11 Places In Arizona Way Out In The Boonies But So Worth The Drive

Sometimes taking a break from the modern life into remote areas is a well-deserved treat, whether it’s for a couple of hours or a couple of weeks. It’s a chance to take a break from technology, reconnect with nature, and reset your biological clock, all of which can lead to much healthier life. You could probably drive about 50 miles in any direction from where you are right now and find yourself in the boonies, but you never really know if you’re standing on private land or not. Instead, here are a few suggestions for places that offer beautiful views, natural silence, and isolation from the rest of the world.

Alan English CPA/Flickr

This eastern Arizona destination runs right along the border we share with New Mexico and what a sight it is! You will find dozens of hiking, camping, and fishing areas and many of them often see few people on a daily basis, meaning you could probably go a couple of days without seeing another person.

Visiting information: U.S. Forest Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Flickr

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Dan Sorenson/Flickr

This wildlife refuge gets two photos due to how diverse the landscape is, consisting of typical Sonoran Desert flora, sand dunes, and old volcanic fields. It is the state’s largest wilderness area and home to one of the oldest trails in the country (El Camino del Diablo), first blazed by Spanish conquistadors in 1540.

Visiting information: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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John Fowler/Flickr

It’s easy to feel secluded on the Navajo Nation but Coal Mine Canyon, which is just off the road between Tuba City and Kykotsmovi, is one place where you’ll feel completely separated from the rest of the world. Plus, it helps that this place is 105% gorgeous.

Visiting information: Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation

Bureau of Land Management/Flickr

This area is located just south of the Blue Range Wilderness and goes to show how quickly the land changes from ponderosa forests to a desert refuge. It follows the Gila River, which acts as a lush riparian area for local desert creatures and hikers who venture inside.

Visiting information: Bureau of Land Management

Alan English CPA/Flickr

The photo doesn’t quite capture the rugged nature of Hellsgate but it is one fantastically beautiful area that offers some pretty strenuous hiking trails. Check out the video above for a view of the entrance to Hellsgate, starting at the 2:07 mark.

Visiting information: U.S. Forest Service

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Kaibab National Forest/Flickr

This picturesque area sits in the remote Arizona Strip, right between the Grand Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. It’s safe to say you’ll find a rare soul trekking through these lands but a visit here is incredible if you’re looking to get away from modernity for awhile.

Visiting information: U.S. Forest Service

Alan English CPA/Flickr

Situated between the Verde River and Beeline Highway, this wilderness area is contains some rough, remote areas but the sweeping desert views are simply breathtaking.

Visiting information: U.S. Forest Service

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Jason Corneveaux/Flickr

This area sits right next to our second list location and it is just as beautiful and remote. You’ll find an incredible collection of native cacti, most notably the organ pipe cactus.

Visiting information: National Park Service

Patrick Alexander/Flickr

Most people know this mountain range for Mount Graham, one of the tallest peaks in the state. While the sky island looks like a desert from the base, the top is actually a haven for pine, maple, aspen, and other non-deserty flora, as well as a great retreat for locals.

Visiting information: U.S. Forest Service

Malcolm Surgenor/Flickr

Another location in the Arizona Strip, this monument is difficult to access but a notable spot for the state’s history, blending Indigenous, Spanish, and pioneer cultures. The area is located along the Old Spanish Trail, the ancestral home of Kaibab Pauite, and was a settlement area for Mormon pioneers in the latter half of the 19th century.

Visiting information: National Park Service

Daniel Pouliot/Flickr

This little town located in the depths of the Grand Canyon earns a spot on this list for being perhaps the most remote town in the state and country. It requires a day-long hike into the canyon but the views you’ll find there make the trek worth the effort.

Visiting information: National Park Service

Need more evidence that rural Arizona is the best place in the state? Our article 14 Photos That Prove Rural Arizona Is The Best Place To Live will probably do the trick.