6 Quietest Small Towns Near Mesa

The sparsely populated areas surrounding Mesa, Arizona (besides Phoenix, of course), contain several small towns that maintain a relaxed pace while also providing ample access to the region's arid, yet beautiful, desert landscapes, historic sites, and outdoor recreational areas. From hidden petroglyphs and low-traffic hiking trails to preserved mining towns and botanical gardens, these communities offer ways for you to explore without the crowds of larger cities.

Each destination below also provides other unique attractions alongside modest lodging options, should you wish to extend your stay, making them all excellent little spots for travelers seeking a peaceful experience in the Southwest.

Wickenburg

Wickenburg can be found northwest of Mesa and supports a sort of agricultural tourism industry through its historic district and rural desert surroundings. For one, the Sigler Western Museum is located smack dab in the center of town, presenting regional art and a plethora of exhibits based primarily on the region's early ranching culture.

Downtown Wickenburg also contains a number of small galleries and the restored Saguaro Theatre, a locale that hosts periodic film events. For more on the area's history, southwest of Wickenburg lies the Vulture City Ghost Town, which now offers guided access to its original old-timey mining structures.

When the weather permits, visitors often opt to walk the paved route along the Hassayampa River Preserve, known as a vital bird habitat, with its shaded waterside areas providing cover for both man and animal. Using any one of the preserve’s short trails makes for a pleasant outing away from the heavier traffic found closer to Phoenix. Horseback riding is common on nearby public lands as well, with several trail providers operating from ranch properties on the outskirts.

Amenities in Wickenburg range from small motels to larger guest ranches, with Rancho de los Caballeros providing a quiet (although sometimes pricey) overnight option paired with onsite trails and broad desert viewpoints perfect for a sunset or sunrise.

Superior

Superior, east of Mesa along U.S. 60, is a mining town bordered by sharp canyon walls and easy access to notable outdoor sites. Many visitors begin at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, which functions as a living field guide to desert ecosystems. These locally curated trails move through picturesque mesas, basalt outcrops, and shaded riparian pockets fed by Queen Creek, giving you a mix of interesting local botany and other viewing areas to peep the region's hardy wildlife.

If you're more interested in geology, however, make a drive toward Queen Creek Canyon, where roadside pullouts provide direct views of volcanic formations and exposed fault layers. Another option to spend time outdoors is on the Legends of Superior Trail, which links multiple segments of older travel routes and leads to more canyon lookouts.

In the center of town, a number of small businesses and preserved structures outline Superior’s once thriving mining industry, while several murals document more recent community projects. If you intend on using this core area as an overnight base, the Copper Mountain Motel supplies simple rooms within walking distance of several local restaurants and even a few trailhead access points (namely the Superior History Trail across the highway).

Gila Bend

Gila Bend, located southwest of Mesa along Interstate 8, is a remote farming community that serves as a gateway to the Sonoran Desert’s open landscapes. The town is notable for its proximity to the Gila Bend Mountains and the Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground, where you are free to view ancient Hohokam rock art along a series of short interpretive trails. Keep your eyes peeled here for desert-dwelling animals in the surrounding wildernesses, with opportunities to spot raptors, javelina, and native desert flora. The nearby Sonoran Desert National Monument also provides space for dispersed hiking and primitive camping areas away from crowds.

Gila Bend’s meager downtown simply lines the Historic U.S. Route 80, but it offers a few local diners, cafes, and mouthwatering Mexican food joints, such as Sofia's Mexican Food, for travelers passing through. There are even a handful of decent hotels, like the UFO-themed Best Western Space Age Lodge (with its own "Space Age Restaurant" serving as an easy way to grab breakfast in the morning) or the more down-to-earth Palms Inn next door.

Carefree

You don't necessarily need to leave the confines of the Phoenix metro to find an interesting little town to explore. Carefree, located just north of Scottsdale, is a residential community set against the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert, defined by encroaching mountain ranges, low-traffic streets, and access to several scenic trails nearby.

Black Mountain Trail and Tom’s Thumb Trail provide moderate routes with expansive viewpoints and granite outcrops to scramble over. Nearby, Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area extends several more miles of trails through desert washes and limestone formations, suitable for both hiking on foot and horseback riding. For a more relaxed outing, however, the Carefree Desert Garden offers flat and easy walking paths with native plants around every corner and seasonal blooms drawing in green thumbs from all around.

The downtown area of Carefree features the Sundial Plaza, where a collection of art galleries, a mall, boutique shops, and small eateries cluster to form a highly walkable city center, with none other than the Carefree Sundial serving as its main landmark and popular meeting point for locals. Visitors seeking overnight stays can use the Hampton Inn Carefree, which offers simple rooms steps away from the plaza.

All in all, this interestingly named community is a practical base for exploring both the desert and downtown Mesa or Phoenix, especially if you value quiet time at night.

Black Canyon City

Black Canyon City sits about an hour's drive north of Mesa and functions as quite the low-key destination for travelers interested in exploring a quiet desert terrain reminiscent of something from an old Western movie. This community of about 2,300 residents is bordered by the Agua Fria National Monument, where you can access ancient petroglyph sites in the Black Mesa area and view preserved pueblo remnants along designated trails.

Moreover, the segment of the Maricopa Trail running near town gives avid hikers a straightforward route for short day outings without heavy traffic. A short drive south also leads to the Table Mesa Recreation Area, known for its dispersed camping zones and off-highway vehicle routes. Overall, it's a nice place for multiple kinds of outdoor adventure.

Food stops here are limited but reliable; the famous Rock Springs Café is the primary locale for travelers passing through. Lodging is also fairly modest in scale. Those on the lookout for a simple/budget-friendly overnight option can use the nearby Black Canyon Campground or book a room at one of the few B&Bs downtown.

Cordes Lakes

Another 20 to 30 minutes north of Black Canyon City is Cordes Lakes, which also sits near the junction of I-17 and State Route 69 and serves as a quiet base for reaching lesser-used desert and chaparral terrain between the Bradshaw Mountains and the Agua Fria River. Off-highway routes east of town lead toward the upper Agua Fria drainage, giving hikers and wildlife watchers open space without the congestion found along other major recreation hubs in the state. A 40-minute drive north brings you to the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary in Prescott Valley for additional activities.

Visitors often come to the area to tour Arcosanti, a mostly abandoned, experimental town where guides can explain the site’s unique architecture amid scenic overlooks of the surrounding mesa. Besides the Cordes Junction Motel & RV Park, overnight amenities in Cordes Lakes are limited, but the aforementioned Arcosanti does, in fact, rent out some of its space for nightly stays these days, a highly unique experience in its own right.

See the Quiet Side of Arizona Today

These six small towns within driving distance of Mesa offer a retreat from the city's urban hustle and bustle, each with distinct natural, historical, or cultural highlights for you to appreciate pretty much all year long. From desert trails and idyllic wildlife viewing areas to museums and maintained gardens, these communities will surely provide enriching experiences in peaceful settings. With modest lodging and easy access to surrounding attractions as well, they serve as ideal bases for anyone seeking both exploration and tranquility while travelling the Southwest.