6 Off-The-Grid Northern United States Towns To Visit In 2025
According to the 2020 Census, more than 87% of land in the United States is considered rural. Scattered across this vast rural stretch are quiet pockets of life: tiny communities where everyone seems to know one another and where the pace feels refreshingly different. Nowhere is this more evident than in the northern US, which is home to some of the most beautiful and unique rural towns. In the following six places, you won’t find large populations, but you will discover lakeside communities, remote island towns, and western towns full of cowboy spirit that provide a fresh look at life off the grid.
Coupeville, Washington
Coupeville may be less than two hours from Seattle, but its location along Penn Cove in the heart of Whidbey Island makes it feel worlds away from city life. Travelers can start their visit with a peaceful stroll along the historic Coupeville Wharf, home to a restaurant, boat dock, kayak rental, and gift shop. There are several parks to check out around town as well. Coupeville Town Park is just a six-minute walk from the wharf, a lush, 3.8-acre green space that is covered with mature evergreens and overlooks Penn Cove. If you are hoping to camp, consider spending the night at Fort Ebey State Park, a coastal camping park that is also home to a historic military fort and miles of hiking trails. For some hearty seafood, visitors can enjoy a meal at Callen’s, which serves signature dishes like Northwest clam chowder, Penn Cove mussels, and fresh Northwest Dungeness crab cakes.
Buffalo, Wyoming
Buffalo has an undeniable Western spirit, set where the Bighorn Mountains meet the Great Plains. There is plenty to do outdoors, particularly for hikers and bikers. If you are looking for a laid-back stroll or bikeride, head to the Clear Creek Trail, a popular, multi-use trail that extends for seven miles along a babbling creek. Just six miles northwest of town, travelers will also reach the Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area, a 7,900-acre preserve that features a stunning canyon hike, as well as opportunities to bike, horseback ride, and fish. Afterward, head back into town to check out some of the local art galleries. Potter’s Depot is a good starting point, selling handmade and locally produced pottery in its gallery. The Coyboy Bar & Grill is a great place to end the day, a beloved local bar with pub food, burgers, and drinks.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Moving further eastward, you will find the remote lakeside community of Grand Marais, which lies along the northwestern shores of Lake Superior. As the oldest art colony in the state, this town has the perfect blend of art and lake-related recreation. If you want to explore the art scene in town, you can start out at the Grand Marais Art Colony, which hosts rotating exhibitions and periodic art classes for those interested in learning a new skill. The Grand Marais Playhouse is a great place to enjoy a live show, with upcoming performances including The Spitfire Grill and The Foolish Fishgirls and the Pearl. Regarding outdoor beauty, make sure to visit Judge C.R. Magney State Park, which features scenic waterfalls and places to camp, hike, trout fish, and picnic. Travelers hoping to get out on the lake can rent a kayak or sign up for a tour with one of the town’s local and experienced outfitters, with Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply being a highly rated option.
Charlevoix, Michigan
Straddled between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan, Charlevoix feels almost completely surrounded by water. Just four miles from downtown, travelers can reach Fisherman's Island State Park, a fairly primitive area with over six miles of pristine shoreline, hiking trails, rolling dunes, and forest. If you prefer to stay close to town, Michigan Beach Park offers a white sandy beach, swimming area, walking trails, and a volleyball net. It also sits next to the Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse, a historic light built in 1948, and a perfect spot to watch the sunset. As night sweeps in, travelers can spend the evening at the Bridge Street Tap Room, which serves 32 different kinds of Michigan-made craft beer.
Ellicottville, New York
Home to fewer than 300 residents, you might not expect to find a lot in Ellicottville. However, the town is home to a surprising number of music festivals, resorts, and parks. On July 26 and 27 this year, the town will host its annual Jazz & Blues Weekend, where artists will perform on the streets, in restaurants, and in bars throughout the entire weekend. The annual Rock N’ Roll Weekend will occur a couple of months later in September, bringing in 15 regional bands to perform at local businesses, accompanied by a car and truck show. The Holiday Valley Resort is also situated in Ellicottville, making the town a haven for skiers in the winter with 60 slopes, 13 lifts, and a 750-foot vertical drop. Although not directly within the city limits, Allegany State Park is just a 20-minute drive from town and is the perfect place for camping, swimming, kayaking, and fishing.
Isle Au Haut, Maine
You won’t find a town much quieter than Isle Au Haut, a small town and island off of Maine’s coast, roughly 60% of which is part of Acadia National Park. The park has about 18 miles of hiking trails on the island that pass through a variety of natural features, including wooded uplands, bogs, marshes, rocky shorelines, and a freshwater lake. Travelers can also spend the night at Duck Harbor Campground, which offers five campsites from May through October. On particularly hot days, people often head to Long Pond, a freshwater pond that is popular for swimming and kayaking in the summer and skating and icefishing in the winter. Although you won’t find a lot of businesses on the island, you can buy fresh produce, dairy, meat, beer, wine, and other products at the charming Island Store, a waterfront grocer.
Final Thoughts
Across the Northern United States, you will find all kinds of destinations to visit. While large cities like New York and Chicago are some of the most popular for tourists, there is something to be said about the smaller communities that lie away from the commotion of this bustling lifestyle. These six towns are the perfect starting place if you are hoping to discover something well off the beaten track. Some communities, like Isle au Haut, can only be reached by ferry, while others, like Charlevoix, sit quietly between two peaceful lakes. Regardless of the town that draws you in, you are sure to have a rugged adventure full of surprises this year.
