Antarctica is an obvious setting for solitude seekers, a stark stage peppered with penguins, polar bears and the occasional scientist. However, there are secret Gardens of Eden across North America as the formula persists: the more remote the location, the more amazing the adventure.
Thorofare Trail, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park’s Thorofare and South Boundary 68-mile trail is daunting on your best days. Get lost somewhere closer to home as the Thorofare Ranger Station is one of few stops on the eight-day trail, one that rarely sees much traffic.
Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia/Florida
This is not Shrek’s swamp. River gators patrol the waters while Black Bears command the dense bogs; this mushy marsh’s mayor is Mother Nature. Kayakers dip paddles through these narrow passages. Capsizing is not recommended.
Batona Trail, New Jersey
Wind through 50 miles of craggy pines on the spooky Batona Trail. Dozens of accounts of bat-like creatures lurking near the trails drive away most tourists yet the trails are worth exploring by the intrepid.
Carova Beach, North Carolina
No paved roads, only mounds of sand ready to be traversed via 4-wheel drive vehicles or horseback. In Carova, galloping up to the grocery store on your steed is the norm.
Palmyra Atoll
This Atoll is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and 1,000 miles from the closest island, Hawaii. Currently a tropical conservancy, remote Palmyra is uninhabited; visits to this micro island are restricted and require permits.
Barrow, Alaska
Barrow is the northernmost city in the United States and boasts a puny population of 4,500. With over 50 days without a glimpse of sunlight, this city is in the dark (literally). Scout for blubber tacos and eat them before the bears find you.
Hinsdale County, Colorado
With over 95% of land federally owned, there are few developments in this mountainous Colorado county. The state’s capital city, Denver, has 212 times more paved roads than Hinsdale County—and that’s just counting Denver’s paved bike paths.
Little Diomede Island, Alaska
Isolated and icy? Situated only 2.5 miles from Russia’s closest island, this northern island is inhabited by 100 rugged souls. Recently, a new helicopter “highway” has been put in place so residents may shuttle (more) easily to the mainland. Forget biking to work, commute via chopper.
Supai, Arizona
With cars nonexistent here and eight miles from the closest road, mules are the primary form of transportation in this isolated town nestled within the Grand Canyon. Rumor has it amazing fry bread is hidden in one of Supai’s few cafes.
Alert, Nunavut, Canada
1,300 miles away from the nearest town, a sketchy airport is the only way in or out of Alert. If you want to make contact with the rest of the world, a faithful few manage the radio facility. Sounds like a subpar vacation spot? Just imagine: -40 degree weather, months without sun and a slushy piña colada in hand.
CATEGORIES
