kenai sits on the Kenai River, where anglers fish for hours, catching salmon. Those who do not fish can go rafting or canoeing in Cook Inlet, where there are four boat launch ramps. There are also beaches here for camping and relaxing, namely the North and South beaches. The coastal bluff is home to the Beluga Whale Lookout where visitors and locals gather during the spring and summer to spot whales and harbor seals. Other animals often seen in the area include caribou, moose, eagles, and bears. More year-round activities that draw people include hiking the Skyline Trail in Cooper Landing, which leads to a summit where a view of volcanoes, mountains, and the inlet opens up. Kenai also offers aerial sightseeing through companies like Kenai Aviation, allowing people to see the surrounding glaciers and wildlife from the air.
Lander, Wyoming
Butch Cassidy is one of the most famous inhabitants of the small town of Lander in Wyoming. As such, the Fremont County Pioneer Museum features fascinating displays about the outlaw's life, as well as exhibits on other Lander residents who lived here long ago. Those who take the detour to Lander can stop at the Sinks Canyon State Park first to see the 'Sinks,' which is the site where the Popo Agie River vanishes underground and reappears a short distance away. Lander is also at the base of the Wind River Mountain range, one of the most beautiful sights in the state. Visitors can hike up to Popo Agie Falls or mountain bike the trails at Johnny Behind the Rocks. In the town itself, the Western feel is authentic rather than overly touristy. There is cold beer at the 1907 Lander Bar & Grill and freshly baked bread at the Lincoln Street Bakery. Those who visit during the summer can catch the Pioneer Days Rodeo (the oldest paid rodeo in the world) and the Lander Brewfest, which features dozens of breweries.
Alpine, Texas
Alpine is an ideal stopover destination on the way to the Big Bend National Park, one of the most remote national parks in Texas. Those who end up here often stay a couple of days and hike the Sul Ross State University's campus trail. The trailhead sits behind Mountainside Hall, and the trail leads up Hancock Hill, where there is a desk with a hidden notebook. Hikers can leave their own inspiring words in the notebook for the next visitors to read. On campus is the Museum of the Big Bend, which offers exhibits and displays focused on the culture and history of the Big Bend area. In downtown Alpine, Alcove Social offers craft cocktails and shared plates. Reata Restaurant is great for fine dining before retiring for the night at the Holland Hotel. Those heading to Big Bend National Park after their Alpine visit can expect more than 150 miles of desert and mountain hiking trails, as well as ample camping space.
Livingston, Montana
Livingston is one of Montana's best bases to explore Yellowstone National Park, but there are lots of reasons to linger a bit first. This off-the-grid town also has a Western feel, with buildings such as the 1902 Livingston Depot Center, a former train station and current museum. It was originally the Northern Pacific Railroad's launching point for those traveling to Yellowstone. Today, the building houses several historic exhibits, a gourmet cellar, and the Northern Pacific Beanery, where visitors can enjoy a great breakfast. The historic Murray Bar offers 16 different beers plus lunch and dinner. Pine Creek Lodge is a place to be for live music and offers rustic cabin accommodations. Livingston sits along the Yellowstone River, one of the best places for fly fishing. Visitors can also raft through Paradise Valley or take a drive to Chico Hot Springs to enjoy the natural warm pools.
Moab, Utah
Moab might be off the beaten track, so to speak, but it offers some of the best national parks and outdoor adventures in the country. Arches National Park is the perfect place to watch the sun rise, especially from Delicate Arch. The park also offers 4x4 tours to see the far reaches of the desert. Those interested in dinosaurs can take the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail, which lies in the Morrison Formation just north of Moab. Fossilized dinosaur bones and footprints dot the trail, including that of Utah's state fossil, the Allosaurus. Those traveling with kids can have half a day's fun at Moab Giants, where there are dino exhibits to see. During the festive season, the dinosaur sculptures form part of the Electric Light Parade. After a day of outdoor fun, Trailhead eatery awaits with specialty burgers and beer.
Stowe, Vermont
Fall and winter are the best times to explore Stowe. The temperatures are much milder, making it easier to hike the Moss Glen Falls trail or the Bingham Falls trail in Smugglers' Notch State Park. The Smugglers' Notch mountain pass runs through the Green Mountains with cliffs rising on each side to a height of nearly 1,000 feet. Some of the most popular activities in the park include biking, ice climbing, cave exploring, and hiking. In town, the Stowe Recreation Path runs past several scenic outlooks. The path stretches from the village to the Topnotch Resort on the Mountain Road, offering mountain views and access to eateries and accommodation. Fall is also a good time to take a horse-drawn carriage ride in Stowe to see the changing leaves in the surrounding forest. And visitors can stay at the Trapp Family Lodge, built in the Austrian style, right in the middle of the foliage that turns yellow and orange every year.
Berea, Kentucky
Berea is a small town off Interstate 75 and is perhaps best known for its local college and Appalachian crafts. Berea College hosts seasonal tours so visitors can see campus landmarks and historic buildings. They will also learn more about the town's craft tradition, which saw the establishment of a Student Craft Program in 1893. The program continues to teach woodworking, broom-making, and pottery. Afterward, many people head to Papaleno's Restaurant for a late lunch. The restaurant sits in College Square and prepares fresh garlic bread, pasta, and pizza every day. There are outdoor scenes aplenty to admire along the Indian Fort Trails (Pinnacles) within the Berea College Forest. The trails lead to points such as the Indian Fort Lookout and Eagle's Nest. Those who head to Berea during the summer can browse the Berea Farmers Market with its packed stalls filled with farm goods, flowers, and crafts. The college also boasts its own planetarium, where people can attend presentations on weekends.
Yreka, California
Downtown Yreka's Miner Street dates back to the 1800s when the town was in the midst of the Gold Rush. Many of the historic buildings here still feature the same old signs and brickwork. The Franco-American Hotel was built in 1854 to house French immigrants and today is a privately owned building filled with vintage memorabilia. At the Siskiyou County Museum, several exhibits and artifacts date back to the railroad era and pioneer life. Yreka's outdoor offerings are in the form of Greenhorn Park, which is divided into Upper Greenhorn and Lower Greenhorn. The upper area provides access to the reservoir path and picnic areas. The lower section is where the hiking trail and water are. People can fish from the reservoir shore or enjoy the disc golf course. Yreka also hosts the Let's Roam scavenger hunt, which lets people explore the town using an app that guides them through clues to find historic landmarks. And, those who want to see what the nightlife is like in Yreka can head to the Siskiyou Performing Arts Center to catch a music performance or play.
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton has its own mining history and offers a tour of the Quincy Mine, which forms part of the Keweenaw National Historical Park. The Adventure Mining Company offers the chance to rappel into an old copper mine, and for the kids, there is the Chutes and Ladders Playground along the waterfront west of downtown. The waterfront features a paved path for strolling, and the area is home to the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum where visitors can see glowing rocks and a 19-ton piece of copper pulled from Lake Superior. In downtown Houghton, cold pints await at the Keweenaw Brewing Company, and Roy's Bakery offers U.P. pasties (a savory meat and potato pastry). Hockey fanatics can check out Dee Stadium, known as the birthplace of professional hockey. Those making their way through Houghton in December can also admire the snow statues that form part of the annual Winter Carnival and are built by Michigan Tech students.
Plan Your Small-Town Escape
These small towns throughout the U.S. are truly special. In each one, you can either hike or explore historic buildings. There is good food to be found in downtown centers and dinosaur tracks to follow. Not to mention the incredible scenery from mountains to shores to valleys. Pick one or more of these destinations for your next trip and enjoy the best that America has to offer.
