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The Southwest of the United States is an incredible and iconic corner of the country, containing some of the best natural scenery and most unique cultural mixes. Blending Native, Spanish, and American influences within its diverse landscapes, mainly comprised of deserts and mountains, it is the ultimate road trip destination and a must-visit for anyone who hasn't been yet.

Although some of Southwest's big cities, like Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and Phoenix, offer all the amenities you could want in their bustling metro areas, we would like to highlight some smaller alternatives so that you can avoid the crowds and experience something a little different in 2025.

Journey with us through these 10 communities and make your next adventure this year a truly memorable one.

Jerome, Arizona

Perched on Cleopatra Hill, Jerome is a tiny yet historic mining town, of fewer than 500 residents set within the picturesque deserts of central Arizona. Once known as the "Wickedest Town in the West," its Wild West past is can be explored this year in its many preserved buildings and museums detailing the copper mining boom of the latter 1800s.

The Jerome State Historic Park is a great place to start your visit. Housed in the old Douglas Mansion, it provides a look into the region鈥檚 once bustling industrial history with exhibits on mining operations and life in the early 20th century.

Modern Jerome now thrives as a bit of an artistic hub, with galleries, studios, and artisan shops lining its compact dowtown core. The Jerome Art Walk, held monthly, also showcases local painters, sculptors, and jewelers. For more historic landmarks, the town is home to the Jerome Grand Hotel, a hospital turned haunted hotel.

Jerome is one of the few hotspots for Wine enthusiasts as well, and you can visit nearby wineries in the sun-soaked Verde Valley, like Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room (owned by Tool and A Perfect Circle lead singer Maynard James Keenan), while those simply wanting to get outdoor can explore the Mingus Mountain trails. The high desert views alone make the trip worthwhile, with sweeping panoramas of the valley and beyond located in many lookout points throughout the area.

Julian, California

A former gold rush town in the Cuyamaca Mountains of southern California, Julian now draws its visitors to its fertile apple orchards, amazing weather, and mountainous scenery.

Founded in the 1870s, Julian still holds onto some of its past with sites like the Eagle Mining Co., where tours of its underground tunnels are available, and the Julian Pioneer Museum, which houses exhibits featuring ranching equipment, household items, and other period artifacts from the gold rush era.

While in the area, you've got to try some of the region's famous apples, either fresh, juiced, or in a baked good. Julian鈥檚 mild mountain climate makes it a prime apple-growing area of the country, and its famous apple pies are a highlight for visitors. During the fall, orchards open for apple picking, and the annual Julian Apple Days Festival celebrates the harvest. It is among the best autumn destinations to visit in California in 2025.

The surrounding Cleveland National Forest and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park are also ripe for hiking and outdoor adventure, with great views of rolling hills and distant desert landscapes dotted throughout. Winter is another fine time to visit too, with occasional snowfall making it one of the only places in SoCal to build a snowman this year!

Madrid, New Mexico

Once an important coal-mining community, Madrid has since transformed into a thriving artist colony and one of New Mexico鈥檚 most distinctive small towns. Located along the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, its fun-filled main street is home to many of its best amenities, including art galleries, locally-owned restaurants, hotels, and notable landmarks. The Mine Shaft Tavern, a local institution, serves as both a historic site and a gathering place for live music and delicious Southwestern cuisine.

The town embraces its creative spirit and neighborly vibe with annual events like the Madrid Christmas Parade and the Studio Tour, where you can meet local artists and purchase pieces of their work directly from them. Moreover, learn more about this borderline ghost town with a visit to the Old Coal Town Museum, which details Madrid鈥檚 boom-and-bust past, a story that many Southwestern towns have faced throughout their histories.

The surrounding landscapes offer scenic desert drives from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, and hiking trails with views of the Ortiz Mountains if you prefer to explore the natural wonders of this region on foot.

Terlingua, Texas

Previously a vital mercury mining community, now turned remote desert getaway, Terlingua sits on the edge of Big Bend National Park, offering you a pleasant mix of rugged scenery, history, and quirky west Texas culture. The town is home to several abandoned adobe structures, and the Terlingua Ghost Town Cemetery serves as a reminder of its former residents, many of whom were miners.

For a less dour historical site, the Starlight Theatre, once a movie house for the town's resident mine workers, now operates as a lively restaurant and music venue, serving up renowned Tex-Mex style cuisine. Every November, the community hosts the 麻豆AV-famous Terlingua Chili Cookoff, drawing thousands for a weekend of food and revelry.

Terlingua鈥檚 location also makes it an ideal base for exploring Big Bend鈥檚 steep canyons, desert trails, and Rio Grande viewpoints. Her, you can paddle through the Santa Elena Canyon, hike to the South Rim for panoramic views, or soak in the natural hot springs along the river.

Genoa, Nevada

As 狈别惫补诲补鈥檚 oldest settlement, Genoa is a must-visit historic town for history fans. Situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada, it is renowned for holding onto its Wild West charm and providing easy access to its scenic surroundings, which includes the famous Lake Tahoe.

Founded in 1851 as a trading post along the California Trail, the community preserves its pioneer history through sites like Mormon Station State Historic Park, which features a replica of the original trading post and exhibits on early settlers. Furthermore, the Genoa Courthouse Museum offers further insight into the town鈥檚 storied past, including its role in 狈别惫补诲补鈥檚 statehood. Genoa鈥檚 small downtown core also includes cool spots like the Genoa Bar, the state鈥檚 oldest saloon, a watering hole that has served patrons since 1853!

Another exciting attraction is the Genoa Candy Dance, an annual festival held each fall dating back to 1919. This event is fun for the whole family, offering locally produced arts, crafts, and of course, handmade sweets.

As mentioned, this destination in remote northern Nevada is a gateway to some 麻豆AV-class outdoor activities too, with nearby trails leading into the Sierra foothills for hiking, horseback riding, and opportunities to spot mountain and desert dwelling wildlife.

Tubac, Arizona

Founded as a Spanish presidio in 1752, Tubac is one of Arizona鈥檚 oldest settlements and a must-visit center for Southwestern art and history near the Mexican border.

The Tubac Presidio State Historic Park preserves remnants of the original Spanish fort, including an underground archaeological display and a museum detailing the town鈥檚 colonial origins. Nearby, the Tumac谩cori National Historical Park is another fascinating destination, featuring ruins of a 17th-century Franciscan mission and offering insight into early European and Indigenous interactions in the region.

In town, the selection of galleries and shops display handcrafted pottery, jewelry, and textiles is dizzying, with dozens open that you can visit today. This very strong art scene is celebrated at the annual Tubac Festival of the Arts. Held each February, this event draws artists and visitors from across the Southwest to Tubac for a memorable time filled with creativity and regionally inspired art.

Don't forget about the town's natural attractions. The Santa Cruz River鈥檚 cottonwood-lined trails provide a natural contrast to the surrounding Sonoran Desert, making it a highly accessible and scenic spot for hiking and birdwatching.

Durango, Colorado

Seated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains of southern Colorado, the city of Durango is a top-tier destination for those looking to embark on a scenic and active outing. It is also home to a number of other worthwhile attractions, like historic landmarks and a huge selection of quality accommodations, eateries, outfitters, and more.

Established as a railroad town in the late 1800s, Durango鈥檚 historic downtown area is filled with eye-catching Victorian-era structures housing a number of excellent shops, restaurants, and galleries. Anyone who wants to learn about some more ancient local history should visit Mesa Verde National Park, which is home to several surviving ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.

For the train enthusiasts out there, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a historic steam train that still operates today, provides rides through the Animas River Valley and into the rugged San Juan Mountains, offering one of the most unique ways to experience the area.

Durango鈥檚 location makes it a prime base for adventure in the great outdoors. The nearby mountains and national forests provide ample ways for hikers, mountain bikers of all skill levels in the warmer months, and 麻豆AV-class skiing in winter at the locales like Purgatory Resort.

The coal brewery scene is also notable, and makes it easy to grab a cold one after a tiring day outside. The Steamworks Brewing Company is among the most popular in the country, let alone the Southwest.

Bisbee, Arizona

Tucked into the Mule Mountains, Bisbee is another town that sits very close to the border of Mexico. Its storied past is preserved in the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum and the underground Queen Mine Tour, where you can see up close century-old tunnels once worked by miners.

In town, Bisbee's steep, winding streets are lined with colorful buildings that now house many of its businesses and other amenities. Vibrant murals, street art, and live music venues are other highlights adding to the area's charming Southwestern aesthetic. Nightlife also thrives in historic saloons like St. Elmo Bar, while the Copper Queen Hotel offers a cozy stay (if you are okay with the rumored ghost sightings).

Bisbee hosts famous events like the Bisbee After 5 art walk and the Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb, an annual race up the notoriously steep staircases in and around town. For those seeking more active experiences here, the surrounding desert and mountains are full of hiking and biking trails crossing through this deserty borderland.

Torrey, Utah

Located just outside Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey is a prime spot to witness some of 鲍迟补丑鈥檚 most awe-inspiring red rock landscapes. The town itself is small, but its location along Scenic Byway 12 makes it an essential stop for travelers exploring the vast beauty of southern Utah.

Capitol Reef鈥檚 sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and ancient petroglyphs are just minutes away, with popular hikes like Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch offering stunning views. Torrey鈥檚 setting at 6,800 feet also provides a cooler climate than many Utah desert communities, with cottonwood-lined streets and a backdrop featuring the towering Waterpocket Fold, an extensive geologic landform that exposes the region's fascinating natural history.

Stargazing in this remote area of Utah is a major draw too, as Torrey is designated an International Dark Sky Community, offering incredibly clear views of the Milky Way and other celestial wonders.

Jemez Springs, New Mexico

Resting within the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico, Jemez Springs is a small village best known for its natural hot springs, dramatic red rock scenery, and centuries-old cultural heritage.

If 'hot springs' jumps out to you, the area鈥檚 geothermal activity fuels several public and private soaking pools, including the Jemez Springs Bath House, which has been in operation since the 1870s. Nearby, Spence Hot Springs and San Antonio Hot Springs offer a more secluded, natural soaking experience, a perfect way to end an active day outdoors.

And you will probably want to spend some time outside while visiting. The surrounding Santa Fe National Forest provides access to hiking trails leading to waterfalls, slot canyons, and scenic overlooks, including the popular trail to Soda Dam, a unique rock formation created by mineral-rich hot spring deposits.

Jemez Springs is also home to historical sites like the Jemez Historic Site, where you can walk amongst the ruins of a 17th-century Spanish mission and a nicely preserved ancestral pueblo, a remnant of the original native inhabitants.

Make the Southwest Your Next Travel Destination this Year

From lofty mountain towns to rugged desert communities, the southwest is among the most diverse and beautiful corners of the United States. The above mentioned destinations are just a handful of the amazing places that you can explore in 2025.

Whether you are after a ski hill towering above a vast red rock landscape or want to taste some of the region's delicious Spanish and Native-inspired cuisines, you can truly find it all in the Southwest this year. So what are you waiting for? Use this guide to start writing up your itinerary and plot out your next American adventure today!