7 Secluded Towns On The Colorado Plateau
Nestled within the vast expanse of the Colorado Plateau, where ancient sandstone formations stretch endlessly toward the horizon, lies a collection of towns that have managed to preserve their isolation in an increasingly connected world. These settlements, scattered across Utah and Arizona, stand as testaments to human perseverance and offer glimpses into both pioneer history and timeless landscapes. From high-elevation forests to deep desert canyons, each community has carved out its existence in one of America's most challenging and beautiful terrains.
Bluff, Utah
Bluff is southeastern Utah's most remote settlement, where the San Juan River carves through ancient sandstone formations. The town's founding story is one of determination—Mormon pioneers spent six months creating what became known as the Hole-in-the-Rock trail, blasting and carving their way through 200 miles of rough terrain. Today, this tiny community of 250 residents sits beneath sandstone cliffs that create a natural amphitheater.
The Twin Rocks, sandstone formations that dominate the skyline, have been sacred to Indigenous peoples for millennia. The restored Bluff Fort Historic Site is an immersive experience of pioneer life, featuring authentic log cabins, handcart displays, and interactive exhibits. Visitors can also see the nearby Butler Wash Ruins, where well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings hint at ancient life on the Colorado Plateau.
Torrey, Utah
Torrey occupies a unique ecological transition zone where the high plateau meets the desert, at the western entrance to Capitol Reef National Park. At 6,800 feet elevation, the town experiences a climate that supports both alpine meadows and desert flora. The settlement began as a ranching community in the 1880s, and many of its original pioneer-era fruit orchards still produce heirloom varieties of apples, pears, and cherries. The town's position between Boulder Mountain's aspen forests and the Waterpocket Fold's colorful cliffs creates a microclimate that attracted early settlers.
The historic Torrey schoolhouse, a preserved red brick building from 1914, now serves as a cultural center hosting art exhibitions and community events. Torrey has access to some of Utah's most spectacular backroads, including the Highway 12 Scenic Byway, which winds through slick rock canyons and high-elevation forests. The Cathedral Valley loop through Capitol Reef's remote northern district is a less-traveled road past monoliths and the Temple of the Sun and Moon formations.
Escalante, Utah
Escalante was the last place in the continental United States to be mapped, which speaks to its rugged inaccessibility. Indeed, the town lies in a valley surrounded by a maze of slick rock canyons and prehistoric sites. Founded by Mormon pioneers in 1875, Escalante has maintained its frontier character while evolving into a hub for outdoor adventure. The town's location within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument means it's surrounded by millions of acres of wilderness.
The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center is more than just an information center—it is a resource for understanding the region's complex geology and human history. Meanwhile, the Escalante Heritage Center provides insights into pioneer life through artifacts, photographs, and oral histories passed down through generations. The town's surroundings offer access to some of the Southwest's most spectacular slot canyons, including the renowned Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulch.
Page, Arizona
Page’s origins as a planned community in the 1950s have shaped its compact and isolated charm. Nestled on the edge of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, this small town of just over 7,000 residents was built to house workers constructing the Glen Canyon Dam. Today, it remains a quiet hub, surrounded by the dramatic sandstone landscapes of the Colorado Plateau.
In town, the Powell Museum offers insights into the history of the area, from the construction of the dam to the exploration of the Colorado River. The John Wesley Powell Memorial and local art galleries celebrate the region's pioneering spirit and natural beauty. Page’s proximity to Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon enhances its appeal.
Mexican Hat, Utah
Named after a balanced rock formation that has become a symbol of the Southwest, Mexican Hat is home to just 30 year-round residents. This tiny settlement along the San Juan River feels like a frontier outpost frozen in time. The town's origins are tied to early oil exploration and river-running adventures, though today, it serves primarily as a gateway to Monument Valley.
Beyond the Mexican Hat Rock, which draws photographers year-round, the nearby Goosenecks State Park has views of the San Juan River's entrenched meanders. The river loops back on itself six times in the space of one linear mile, cutting 1,000 feet deep into the rock. Valley of the Gods, often called a miniature Monument Valley, has similar beauty without the crowds, including buttes, pinnacles, and wide desert vistas.
Hanksville, Utah
Hanksville's surrounding terrain is so similar to Mars that NASA has established a research station nearby for testing Mars exploration techniques. Founded as a waypoint for pioneers traveling between settlements, the town retains much of its frontier character, with old uranium mining camps and early ranching sites dotting the surrounding desert.
The town is near Wild Horse Mesa and Factory Butte. These are some of Utah's most otherworldly landscapes, where erosion has carved the soft sedimentary rocks into bizarre formations. Meanwhile, Goblin Valley State Park, with its thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations, is an almost alien landscape. The Henry Mountains, rising abruptly from the desert floor, were the last mountain range to be mapped in the continental United States and still harbor one of the last free-roaming bison herds in America.
Chinle, Arizona
Chinle's name means "flowing out" in Navajo, referring to the mouth of Canyon de Chelly. With a population of about 4,500, primarily Navajo residents, Chinle is both a modern community and a guardian of ancient traditions. The town's position at the entrance to Canyon de Chelly National Monument makes it a gateway to one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes in North America, where Ancestral Puebloan ruins share space with modern Navajo farms.
The centerpiece of the area, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, encompasses over 84,000 acres of red rock canyons containing hundreds of ancient ruins and rock art sites. Visitors can explore the rim drives independently, such as the South Rim Drive, but access to the canyon floor requires a Navajo guide, ensuring both safety and cultural preservation. The historic Thunderbird Lodge, built on the site of a trading post dating to 1896, gives visitors a glimpse into the area's trading post-era while providing modern accommodations.
In Summary
These seven communities represent more than just dots on a map—they are living chronicles of the American Southwest, where the past and present intermingle beneath desert skies. While modern conveniences have reached even these remote outposts, they retain an authenticity that's increasingly rare in today's world. For those seeking to experience the true character of the Colorado Plateau, these secluded settlements offer an unparalleled window into the heart of the American Southwest.
