The desert offers a stark, dramatic kind of beauty: endless skies, warm winters, and wide-open space unlike anywhere else. For those drawn to the arid Southwest, a handful of small towns make it feel like home.
Here are seven of the best desert towns for rural living.
1SedonaArizona
Ringed by red rock cathedrals, Sedona pairs jaw-dropping scenery with an artsy, wellness-minded community.
2MoabUtah
Between two national parks, Moab is an adventure hub of red canyons and slickrock beneath big skies.
3MarfaTexas
A remote high-desert town, Marfa has become a surprising outpost of minimalist art and quiet cool.
4Borrego SpringsCalifornia
Surrounded by a vast desert park, Borrego Springs offers dark skies and warm-winter serenity.
5Silver CityNew Mexico
An artsy mile-high town near the Gila wilderness, Silver City blends desert and mountain character.
6TerlinguaTexas
A quirky ghost town near Big Bend, Terlingua is the definition of remote, wide-open desert living.
7TubacArizona
A historic arts colony south of Tucson, Tubac pairs Southwestern charm with a mild desert climate.
Desert living rewards those who love warmth, space, and stark beauty, but heat, water scarcity, and remoteness are real factors to plan for.
If big skies and warm winters call to you, these towns capture the dramatic appeal of desert living.