8 Tiny Off-Grid Towns In Arkansas
If you are looking to take on off-grid living, Arkansas might be the pick for you. There's Calico Rock, shaped by the outdoor majesty of the Ozark Mountains, and the White River flowing past it offers one of the state's finest trout fishing opportunities. Leslie, a former railroad town, is located within the incredibly rugged Boston Mountains and is famed as the country's Whittling Capital. These towns are just the tip of the iceberg. Continue reading to discover 8 tiny off-grid towns in Arkansas.
Boonville
A resilient community in the Arkansas River Valley between the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains, Boonville is a slow-paced town of less than 4,000, reputed to be among the oldest in Western Arkansas. Its founding dates back to the 1820s, although it was incorporated much later in 1878. The Rock Island Line, which had been the economic lifeline of the town for a long time, closed permanently in 1980. The closure left Booneville as the largest town in Arkansas not serviced by rail or the Interstate Highway system. In certain respects, this isolation is reminiscent of Boonville’s situation between its founding and the construction of the first rail line. Still, with landmarks like the Petit Jean River (learn about the intriguing folklore associated with it), Ozark National Forest, Ouachita National Forest, Blue Mountain Lake, and the 2,753-foot-tall Mount Magazine, the tallest mountain between the Appalachian and Rocky mountains, Boonville is certainly worth discovering. Plus, of course, Reid's Hometown Barbecue offers one of the best barbecue experiences in the state.
Salem
Four communities in Arkansas bear the name “Salem,” a Hebrew word for “peace.” The one in Fulton County is just 10 miles south of the Missouri border at the foothills of Pilot Knob, named for its role in guiding early explorers and settlers through the rugged terrain of the Ozarks. Salem is typically the place to be during mid- March and a few weeks after, especially to see the thousands of tulips in bloom, a colorful show that will give you the cheer you need to start a new week. Also, starting this April, Salem will convene Cruzin' the Fairgrounds, a first annual car, truck, and bike show. The Tri-County Shirt Factory, which closed down in 2001, used to be one of the biggest employers in the area. However, the town still bustles with life and has several interesting things to keep one busy. Check the Fulton County Library if you want to quickly catch up on a task, enjoy some down-home Southern breakfast at Swingle's Family Diner, then work your way to Salem City Park, and walk the track around the lake. It’s a neat, peaceful spot for an hour of calm and clarity.
Mena
Mena is a paradise of antique enthusiasts and a peaceful, laid-back community surrounded by the quiet majesty of the Ouachita National Forest. It boasts a concentrated but walkable shopping district, meaning many antique stores are close to each other, making it easy to cover a lot of ground in a single visit. OLD BANK ANTIQUES is filled with quirky gifts and a variety of kitchenware, as well as fabrics, lamps, and an awesome assortment of beautiful jewelry. There’s Mena Flea Market, an indoor flea market featuring several different booths and sellers, and Northside Flea Market, a cool place along US-71 to admire antiques, home decor items, tools, and even car parts. You wouldn’t want to miss the Kansas City Southern Depot, a great little museum with items dating back to the 1900s, including a restored 1939 Dodge police car right in front.
Kingston
People love Kingston for its pure Ozarks solitude and small town square lined with historical buildings featuring incredible architecture. One of these was the famous Bunch Store, a historic two-story frame built in 1890 as a shopping stop of the general variety. Tucked in the artful beauty of the Buffalo River valley, it was recently known as the Kingston Square Arts, showcasing the unique talents of Ozarks artists, most of whom lived very close by. The Waltons have since bought the property, and residents are waiting to see what they will turn it into. If you need an intimate outdoor experience, the Sweden Creek Falls Trail is a peaceful escape leading hikers and their furry friends to a seasonal waterfall deep in the woods. Alternatively, the Eden Falls Trail winds through Lost Valley, ending at a glittering cascade and a hidden cave perfect for peaceful exploration. There is a “graveyard of vintage Volkswagens a few miles from town that was called Way Out Salvage. It is today known as the “D&B Air-Cooled VW Collection” and is managed as a private collection on an appointment-only, pre-contact basis. Make sure you check it out.
Calico Rock
Set along the banks of the White River, Calico Rock has always been shaped by the rugged Ozark Mountains and the spirit of the people who call it home. The world-famous White River flows turbulently along the town’s southern edge and adds to the rustic atmosphere that visitors find therapeutic. The river has been offering some of the finest trout fishing opportunities in the country for over 70 years, and it still keeps that reputation with its steady seasonal hatches and a thriving population of healthy, hard-fighting trout that continue to draw anglers from around the state. Announce your arrival at the Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center, especially if you love local history and artifacts, then proceed to Calico Rock Trout Dock, a well-established charter offering guided fishing trips, guided boat rides, and convenient boat rentals. There’s a big chance you will enjoy walking around the Calico Rock Historic District, which offers a curated, authentic look at early 20th-century Ozark life. Also, other than its shrimp and catfish reputation, Between the Buns Bar & Grill has a unique bar area seating not seen in many places.
Leslie
Leslie is a former railroad town located within the Boston Mountains, the most rugged subset of the Ozarks. People recognize Leslie as the Whittling Capital of America, a title it proudly honors each September with the Whittlin’ and Fiddlin’ Festival, most recently promoted as showcasing the most whittlers’ whittling at the same time, in the same place. It may not happen, but don’t be surprised to find guys whittling on Main Street and enjoying every bit of it. Sample sourdough bread from Serenity Farm Bread, where you will have the opportunity to watch bread being removed from an on-site brick oven, then cross the street directly to Cove Creek Emporium, an adorable antique shop and coffee bar with a welcoming, down-home atmosphere, displaying an eclectic collection of well-chosen furniture, colorful clothing, textiles, used gardening books, and more. A few steps ahead is the Morrisette Pottery, where every piece of pottery is created and completed by the owner.
Mount Ida
Did you know that Arkansas once mined 99% of the quartz in the United States and that Mount Ida was a nerve center of the nation’s quartz industry, supplying high-quality crystals for almost everything you can imagine, whether jewelry or critical wartime electronics? As you drive into this small Ouachita Mountain town, about 93 miles west of Little Rock, you will notice gem shops lining the roads, rows of dusty mining sluice boxes, and other tell-tale signs of the town’s quartz heritage. There’s Jay's Crystal Bonanza, where stepping inside feels like entering a secret museum, Wegener Crystal Mines, a 40-acre open-air mine, where you can dig for your own crystals at a working mine, and Mt. Ida Cafe, a convenient place for breakfast before heading out to dig for crystals in the area. But there’s one thing to keep in mind: Crystal mining is hard work.
Maynard
Any town with a population of 379 will look and feel off-grid. But other than being small. Maynard is located in a deeply rural area of Randolph County in the northeastern part of the state. Jonesboro, the nearest city of any real size, is an hour away. You will find a few churches, minimal financial services ( residents rely on nearby Pocahontas for banking), and a small post office. The Maynard Pioneer Park and Museum, one of the area’s well-known attractions, is famous for preserving local Ozark heritage and features a restored 1800s log cabin and a decent assortment of interesting artifacts. You will want to see the old concrete jail located behind the Maynard Community Center, enjoy a hearty meal at Little Star Cafe, or explore the wide variety of items at M & M Farm & Lumber, a grassroots business with just a little bit of everything.
In the end, there’s a reason Arkansas is called “the Natural State.” Its secluded towns offer peace and quiet, along with a contemplative atmosphere ideal for reflection. Instead of the noise of modern life, you’re met with birdsong in the trees, the soft rush of the river, and the stillness of shaded forest paths.
