Explore the uninhabited areas of the United States, offering hidden natural beauty, forgotten history, and incredible ecosystem richness.

The United States is a country that has a variety of extraordinary natural landscapes. From towering mountains to beautiful beaches, this country offers a variety of interesting places.

However, outside the busy areas, there are a number of places that are completely uninhabited and rarely known by many people. These areas are often located on remote islands or hard-to-reach areas, largely forgotten by most people.

Some of these places were once inhabited or have a strong human history, but are now largely protected for conservation or other reasons. Let’s explore 10 uninhabited areas in the United States that are rich in natural beauty and mystery.

1. Palmyra Atoll, US Minor Outlying Islands

Located in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and American Samoa, Palmyra Atoll is a 4.6 square mile atoll that is almost completely uninhabited. The island is known for its incredible biodiversity, including over 150 species of coral, making it a much richer habitat than Hawaii.

However, Palmyra Atoll is strictly restricted to visitors and is only accessible by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for research and conservation purposes. Its natural beauty and rich ecosystem make this atoll important even though it is uninhabited.

2. Rose Atoll, American Samoa

Rose Atoll is the smallest atoll in the Samoan Islands at just 1.62 x 1.68 miles, and at high tide, it covers only 12 hectares. Despite its small size, the atoll covers a much larger area at 1,560 hectares and is a strictly protected wildlife sanctuary.

Rose Atoll is home to giant clams, reef fish, and is the location of the largest seabird colony in American Samoa. Due to its status as a wildlife sanctuary, Rose Atoll is restricted to scientific research and is not accessible to the general public.

3. Howland Island, US Minor Outlying Islands

Located more than 2,000 miles from the mainland United States, Howland Island is a small island that now serves as a National Wildlife Refuge.

The island has 32,074 hectares of land submerged in water along with the coral reefs that surround it, creating a hazard for boats and anyone trying to enter without proper navigation skills.

Although the island was once used as a flight path, today Howland Island is only accessible to experienced sailors who follow strict guidelines.

4. Baker Island, US Minor Outlying Islands

Baker Island is located halfway between Hawaii and Australia, making it one of the farthest islands from North America. It was once known as New Nantucket before being purchased by the United States.

Today, the island is a National Wildlife Refuge and is only visited once a year by members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Although the island is uninhabited, remnants of human life can still be found, including graves and ruins that remind us of the days when humans once lived there.

5. Jarvis Island, US Minor Outlying Islands

Jarvis Island is a coral island located midway between Hawaii and the Cook Islands, which was previously inhabited by humans. However, after World War II and attacks that threatened the settlement, the island was eventually evacuated.

Jarvis Island is now an uninhabited area and can only be accessed for conservation purposes. However, some building ruins from past settlements still remain. The island is home to various marine and bird species which are now protected under wildlife sanctuary status.

6. Johnston Atoll, US Minor Outlying Islands

Johnston Atoll is located in the Pacific Ocean and is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a National Wildlife Refuge. The atoll is known as an important conservation area for various species of seabirds and reef fish.

However, the island is strictly restricted to visitors and can only be accessed by designated officers. Much of the island is also used by the United States Air Force, making it a no-go zone for the general public. With its well-maintained environment, Johnston Atoll is a habitat for important marine life.

7. Kingman Reef, US Minor Outlying Islands

Kingman Reef is a small area located between Hawaii and American Samoa, with a land area of only 0.012 square miles. In 1876, a ship reportedly struck a coral reef at Kingman Reef, which caused the area to receive great attention.

Although the island is very small and uninhabited, Kingman Reef is a strictly protected area and can only be used for research or conservation. The coral reefs here act as a threat to ships sailing through its waters, but also provide high ecological value.

8. Navassa Island, US Minor Outlying Islands

Navassa Island is an island located between Haiti and Jamaica, and to this day still sparks a dispute over its ownership between the United States and Haiti. The island has no permanent population and has been a protected site by the US government.

Known for its natural resource potential, especially phosphate, the island is now managed as a conservation area. Despite debate over its status, Navassa Island remains part of a protected and uninhabited area.

9. Northern Islands Municipality, Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Islands Municipality is a territory in the Northern Mariana Islands consisting of a number of outlying islands. These islands are sparsely inhabited, although there are a few houses used as seasonal or secondary residences.

In general, these islands are mostly empty throughout the year, and residents only come for specific purposes. This area is better known for its natural surroundings, which are still very pristine and rarely inhabited by people.

10. Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands

Bikini Atoll, notorious as a nuclear weapons testing site in the mid-20th century, is now an uninhabited area protected as a historical site.

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Bikini Atoll is known not only for its nuclear history, but also as a home to a variety of protected marine species.

For many years, the area remained deserted and only a few scientists had permission to visit the island for research purposes. Nevertheless, its pristine natural beauty and fascinating history still make it a site full of mystery.

The United States is home to many remote and uninhabited areas that hold incredible natural beauty and forgotten history. From atolls in the Pacific Ocean to tiny isolated islands, each of these areas offers a charm that can’t be found anywhere else.

Much of this land is managed for conservation or scientific research, but its natural beauty and unique ecosystems remain part of the United States’ natural wealth.

Vulcan Point, a remarkable geological feature known as an island within a lake on an island, is an example of such natural wonders.

With limited access, these areas continue to be protected and guarded, becoming a symbol of how many places are still preserved in this world even though humans have long abandoned them.