Building in suburbia is one thing, but creating an off-grid home in the wilderness far away from civilisation requires creative thinking, innovation and courage. From a treetop retreat and a desert hideaway to a converted observation tower, we've brought together the world's most secluded, self-sufficient properties that offer a welcome escape from the rat race.
Click or scroll on to venture off the beaten path and step inside these extraordinary off-grid homes...
Nestled in the town of El Venado in the Mexican state of Oaxaca lies this breathtaking eco oasis. A stone's throw from the ocean, the dome house is part of a 2.5-acre (1ha) off-grid estate known as New Ruins, a permaculture project where environmentally conscious living takes centre stage.
Exemplifying the community's ethos, the home is constructed with superadobe. Like adobe, it consists of a mixture of earth and organic materials, however, it's combined with lime and compressed into fabric tubes or bags and layered to form a structure. Cost-effective and robust, it's even said to be resilient against earthquake tremors.
Flanked by a swimming pool, the dome house is available to rent on Airbnb, giving guests the chance to experience eco-friendly living in the midst of nature without sacrificing any creature comforts.
Impressively, the entirety of the estate is powered by solar energy, which is unsurprisingly in abundance in this corner of the world. Solar-powered wells pump water to the acreage's properties and also filter drinking water for residents.
The eco home features two queen-sized bedrooms, the largest of which is on the first floor. Vast arched windows promote cooling cross-ventilation across the space and the crisp white walls help to reflect the heat.
The room's decoration references local craftsmanship and time-honoured materials – rustic wood furniture adds to the scheme's organic feel and vibrant traditional textiles impart plenty of personality.
Pictured here is the second bedroom tucked away in the loft, which is accessed via a ladder. Two semi-circular windows bathe the space in light, while wood floors add character.
While Mexico is frequently hot and humid, the rammed-earth walls in the dome house measure 1.6 feet (0.5m) thick, which helps to regulate the interior temperature and keep the living spaces cool and comfortable during the day and night.
The heart of the estate, the communal kitchen is situated in a separate building on the property. Guests can choose to dine together in this beautiful alfresco pavilion, sheltered by a stunning wood-beamed roof.
New Ruins is set up for self-sufficient living, with over 50 fruit trees and vegetable gardens supplying produce to the estate.
Elsewhere, there's an outdoor shower tucked away in a nook in the rocks and two composting toilets.
Sited beneath a canopy of macrocarpa trees in a rural spot near Mount Taranaki on New Zealand's North Island, this off-grid treehouse is a thoroughly enchanting place to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The four-storey property runs completely off-grid, relying on a combination of solar power and hydropower for its energy. Its construction is also environmentally minded, utilising salvaged and recycled materials including timber and metal.
A repurposed spiral staircase traverses the exterior of the treehouse and connects its three levels, which house a bedroom, kitchen, lounge and bathroom, as well as a bike store at ground level complete with an e-bike charging point.
The home's unusual form is shaped by its playful eccentricities – a slide offers residents an alternative descent from the top levels, while swings are suspended from the underside of the elevated deck.
While the rental home is compact, its interior is beautifully designed. The open-plan main living room houses the kitchen, which features sleek brass fixtures and taps and stylish dark cabinetry.
The cooking zone flows effortlessly through to the bright and airy lounge – the walls and ceiling are encased in light-permeable sheeting, bathing the room in natural light while protecting the privacy of occupants.
A ladder connects the main living area to the sleeping loft in the eaves above, which is the highest point of the property. The snug space is large enough to accommodate a double bed and even a nifty fold-down desk, which conceals storage in the void below it.
However, the loft's pièce de résistance has to be the incredible wall of picture windows, which frame breathtaking vistas of the woodlands. Imagine waking up to that view!
The home's upper deck is a tranquil place to bask in the dappled sunlight that filters through the canopy. Built around the existing tree trunks, the raised terrace features a timber tabletop and bar stools for outdoor dining and a hanging egg chair.
Tucked away on the left, you'll also find the outdoor bathtub, the perfect place for forest bathing – quite literally.
Got a head for heights? This high-rise Airbnb elevated some 60 feet (18.3m) above the forest floor in Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness takes off-grid living to a whole new level.
The extraordinary residence comprises two repurposed shipping containers perched atop a metal look-out tower. 12 flights of stairs lead up to the property, with viewpoints situated at every flight so visitors can take in the picturesque woodlands as they ascend.
The self-sufficient retreat runs on an extensive solar panel system, which is mounted to the property's roof. Running water is channelled from a nearby well, while heating in the colder months is supplied by propane wall heaters and a small wood-burning stove.
Not only does the property take up a minimal footprint on the forest ground, but its sustainable systems ensure its environmental footprint is minimal too.
The interior is structured across two shipping containers, which are called cabs. The colourful main cab encompasses the bedroom, dining zone and a small kitchenette complete with a fridge, microwave and deep metal sink.
It also offers access to the balcony with a barbecue grill, where you can cook and dine overlooking the treetops.
Encircled by floor-to-ceiling windows, the tower's selling point is without a doubt those dramatic views across the wilderness. Immersed in nature, guests can watch the commanding outlook change with the shifting light and weather.
Meanwhile, the property's second smaller cab contains the bathroom, featuring a walk-in shower, toilet and vanity unit.
The rooftop terrace provides an even more breathtaking vantage point. Positioned on the same level as the tree canopy, it features a firepit and outdoor lounge chairs for relaxing alfresco. It's an ideal spot to watch the sunrise surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest or stargaze after nightfall away from the pollution of major cities.
If you're looking to reconnect with nature, it doesn't get much better than this.
Aptly named, La Cabin can be found in Quebec, Canada close to the waters of Lake Beauport.
Positioned on a rocky plinth at the top of Mont-Tourbillon, some 1,902 feet (580m) above sea level, the property is both secluded and incredibly snug.
The ultimate holiday home, La Cabin is anchored into position and is almost one with its surroundings. It was carefully placed to ensure the interior captures dreamy sunset and sunrise views, while every inch of space inside has been maximised.
Of course, the tiny house is entirely autonomous, so even in extremely cold weather any guests will be toasty warm when inside. This is thanks to a solar panel array, two auxiliary heaters and a high-performance wood stove.
As for interior design, the remote residence allows the landscape beyond to do all the talking thanks to its large windows.
The woodland outside is referenced in the home's natural timber walls, floors and ceilings, while clever space-saving furnishings ensure there's plenty of storage. There's a kitchen, lounge area, dining space and four beds.
Even better, this isolated retreat also boasts plenty of hidden surprises, including suspended nest hammocks and floating beds, making this property as cool as it is inviting.
Built to blend in with their dramatic desert surroundings, these modern metal cabins, which form one property, were built from weathered steel.
The unique self-sufficient structures are located on the desert plains of Joshua Tree National Park in sunny California.
Created by architect Malek Alqadi of Cohesion, the eye-catching home was designed for keen travellers seeking an off-grid adventure that also allowed for modern luxuries.
Known as Folly, the rust-coloured structures were constructed from locally sourced salvaged steel, while the interior offers a rustic, urban finish with plywood walls and metal finishes.
A large solar panel powers the home, with guests able to monitor their energy consumption and control lighting, temperature and security during their stay.
Available to rent on Airbnb, lucky guests can truly enjoy a taste of off-grid living thanks to the cabin's open-air bedroom. Sleep under the stars and drift off while you listen to the sound of nearby crickets. What could be better than that?
Outside, you'll find a wooden solar-powered hot tub, where you can take a dip while taking in the night sky and surrounding scenery. Carefully orchestrated uplighting across the shrublands adds to the enchanting alfresco atmosphere.
Positioned in the town of Mudgee in New South Wales, Australia, this unique off-grid retreat lies close to the Cudgegong River valley.
Known as Gawthorne's Hut, the property was designed by Cameron Anderson Architects and stands stark against the surrounding landscape, with its metal-clad façade and sharp, sloping roofline.
Inside, the cosy cabin is warm and inviting, with plenty of luxurious touches. There’s a galley kitchen, a dining area, a king-sized bed, a sitting room and a bathroom, all packed into two, free-flowing rooms.
Built to capture stunning views, the hut features large windows and doors that frame the Mudgee Valley, providing lucky guests with peace, privacy and a sense of isolation.
Despite its compact interior, the property is airy and bright, thanks to its high ceilings, extensive glass and exposed natural timber.
Outside, there's a firepit, where guests can keep warm while they enjoy the great outdoors. However, this cosy feature is closed during the summer months to ensure its compliance with NSW Rural Bush Fire Restrictions.
Plus, the property is eco-friendly and has rainwater harvesting units and solar panels that power its lighting, hot water and air-conditioning.
How's that for cool? It's no wonder this amazing tiny home was named Best Small Project of 2021 by the Australian Institute of Architects.
When it comes to off-grid living, things don't get much more exciting than this. Spectacular and unique in equal measure, this impressive observation tower can be found in Tiller, Oregon, and soars up 40 feet (12.2m) into the air.
The unique tower can be found secluded in a 40-acre (16.2ha) meadow inside a private estate. Surrounded by the Umpqua National Forest in Douglas County, the retreat can't really get any more remote, which makes it perfect for those seeking some time away from the rat race.
Known as Summit Prairie, the high-altitude home was built in 2009 and was modelled after the Fire Lookout Towers constructed by the US Forest Service in the early 1900s.
Yet there's nothing old-fashioned about this pad. Inside, you'll find everything you could need for modern living, including hot running water and comfortable beds.
Despite its amazing interior and beautiful view, the tower's exterior is also worth a mention. It comes complete with endless land for hiking and foraging, as well as hammocks and a wood-fired, spring-fed hot tub.
Outside, you can sit back and watch the world go by on your own private terrace. There's even an outdoor shower located on the balcony, where you can take in amazing landscape views while you bathe. However, the pit toilet is about 100 feet (30.5m) from the base of the tower, so there's a 'pee pot' provided in one of the sleeping areas and a 'pee funnel' located off the side of the tower!
With not a soul for miles around, this is the ultimate off-grid option for anyone seeking a digital detox. If you fancy spending the night here, then head over to Airbnb.
Proving that not all eco homes are made equal, the Off-grid itHouse is a fine example of modern desert architecture. Located in Pioneertown, California the striking sustainable structure was designed by architect Taalman Koch in 2007 and yet it hasn't aged a day...
The compact cabin is formed from prefabricated components that were made off-site to better control construction waste and the overall quality of the finished product.
The home's glass walls and easy, open-plan layout mean it has an idyllic indoor-outdoor flow, while its construction method means it has a minimal impact on the environment upon which it stands.
The house boasts a chic industrial aesthetic thanks to its exposed structural elements, steel accents and metallic colour palette.
The house is entirely off-grid and solar panels provide energy and hot water. It also offers passive heating and cooling, while its site orientation allows for natural cross ventilation even on the hottest of summer days.
Plus, to ensure the internal environment stays nice and comfortable, the glass house also comes equipped with a sun-shading screen and privacy zones.
Designed for four adults, the off-grid property features two bedrooms, one bathroom, a dining area, a kitchen and a living room that offers framed views of the California high desert.
The property has gained plenty of recognition, too. Dwell called it one of the "best homes in America', while the Los Angeles Times declared it one of the best houses of all time in Southern California.
If, like us, you've fallen in love, then you can spend the night in this gorgeous off-grid home.
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