Could these 3 towns be the next Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree is one of the most visited National Parks in the US and for good reason. Dramatic sunsets, high desert serenity, beautiful skies, and adventurous terrain make it an ideal urban escape to get away from it all and unplug. Add in a funky artists colony history and dreamy architecture, Joshua Tree as a destination is hard to beat, which is why it draws nearly 3 million visitors a year.

As it continues to be a hotspot for co-buy groups to look for listings, it also begs the question… are there similar destinations that can potentially be the next Joshua Tree?

The answer is… maybe.

I spent hours researching and found 3 towns that have the potential to be the next Joshua Tree in the future. If you are looking for ground floor opportunities and more isolation in the Southwest, these towns will stoke your curiosity and imagination.

Terlingua, Texas

This might be my favorite pick for the next Joshua Tree, however it’s remote location makes it less accessible. This could be a pro or con depending on your preferences.

• Sparsely populated. 110 residents in 2020.
• Near Big Bend National Park. Rio Grande.
• Big Bend visitors per year: 580,000
• Airports: Marfa (1 hour 45 min drive) / El Paso (5 hour drive)
• Old quicksilver mining town from the 1800’s.
• Off the beaten path.
• Unreal scenery near Big Bend.
• True escape.
• Willow House Retreat

Castle Valley, Utah

If views are your thing, Castle Valley might have the most unreal views in the US. The castle-like, carved mountains honestly look like they are out of a painting. Bonus, Castle Valley is only a dozen or so miles from Moab and offers access to some of Utah’s most stunning landscapes and activities.

• Sparsely populated. 354 residents in 2021.
• Moab region visitors/year: 1.8 Million
• Airport: Moab (30 minute drive)
• 8 square miles. Only a handful of homes/land for sale at any given point.
• Lots of land for building.
• Unreal views
• Some of the most dramatic mountain formations in North America.
• Nature. River rafting, horseback riding, hiking.
• True escape. Off the beaten track. Quiet Oasis.
• Bed and Breakfast

Madrid / Cerrillos, New Mexico

Do you keep hearing about New Mexico’s burgeoning artist scene, Santa Fe? But want less people and more nature? Situated between Santa Fe and Albuquerque are the small towns of Madrid and Cerrillos. With just enough art influence from Santa Fe, and nestled in the south of the Rockies, these small towns offer an adobe escape perfect for unwinding.

• Population of Cerrillos proper is 90 in 2020
• Santa Fe Visitors/year: 1.5 Million
• Airports: Santa Fe (35 minute drive) / Albuquerque (1 hour drive)
• Southwest plateau type landscape with dramatic views.
• Quirky little art town.
• Horseback riding.
• Ghost town history.
• Funky chic adobe style homes with modern amenities.