Discover the hidden and mysterious uninhabited areas of the United States, offering stunning natural beauty and forgotten history.
The United States is a country of incredible natural and geographic diversity, but there are many areas that are uninhabited and rarely heard of by the public.
These areas are often hidden in the middle of the ocean, on remote islands, or areas that are inaccessible to most people.
Most of these places used to be inhabited or used by humans, but now they are mostly conservation areas or areas that are strictly guarded by the government. Here are 10 uninhabited areas in the United States that are full of mystery and stunning natural beauty.
1. Palmyra Atoll, US Minor Outlying Islands
Palmyra Atoll is an area located in the Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and American Samoa. At 4.6 square miles, it is one of the largest uninhabited atolls in the United States.
The atoll is known for its extremely rich biodiversity, including 150 species of coral, which is twice as many as found in Hawaii.
However, access to Palmyra Atoll is very limited and only the US Fish and Wildlife Service can visit the area. Despite this, the island is still seen as a place of great ecological importance and continues to be protected.
2. Rose Atoll, American Samoa
Rose Atoll is the smallest atoll in the Samoan Islands, measuring only 1.62 x 1.68 miles, and is home to a variety of marine flora and fauna. At high tide, the island is only 12 hectares in size, but the entire atoll covers 1,560 hectares.
As a National Wildlife Refuge, Rose Atoll is home to giant clams, reef fish, and the largest seabird colony in American Samoa. The sanctuary is strictly protected, and only scientists and conservation managers are allowed to visit the island.
3. Howland Island, US Minor Outlying Islands
Howland Island is an island located more than 2,000 miles from the mainland United States and is known as a National Wildlife Refuge.
The area covers an area of approximately 32,074 hectares and the coral reefs that surround it create a maritime hazard for anyone attempting to enter without proper navigation skills.
Previously, this island was used as a flight location by sailors, but now this area is only accessible to experienced sailors.
4. Baker Island, US Minor Outlying Islands
Baker Island is located between Hawaii and Australia, making it the farthest island from North America. It was formerly known as New Nantucket before being purchased by the United States.
Baker Island is now a National Wildlife Refuge, visited only once a year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The island is also a historical site, as there are still ruins and graves that remind us of the days when humans once lived there. However, today, the island is completely deserted.
5. Jarvis Island, US Minor Outlying Islands
Jarvis Island is a coral island located between Hawaii and the Cook Islands, which was once inhabited by people before being evacuated due to threats during World War II. The island is now deserted and only accessible by authorities for conservation purposes.
However, some building ruins and remnants of human life can still be found there. Jarvis Island is home to various marine and bird species that are now protected under wildlife sanctuary status.
6. Johnston Atoll, US Minor Outlying Islands
Johnston Atoll is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean and is currently managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a National Wildlife Refuge. The island also has a restricted zone controlled by the United States Air Force.
Access to the island is strictly restricted, and only designated officials are allowed to enter. As a nature conservation site, the atoll is known to be home to a large number of seabird species and reef fish.
7. Kingman Reef, US Minor Outlying Islands
Kingman Reef is an area located halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa, but has a very small land area, only 0.012 square miles. In 1876, a ship reportedly struck this reef, which sparked further attention to the area.
Kingman Reef is now considered a maritime threat due to its extremely dangerous coral reef. Access to the island is very limited, and can only be used for conservation or research purposes.
8. Navassa Island, US Minor Outlying Islands
Navassa Island is located between Haiti and Jamaica, and is the island that sparked a dispute between the US and Haiti over its ownership.
Although the United States claims the island as part of its territory, Navassa Island is uninhabited and has no permanent residents.
The island is a highly controversial place due to its natural resource potential, but is currently managed by the US government as a conservation area.
9. Northern Islands Municipality, Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Islands Municipality in the Northern Mariana Islands is an area known for its sparsely inhabited islands. Although there are a few houses used as seasonal or secondary residences, the area remains mostly empty throughout the year.
Residents who do come there generally come for specific purposes, and the area is very rarely permanently inhabited.
10. Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands
Bikini Atoll, notorious for its history as a nuclear weapons testing site in the mid-20th century, is now uninhabited and protected as a historical site. The island is located in the Pacific Ocean and is home to a variety of protected marine species.
Although its nuclear status left the area deserted in the past, the US government now manages Bikini Atoll as a wildlife sanctuary, and only a few scientists have access to the island for research purposes.
The United States has a number of uninhabited areas scattered across remote areas, from atolls in the Pacific Ocean to small islands in the open ocean. These areas have a unique history, and most serve as wildlife sanctuaries or strictly protected conservation sites.
Vulcan Point is one such fascinating location, known for being a small island within a lake, which itself is inside a volcano.
With invaluable natural beauty, these areas remain a symbol of how many natural areas are still preserved in the world, even though humans have long abandoned them.
