9 Secluded Towns in Missouri
Perhaps no state nickname is more appropriate than Missouri's "Show-Me State." From its gold-tinted northern plains to verdant Mississippi watershed to rugged southern Ozarks, Missouri (MO) has plenty to show. Though it might sound contradictory, many of Missouri's most striking sights are secluded, but secluded means a dearth of humans, not attractions. Distance from major cities makes Alley Spring, the Irish Wilderness, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home really stand out. Take a tour and find secluded spectacles in the Show-Me State.
Eminence
As the first national park in America to protect a river system, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways spans more than 80,000 acres of wilderness along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. Enmeshed in this river-fed refuge is Eminence, a "city" of about 500 people and 20 wild horses. These equines, which are said to descend from Great Depression-forlorn livestock, tend to roam Broadfoot Field and Shawnee Creek Campground. Other magical features of this faraway Ozark land are springs like Alley Spring and caverns like Round Spring Cave. The latter guards the Sunklands Conservation Area, which, being 2.8 miles from the nearest road, is considered the most remote spot in Missouri.
Hermann
Hermann, another undersized MO city, is isolated by the Missouri River and the Hermann American Viticultural Area. Grapes grow more freely than people in this 50,000ish-acre area, which produces much of Missouri's wine. Thus, despite Hermann's size, it has some of the most delectable offerings in the state. Visitors can imbibe at the Hermannhof Winery and Adam Puchta Winery. Both are among six stops on the Hermann Wine Trail, a ~30-mile sampling of viticultural victuals. Scheduled special events include the Say Cheese Wine Trail on Dec. 14, 2024, and the Chocolate Wine Trail on Feb. 22 and 23, 2025.
Fredericktown
The Mark Twain National Forest covers 1.5 million acres of public land, 750 miles of trails, and 29 counties in nine southern Missouri parcels. A "hub" of its easternmost parcel is Fredericktown, which hosts around 4,500 residents and plenty of places where tourists can refuel between wilderness jaunts. Among them are The Depot Cafe, whose homemade cuisine is served in a historic train depot, and The Station Craft Coffee House & Bistro, which crafts everything from coffee, smoothies, and shakes to ice cream, sandwiches, and gluten-free baked goods.
Doniphan
Doniphan is tucked near the Arkansas border under different parcels of the Mark Twain National Forest. Roughly 1,700 residents and intrepid tourists can access the Poplar Bluff and Eleven Point parcels, the latter of which features the fabled Irish Wilderness. Within its dense oak and hickory strands are sinkholes, disappearing streams, and woodland creatures like bears and rattlesnakes. "Land of legend and romance" is how Doniphan describes itself. After looking for legends in the surrounding wilderness, capture romance in downtown Doniphan at Heritage Park and the Current River Heritage Museum.
Van Buren
Located southeast of Eminence and northwest of Doniphan, Van Buren is flanked by both the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Mark Twain National Forest. Its draw is, unsurprisingly, outdoor recreation. Canoeing, kayaking, tubing, boating, hiking, biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing are all offered in Van Buren's radius. Commercial offerings include the Missouri Down Under Adventure Zoo, where you can feed kangaroos in the middle of the Ozarks, and Beavers Teeth Axe Throwing Brew and Chew, where you can toss axes while tossing back beer.
Jamesport
If you are looking for a Missouri town that's secluded not just geographically but culturally, check out Jamesport. Home to roughly 600 people in rural Missouri, Jamesport is considered the largest Old Order Amish settlement west of the Mississippi. Anna's Bake Shop, Oakridge Furniture, Homestead Dairy, the Rolling Hills Store, and the Countryside Bakery are some of the awesome yet archaic establishments in and around Jamesport. Don't worry: not all of the businesses operate like it's the 17th century. For instance, Country Cupboard, a highly rated restaurant on the Old Highway, has a Facebook page.
Ava
Ava is nestled among the westernmost segments of the Mark Twain National Forest. After opening those parcels and extracting extraordinary views, especially at the Hercules Glades Wilderness, get material gifts in Ava proper at the Ava Art Guild and Gallery and the Cranberry Mercantile. Cinematic gifts can be bought at the Ava TrueView Family Theater, while historical gifts can be gleaned at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum, a relic from the Little House on the Prairie author in nearby Mansfield. Considering all those backwoods gems, is it any wonder why Ava is called the "Treasure of the Ozarks?"
Ste. Genevieve
A historic French-Canadian enclave along the Mississippi River, Ste. Genevieve is the oldest non-Indigenous settlement in Missouri. It, therefore, boasts many of the oldest buildings west of the Mississippi, including the Green Tree Tavern (c. 1790), Louis Bolduc House (c. 1793), and Old Brick House (c. 1800), the last of which is an active restaurant. Not too far from Fredericktown and right on the Illinois border, Ste. Genevieve also provides access to wide wilderness: the Mark Twain National Forest on the Missouri side and Shawnee National Forest on the Illinois side.
Salem
Yet another city isolated by the Mark Twain National Forest, Salem is one of the most secluded settlements in all of Missouri. Approximately 19 miles separate it from the nearest significant settlement, but, given its moderate size by municipal MO standards (~4,600 residents), it has about every amenity needed for a forest foray. Stop at Country Mart, the Main Streets Country Corner Cafe, or Salem Farmers' Market before penetrating Twain. If that's not sufficiently stimulating, head to Montauk State Park for biking, picnicking, and fishing or the Salem Indian Trail Conservation Area for camping, bird watching, and historical sightseeing along the Trail of Tears.
Seclusion is a blessing in Missouri. Far from major cities, major highways, and, in some cases, paved roads are attractions like wild Ozark horses and tasty Amish goods. Given their isolation, one must reach them from small towns, but those towns are just as spectacular—if not more so—thanks to booming businesses. Whether it's Jamesport in the north, Hermann in the center, or Doniphan in the south, explore the uncongested side of Missouri.
