9 Secluded Towns in Arkansas

As the 34th-ranked state by population density per the 2020 census, Arkansas is already semi-secluded. But if you skip sizeable, cosmopolitan cities and focus on small, rugged communities—those stuck in mountain passes or dense forests or snaking riverbanks—you can experience a truly remote Arkansas. Less congestion means extra sensation, so feast your eyes on Jasper's Grand Canyon, feast for real at Ozone's high-elevation burger barn, and hear the pleasant pickin' of Mountain View's many music fests.

Jasper

For a city of around 550 people dug deep in the Ozarks, Jasper has a shocking number of attractions. On its quaint main street sits the Ozark Cafe, a multi-building, multi-entertainment complex more than a century old and featured in such media as New York Magazine and Travel Channel's Man v. Food. On the same street but on the northern side of the Little Buffalo River sits the Low Gap Cafe, a scenic, satiating gateway to Jasper-adjacent wilderness. The wilderness includes the Ozark National Forest and the main Buffalo River. Exit town from the south rather than the north on Highway 7 to see the area's crown jewel: the Arkansas Grand Canyon. Arguably, the best views are from the Cliff House Inn, which also provides food and rooms, but you must bring your own booze (it's a dry county).

Mena

The Ouachita National Forest is a 1.8-million-acre preserve of the Ouachita Mountains in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Overshadowed by one of its tallest peaks, Rich Mountain, is Mena, a city with about 5,500 people near the Oklahoma border. Naturally, it is a base for Ouachita activities like hiking, climbing, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and rockhounding. Adventurers can rest and refuel at Little Italy II or order takeout and explore the area by car. Mena is near the eastern terminus of the Talimena National Scenic Byway, which takes motorists on a 54-mile journey to Talihina, Oklahoma.

Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro takes "hidden gem" literally. This 1,500ish-person city adjoins Crater of Diamonds State Park, which bills itself as the "only place in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source." You can keep whatever gem you find in its 37-acre volcanic field. The largest American diamond, originally judged to be 40.23 carats and valued with inflation at nearly $1 million, was found there in 1924, and multi-carat diamonds are still regularly excavated. If you get lucky, treat yourself in Murfreesboro proper at the Queen of Diamonds Inn and Caddo Antiques Gifts and More.

Marshall

Marshall is the largest city in Searcy County—but that's not saying much. Most Arkansas settlements are classified as cities if they have over 500 residents, and Searcy County is extra sparse thanks to the Buffalo National River, Ozark National Forest, and other rugged features of the Ozark Highlands. Thus, Marshall's 1,300ish residents and intrepid tourists can partake in prime outdoor recreation, notably stargazing. Just west of town winds Bear Creek, a dark skies destination that annually hosts the Arkansas Dark-Sky Festival. Be on the lookout for 2025's dates.

Ozone

Ozone is a proper name for this high-altitude Ozark outcrop. People do live there (92 according to the 2020 census), but at nearly 2,000 feet in the Ozark National Forest, it draws far more tourists than residents. They visit the Ozone Recreation Area, a Civilian Conservation Corp Camp turned public camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing spot off Highway 21; Arkansas Sphinx, an Egyptian Sphinx-esque rock formation near Hagarville, south of the Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area; and Glory Hole Falls, a north-of-town waterfall that spills through a hole in an overhang like a heavenly light. But not every Ozone attraction is natural. The Ozone Burger Barn, which also straddles Highway 21, has been sating sightseers for over 30 years.

Ponca

The super-secluded sister of Jasper, Ponca, sits about 15 miles east on the Buffalo River and has more elk than humans. Several hundred of the ungulates roam around Ponca as part of the only lasting reintroduction program since elk became extirpated in the state. You can learn more about this resurr-elk-tion at the Ponca Nature Center in central Ponca, which has indoor and outdoor exhibits plus a souvenir shop. From there, rent a watercraft for a scenic voyage and dock at one of numerous remote retreats. They include the Ponca Creek Lodge and Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging, both of which lie north of the Nature Center.

Mount Ida

Another "hub" of the Ouachita National Forest, Mount Ida, has about 1,000 residents and smatterings of tourists. While many do come for nature, others come for art. Yes, Mount Ida is an isolated arts community whose main venue is the Ouachita Artists Gallery and Studio. Much of Mount Ida's art is made with quartz crystals, considering that the area is sparkling with them. They can be bought at The Crystal Garden, a gift shop off Owley Road, or collected at Crystal Vista, a commercial crystal mine turned public hiking area. Get your rocks off at the "Quartz Crystal Capital of the World."

Mountain View

Although the views are certainly good in Mountain View, sounds are the real attraction. This small Ozark city is called the "Folk Music Capital of the World" and backs it up with the Dulcimer Shoppe, Jimmy Driftwood Music Barn, Mountain View Music, and the Stone County Courthouse, whose grounds are a permanent venue for guitar and banjo "pickin'." Moreover, Mountain View hosts year-round music fests, from the Mountain View Bluegrass Festival in March to Christmas on the Square in December. Music plus mountains plus seclusion make MV a sonorous oasis.

Felsenthal

Felsenthal is a legitimate Arkansas town home to just 85 people per the 2020 census. It sits far south near the Louisiana border and next to the Ouachita River, which feeds several lakes and the 76,000-acre Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge offers unparalleled seclusion because, being about 2.5 miles from the nearest road, it is considered the most remote place in Arkansas. After exploring "The Really-Great Outdoors," as Felsenthal calls itself, relax at the Grand Marais Campground and fuel up in neighboring Crossett at the Beech St. Bistro.

Savor the Solitude in Arkansas's Hidden Havens

A scenic buffet is served in remote Arkansas. Far from big cities' noise, light, and actual pollution are small towns with tasty dishes of nature and nurture. Start with the nurturing Ozark Cafe in Jasper, climb the nature-rich Rich Mountain in Mena, drink up the oxygenated waterfall in Ozone, and make a dessert from Felsenthal's National Wildlife Refuge. Don't be afraid to snack on other secluded sites in between.