Farm along the water in Keene, New York. Image credit Chelsea Mealo via Shutterstock

9 Secluded Towns in Upstate New York

While New York City (NYC) is the most densely populated metro area in America, Upstate New York (NY) is a whole different world. You only need to travel a few miles north to find the anti-NYC: a rugged region bedecked with mountains, forests, lakes, and the smallest of small towns. Instead of shoulder-to-shoulder traffic, shoulders are separated by miles of wilderness, making non-NYC communities like islands in a green sea. One can float from the pub above Colton's Raquette River to Hardenburgh's lakefront Buddhist temple to the Great Adirondack Moose Festival in Indian Lake, covering the spectrum of secluded yet spectacular sights and finding others along the way. In order to see it all and not drift too far, anchor to the following towns during your Upstate New York voyage.

Arietta

The Adirondack Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachians in the upper-upstate region, isolate many NY settlements. Six million of its rugged acres are preserved as Adirondack Park, the "largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States," where towns are no obstacle. Swallowed by the southern section of Adirondack Park is Arietta, whose 300ish residents vie for five percent of its 317 square miles. The other 95 percent is New York State forest. People come for outdoor serenity and recreation, making their base at a campsite or the nearby Piseco Lake Lodge Motel. Arietta has an airport that hosts the Annual Lions Club Fly-in Breakfast for fans of bacon and aeronautics.

Richland

People fishing at Salmon River before sunset at Pulaski, New York. — People are fishing at the Salmon River before sunset in Pulaski, New York. Image credit Mahmoud Suhail via Shutterstock

Another natural feature that isolates NY towns is water. Upstate New York is largely bordered by Lake Champlain, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Ontario. Near the banks of the last of those oases sits Richland, a town of about 5,600 people. It is separated from Canadian land by dozens of aquatic miles, and during winter, it can be separated from the rest of America by lake-effect snow. Because of this, Richland is very much a warm-weather destination. Its main village, Pulaski, offers excellent salmon fishing plus tasty produce at the Pulaski Farmer’s Market in summer and fall.

Otsego

Homes along the shore of Ostego Lake, the source of the Susquehanna River. Image credit Steve Cukrov via Shutterstock

Since it contains Cooperstown, one of the busiest villages in Upstate New York, Otsego may draw skepticism as a secluded town. Yet, after visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame and Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown proper, you can get lost in Otsego's lakes and woods. In the former camp are Otsego Lake and Canadarago Lake, which have a combined surface area of several thousand acres. In the latter camp is Hartwick State Forest, which, when combined with neighboring preserves like Exeter State Forest and Glimmerglass State Park, is a rustic wonderland. Make sure to geotag your camp wherever you set it.

Webb

Cars drive down the road in Old Forge, New York. — Cars drive down the road in Old Forge, New York (a hamlet in Webb). Image credit KMarsh via Shutterstock

Webb is the largest town by land area in not just Adirondack Park but all of New York State. About 1,800 people occupy its 451 square miles, which means most of Webb is unspoiled wilderness. Watson's East Triangle Wild Forest, Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness, Pigeon Lake Wilderness, and Five Ponds Wilderness are among the preserves where you can hike, fish, and primitively camp. If you are looking for something a little more modern, have no fear. Developed nature areas include the McCauley Mountain Ski Center and the Enchanted Forest Water Safari, which flank Webb's largest hamlet, Old Forge. Visit Old Forge to forge new memories.

Osceola

Osceola is part of Tug Hill, a geographic region west of the Adirondacks and just as remote—if not more so. This community spans 88 square miles but houses around 240 people, making it one of the least populated towns in New York. Since Tug Hill is known for heavy snowfall, Osceola attracts snowshoers, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers. After conquering the Osceola Ski and Sport Resort, Osceolans relax and refuel at the Osceola Outpost, which is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot on Osceola's main drag (if you can call it that), and the World's Famous Osceola Hotel, which is a bar/grill right across the street.

Colton

Clinging to the northwestern edge of Adirondack Park, Colton has approximately 1,500 residents and several parks within the park. High Flats State Forest, Higley Flow State Park, and Snow Bowl State Forest make Colton a secluded hub for everything from hiking to camping to snowmobiling. The Raquette River also runs through towns and offers kayaking and canoeing. Jutting from the Raquette in Colton proper is the Raquette River Pub, where paddlers gather to dry off in one way and get wet in another. Revered for its wings, it was voted the best restaurant in the Adirondack Seaway Region (comprising the St. Lawrence River-lined St. Lawrence County) in 2022.

Hardenburgh

The Catskills are another isolating subrange in Upstate New York. They stand south of the Adirondacks in the same Appalachian range with the same rugged terrain. One town buried in not one, not two, but three Catskill valleys is Hardenburgh. Hard to reach but easy to enjoy, this settlement spans much of the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest, which offers myriad outdoor activities. Home to about 220 people, Hardenburgh is so rustic that, aside from the Beaverkill Valley Inn, its top manmade attractions are a maple syrup shop, Buddhist temple, and lookout tower. Climb the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower for unparalleled views of the town.

Keene

You should be keen to visit Keene, a town with about 1,100 people in northeastern Adirondack Park. Like a Russian nesting doll of nature, the six-million-acre park contains the Adirondack Forest Preserve, a 2.7 million-acre preserve that fills towns with many other preserves. Thus, Keene is corralled by the 23,874-acre Sentinel Range Wilderness, 23,100-acre Giant Mountain Wilderness, 45,208-acre Dix Mountain Area Wilderness, and 13,784-acre Hurricane Mountain Wilderness. After hiking, camping, fishing, paddling, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, and/or snowshoeing in the preserves, unwind in Keene proper at Keene Arts and the Cedar Run Bakery & Market.

Indian Lake

Based on the distance to the nearest significant settlement, Indian Lake is among the most isolated towns in New York. It occupies Adirondack Park, approximately 14 miles from civilization, and features the titular lake surrounded by preserves. Deep in the woods, you might see a moose before a human. Indian Lake calls itself the "Moose capital of the Northeast" and hosts the Great Adirondack Moose Festival each September. Other commercial attractions to see in this feral town include Chef Darrell's Mountain Diner and the Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake.

The Best Small Towns in New York for a Weekend RetreatNew York is one of the oldest states in the US, and its longstanding and fascinating history is only matched by its natural wonders, exemplified by its pristine forests, lakes, and mountain ranges.

Upstate New York may be secluded, but don't mistake it for empty. Human scarcity enlivens towns and treats tourists to a Richland of fish, a Webb of wilderness, and the secret world of Arietta. Those NY oases, though low in population and high in isolation, have enough shops and eateries to support an expedition. Tramp through the real jungle of Upstate New York rather than the concrete jungle of New York City.

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