Salome, AZ

Salome is a small desert community along U.S. Route 60 in western Arizona's McMullen Valley. Home to around a thousand year-round residents, the town offers wide-open spaces roughly halfway between Wickenburg and the Colorado River. It began in the early 1900s as a roadside stop for travelers and miners, and today it draws retirees, seasonal visitors, and anyone looking for quiet, affordable desert living.

ATTRMarine 69-71 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Daily life centers around a few local diners, neighborhood RV parks, and Salome High School, which serves students from across the valley. The area gets a nice boost of energy during the winter months, when visitors arrive to enjoy the mild weather and ride ATVs through the surrounding desert trails. Living here requires driving into larger towns like Wickenburg or Buckeye for major shopping and healthcare, but residents appreciate the slow pace, dark night skies, and close-knit community.