The 17 Most Remote Spots in Montana and How to Safely Get There

Montana, known as the “Treasure State,” is truly a treasure if you want to “get lost in nature and find yourself.”

Montana is one of America’s largest but least populated states. It is the perfect place to “get lost” and enjoy the scenery.

Montana has many small, isolated towns; you can drive for hours and never see another town or store.

Still, one town tops them all: Glasgow.

Glasgow was deemed the most isolated town (of over 1,000 people) in the contiguous United States. Yet, many smaller towns are likely even more remote.

Check out the Bob Marshall Wilderness area to escape people entirely. An area you can only reach by hiking, you’ll truly be away from all civilization and noise.

Glasgow, Montana — The Most Isolated Town in the Contiguous 48 States

Glasgow is more isolated than any other town in the contiguous United States. The little town is home to 3,186 people and is near the Canadian border.

The residents of Glasgow must know each other very well because the next closest city is 4.5 hours away. The town of Glasgow is really “the middle of nowhere,” surrounded by nothing on all sides.

Researchers spent years figuring out which town in the United States was the most remote. They built a map that spans the entire globe. Researchers painstakingly figured out how long it would take to get from place to place based on distance, terrain, transportation, etc.

They made their determination based on how many people live in each town. They only considered towns with a population of over 1,000. Then, they determined how far away those towns were from a city containing more than 75,000 people.

Despite their isolation, Glasgow has ensured it has everything it needs to keep its residents healthy and safe. The town has a fire hall, a hospital, and a school system with about 800 students.

It’ll take a long time, but you can reach Glasgow by car or train. Amtrak makes frequent stops in the area. If you’re going by car, make sure to fill up at every gas station you pass.

What About Smaller Towns?

If you keep reading, you’ll see there are many isolated towns in Montana with less than 1,000 people. It’s entirely possible that these towns are more isolated than Glasgow.

Take the town of Larslan, for example, which has a population of only 17 people. Some have nicknamed Larslan — and Glasgow — as the true “middle of nowhere.”

The tiny town is 10 miles away from the ghost town of St. Marie and 32 miles away from Glasgow. Larslan now contains only an abandoned school, a dumpster, and the old remains of a post office.

Bob Marshall Wilderness Area

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Area was named the most remote and isolated spot in Montana by the husband and wife team of Project Remote. The couple has been touring the country. They are in search of the most remote places in the United States.

As a hiker, reaching the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area will take five days. You’ll have to start at the Sun Fork Trailhead and hike west for five days to reach the heart of the wilderness area.

The hike is relatively easy, and you’ll see many amazing views despite how long it takes to get to your destination. Along the trail are beautiful mountain views, valleys, and the Sun River.

On the last day of the hike, trek up Rampart Mountain to the truest remote spot. It’ll take several hours to reach the summit, but the incredible view is well worth it.

Discover some of the incredible animals you might encounter while trekking through Montana.

Other Small, Remote Towns in Montana

Glasgow and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area are most famous for their remoteness. Still, they aren’t the only remote areas in the state.

Here are 15 small, remote towns in Montanna and what they’re known for:

• Chinook — Bear Paw Battlefield and Blaine County Museum.
• Circle — Ranching, farming, and big-game hunting.
• Dell — Home to only seven people. It is good for scenic drives on your way through the Rocky Mountains.
• Dixon — Home to 216 people and the Flathead Indian Reservation.
• Ekalaka — Near Medicine Rocks State Park.
• Heron — It is close to the Bitterroot Mountains and Clark Fork River, making it great for hiking and fishing.
• Jordan — Home to only 350 people.
• Martin City — Near awe-inspiring Glacier National Park and Flathead National Park.
• Noxon — It is famous for huckleberries and is a great fishing spot.
• Paradise — Home to less than 200 people and beautiful sweeping mountains.
• Pony — A historic town known for its gold mining community that boomed in the late 1800s.
• Sunburst — Close to the Canadian border and home to about 200 people.
• Sweet Grass — beautiful mountains and plains close to the Canadian border.
• Thompson Falls — Close to the Kootenai National Forest.
• Trout Creek — Named the “Huckleberry Capital of Montana” and holds the annual Huckleberry Festival.

Summary of the 17 Most Remote Spots in Montana