From Alabama to Wyoming, every American state has a natural high point it’s rightly proud of. And while some of these locations are a little further from sea level than others, they do all – in their own way – stand tall on the map. Some completionists, known as "highpointers," have tasked themselves with visiting the roof of all 50 states. To simplify this process, we’ve ranked all of them in ascending order.
Click through this gallery to see the highest point in every US state…
Think of Florida and chances are it’s not mountains that spring to mind. Oranges? Yes. Beaches? Sure. Golf? Absolutely. But it’s not a destination you’re ever going to visit with crampons and ice axes.
With a summit just 345 feet above sea level, Britton Hill is officially the lowest "highest point" in the United States. Walton County locals wear it as a badge of honor, even joking about the non-existent risk of altitude sickness.
Only just over 100 feet higher than Britton Hill, Ebright Azimuth’s summit boasts an elevation of 448 feet. Don't expect epic views or a challenging climb; instead, highpointers can drive up to it, park beside it, and walk up to it in about five steps.
Posing for a fun photo at the marker (pictured) and bench, situated just south of the Pennsylvania state line, is a must. The high point’s unusual name stems from its location along Ebright Road.
Seasoned climbers may feel that labeling Driskill Mountain a "mountain" is a bit of stretch. At just 535 feet above sea level, you’d have to stack 55 Driskill Mountains on top of each other to reach the peak of Mount Everest. What it lacks in size, however, it more than makes up for with its beautiful scenery and sense of adventure. Found in the forests of Bienville Parish, Driskill serves up a short yet memorable hike.
Sat in Tishomingo County, the summit of Woodall Mountain is 806 feet above sea level. You’ll find it nestled in the northeast corner of Mississippi, just southwest of Iuka in the westernmost foothills of the southern Appalachians. In September 1862, during the American Civil War, it was the site of the Battle of Iuka. The mountain itself is thought to be named after Zephaniah H Woodall, a former county sheriff.
Right near North Foster, 20 miles west of Providence, you’ll find Jerimoth Hill and the highest point in "Little Rhody." Located on land owned by Brown University, it has an elevation of 812 feet.
As you’ve probably guessed already, the hike to the summit won’t require hiking poles or camping gear. The out-and-back trail, which is open year-round, is less than half a mile in length, and should take about five minutes to complete.
In the northwest corner of Illinois, right beside the Wisconsin border, Charles Mound sits with an elevation of 1,235 feet. Unlike much of the Midwest, this region wasn’t flattened by glacial activity and features rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and gorgeous scenery. Be aware that Charles Mound is situated on private property, so public access is limited to the first weekends of June, July, August, and September.
Hidden among a grove of trees by a field in Eastern Indiana, you’ll come across Hoosier Hill. With a modest elevation of 1,257 feet, the Hoosier State’s highest point is a charming place of interest in the American Heartland.
The area leading to the summit ascends gradually, before flattening out at the high point. It’s not the most spectacular view on this list, but most visitors are keen to pose for a photo with the Hoosier Hill rock (pictured) after making the short walk.
Sitting 1,550 feet above sea level, Campbell Hill – named after the 19th-century landowner Charles D Campbell – has served various roles over the years. In the Cold War, it operated as a strategic military site for the 664th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, monitoring for potential air attacks.
Now the home of the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, the fabled mound is visible from a nearby road. The hike from the parking area couldn’t be simpler, with a round-trip distance of less than half a mile and no significant elevation gain.
Until 2008, Iowa’s highest point was hidden by acres of tall corn. Situated in Osceola County, the spot’s whereabouts was only really known by local residents and the National Highpointers Foundation. Thankfully, times have changed.
Today, Hawkeye Point is a popular roadside stop for travelers, with a range of useful amenities. Rising 20 feet above the surrounding farmland and serving up picturesque views of the state’s landscape, its true elevation is 1,670 feet above sea level.
In Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, you can stand on the top of Missouri and take in the view. Poking out amid the park’s 7,500 acres, with an elevation 1,772 feet above sea level, is the summit of Taum Sauk Mountain.
Part of the St Francois Mountains and home to the Show-Me State’s tallest waterfall, Mina Sauk Falls, it's a dreamy spot to connect with nature. Explore the trails of the mountain and the wider park in spring, when the water is in full flow, or in fall, when the foliage is at its most striking.
Reaching 1,803 feet above sea level, the top of the Kittatinny Ridge is where you’ll find the highest spot in New Jersey. The imaginatively named High Point is the summit of the mountain and is home to the High Point Monument, dedicated to the state’s veterans.
Make the effort to get up there and you’ll be rewarded with unmatched views over three states. People have been developing this hike for hundreds of years, building trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds.
Found in Timm’s Hill County Park, Timm’s Hill stands 1,951 feet tall. Thanks to the observation tower at its summit, you’re able to look down on nearby Bass Lake and take in breathtaking 30-mile views of the expansive Northwoods.
Once you’ve seen the sights from up high, you can set about exploring the trails. Whether you’re a mountain biker, a hiker, or a horseback rider, you’re sure to get your kicks. Relaxing at the picnic tables or on the fishing pier is also an option.
Up in the rugged Huron Mountains, in Baraga County, the 1,979-foot peak known as Mount Arvon offers superb views of Lake Superior and the surrounding wilderness. Reaching the summit requires a short but challenging hike through dense forests and across rocky terrain, but the effort is well worth it. Far from the highest mountain in America, Arvon’s appeal lies in its remoteness, unique geology, and untamed beauty.
What better name for the roof of Minnesota than a mighty bird of prey? Standing at 2,301 feet above sea level, within the rugged and scenic Misquah Hills, Eagle Mountain is reached via a modest yet rewarding hike through the Superior Natural Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It's situated just 15 miles from Minnesota’s lowest point, Lake Superior, with its elevation of just 600 feet.
One of only three state high points that is not the summit of the hill or mountain it's on, the top of Connecticut can be found on Mount Frissell’s southwest shoulder. The most accessible route to it is a hike from the AMC parking area near the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line.
Brace yourself for some stunning views along the way, especially from Round Mountain and Mount Frissell's steeper sections. The well-marked trail is suitable for beginners, with a round trip expected to take between two and three hours.
Meaning "high place" in the Muscogee language, Cheaha is nestled among the lush, dense dreaminess of Talladega National Forest. At its summit, 2,407 feet above sea level, you’ll find a campground, hotel, and state-operated convenience store. Not much of a hiking fan? Fear not. You can drive to within feet of Alabama’s highest point, making it one of the most accessible peaks on this list.
Thanks to the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas is home to some of North America’s oldest peaks. Among these ancient rock formations, up on the flat-topped plateau of Mount Magazine, you’ll find two peaks: Signal Hill and Mossback Ridge. The first of these hits a height of 2,753 feet, which makes it the state’s highest point.
To get to the top, make for the Benefield Trail (West Loop). Hikers are rewarded with mixed pine and hardwood forest, and opportunities to enjoy wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and even deer and bear sightings. The vistas aren’t bad either.
To visit the highest point in Pennsylvania, get yourself to Somerset County and the Forbes State Forest. There, at the summit of Mount Davis, 3,213 feet above sea level, you’ll find an observation tower, beautiful trails, and a rich sense of history.
Named after John Nelson Davis, a noted settler and community leader in the 19th century, the mountain has played its part in local lore and the American frontier. The most popular route to its summit is the High Point Trail, a two-mile round-trip hike built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
With a summit 3,360 feet above sea level, Hoye Crest is officially Maryland’s highest point. All you need to do to reach it is tackle a relatively simple 2.3-mile-long out-and-back trail.
Part of Backbone Mountain, on the Maryland-West Virginia border in the Appalachian Mountains, the peak’s commemorative sign (pictured) is crying out for a "mission accomplished" selfie. Nearby attractions include the smallest church in the lower 48 states.
When visiting Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet, timing is everything. Stand at the summit on a clear day, and you can see as far as 90 miles. You can drive or hike to the top here, making the view accessible to any age and fitness.
Part of the Berkshire Mountains, Greylock boasts some of the most picture-perfect landscapes in the eastern United States. The captivating terrain, visible from an observation deck near Pittsfield, is even said to have inspired Herman Melville's Moby Dick.
Sandwiched between Amidon and Bowman in the southwest part of the state, where it hits an elevation of 3,506 feet, White Butte delivers breathtaking views over the surrounding badlands and prairies. The route to the summit involves a relatively straightforward out-and-back hike, 3.4 miles in length and featuring 426 feet of vertical gain.
Part of the Dakota Hogback Formation, White Butte consists of sedimentary rock deposited over 60 million years ago. Considered a sacred site by the Dakota and Lakota tribes, be sure to respect the land and follow trail etiquette.
With the help of its relatively new observation tower, which opened to the public in 2019, Sassafras Mountain serves up soaring views over three states: South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Looking out from an elevation of 3,533 feet, there’s surely no better way to take in the scenic Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area.
Named after the native sassafras trees that thrive in the area, the mountain pulls in hikers and nature lovers like moths to a flame. The trees have historical significance too, as Native Americans used them for medical purposes and as cooking spices.
Mount Sunflower boasts perhaps the nicest name of any high point on this list. Found in the western reaches of Kansas, right beside the Colorado border in Wallace County, it rises to 4,039 feet. Less mountainous than you might expect, the summit itself comes at the end of a gradual rise rather than a dramatic incline. At the top is a sculpture created by Ed and Cindy Harold, the ranchers who own the land.
Better known for its extensive cave systems than its mountains, Kentucky is still home to a highest point that’s a not-to-be-sniffed-at 4,145 feet above sea level. Sat within a couple of hours of notable landmarks like Mount Rogers, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Mount Mitchell, Black Mountain has charmed outdoor enthusiasts for decades.
Due to the operations of coal companies, hikers used to need a waiver to access Black Mountain's summit, but this requirement was dropped after the state acquired the land in 2018.
Take yourself to Chittenden County, and the prominent sight of Mount Mansfield is hard to miss. From certain angles, Vermont’s highest peak is said to resemble a human face, and it has distinctly-named sections that reflect this, including Adam's Apple (4,060 feet), Chin (4,393 feet, and the highest point), and Forehead (3,940 feet).
The Long Trail, which stretches roughly 2.3 miles from Adams Apple to Forehead, is one of only two places in the Green Mountain State where alpine tundra still exists.
In the wilderness of Chattahoochee National Forest, Brasstown Bald, also known as Enotah, protrudes up to an elevation of 4,784 feet. Found near the North Carolina border, in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the mountain and its surrounding area are an outdoorsy haven for hikers and stargazers.
Some choose to walk the roughly half-mile paved trail to the top, while there are longer routes available for those looking to really earn the views. Don’t want to hike? There’s a free shuttle service that runs from the parking area to the summit.
Part of Spruce Mountain, Spruce Knob may have a silly name but the breathtaking views from its summit are anything but. With an elevation of 4,863 feet, this Monongahela National Forest gem is a must-do on your West Virginia travel itinerary.
Blending rugged beauty, diverse ecosystems, natural history, and cultural significance, the highest ridge in the Allegheny Mountains will turn your face into a heart-eyes emoji. Climb the Spruce Knob Observation Tower, built in 1969, to fully appreciate the landscape and see where Indigenous peoples once roamed.
Nestled in the northwest corner of the Panhandle, Oklahoma’s highest point (4,975 feet) is so named because of the dark pumice found all over the historic terrain. A remnant of volcanic activity 30 million years ago, Black Mesa straddles the borders of three states (Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico).
Once home to Native American tribes before becoming a strategic military location, today it’s a protected nature preserve where Rocky Mountain vibes meet shortgrass prairie ecosystems. The actual summit of Black Mesa lies in Colorado.
With a name that means "greatest mountain" in Penobscot, Katahdin has a lot to live up to. Fortunately, the stunning spot succeeds with 5,269 feet of elevation and a location at the northern terminus of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Sat by Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, there’s plenty here for outdoor enthusiasts to admire. The mountain itself is sacred to Indigenous peoples and has played a central role in the histories and traditions of tribal communities.
The pinnacle of the Adirondacks and of New York State, Mount Marcy’s majestic summit is 5,344 feet above sea level. Reaching up to roughly 800 feet above the tree line, it’s a notable peak that towers commandingly over its surroundings.
One of the more challenging hikes we’ve discussed so far, accessing the top of this remote mountain involves a 14.8-mile out-and-back journey and 3,200 feet of vertical gain. Despite its demanding nature, the route attracts tens of thousands every year. Expect an early start and a late return.
Travel to Nebraska’s southwest corner and you’ll find Panorama Point. Nestled near the Colorado and Wyoming borders, the Cornhusker State’s highest point hits an elevation of 5,429 feet and serves up expansive views of the Great Plains.
Not the most traditional high-point hike on this list, the nature of the terrain means that working out where the summit is would be difficult were it not for a marker. Visits here are less about conquering a climb and more about the stark beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Mount Rogers is the highest eastern state high point without any roads leading to its summit, making it a proper hiking destination. The jewel in the crown of the Mount Rogers National Recreational Area, part of the Jefferson National Forest, its summit awaits intrepid souls at 5,729 feet above sea level.
The route to the top involves tackling an 8.6-mile out-and-back trail and overcoming a vertical gain of 1,500 feet. Keep an eye out for wild ponies and rare high-altitude Southern Appalachian Fraser fir trees.
Lovingly known as "the rock pile," Mount Washington is a magnet for hikers, backcountry skiers, alpine climbers, and ice climbers. Famous for having "the worst weather in the world," visitors should dress appropriately. The peak holds the record for highest wind speed ever recorded by a staffed weather station (231 miles per hour in April 1934).
A prominent feature in the Presidential Range, where New England’s five highest peaks are situated, Mount Washington reaches up to 6,288 feet. Prefer not to walk? The mountain has a cog railway and a road leading to an observatory, museum, and snack shop at the summit.
Up at 6,643 feet above sea level, Kuwohi’s summit is the highest point in Tennessee and in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, its fusion of accessibility and stunning scenery make it a must-visit for casual hikers and dedicated highpointers.
Once known as Clingman’s Dome, Kuwohi is a name with deep significance to the Cherokee people. Its uppermost echelon is home to a "flying saucer" observation tower constructed in 1959, where you can take in epic views like the one pictured here.
Roughly 30 miles northeast of Asheville in North Carolina’s Black Mountains, Mount Mitchell is the highest American peak east of the Mississippi. Towering 6,684 feet above sea level, it forms part of the Black Mountain Crest, which features six other peaks above 6,300 feet.
Lying in Mount Mitchell State Park, a hike to the summit can make for an adventurous day out. In summer, hikers on routes like the Mount Mitchell Trail can enjoy a host of blooming wildflowers. Alternatively, take a shortcut by driving to the car park about 100 feet below the summit.
Located within Black Hills National Forest, Black Elk Peak (formerly called Harney Peak) stands 7,242 feet above sea level. The mountain blends jaw-dropping views and a rich sense of history, with the famous fire lookout tower on its summit (pictured) now something of an icon. The peak is named after a revered Oglala Sioux medicine man who had a vision on its upper reaches.
The "Top of Texas" is a place called Guadalupe Peak. The challenging hike to its summit, 8,749 feet above sea level, rewards those who make the effort with stunning views of the Chihuahuan Desert and beyond.
Owing to its connection to the fossilized Capitan Reef, an ancient reef formed between 250 and 300 million years ago, Guadalupe Peak is a dream come true for geologists. On your way to the summit’s stainless-steel pyramid, installed by American Airlines in 1958, be sure to watch out for well-preserved marine fossils.
Found about 50 miles east of Portland, Mount Hood is a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1907. With a summit 11,239 feet above sea level and a challenging climb involving 5,308 feet of vertical gain, it’s far from the most accessible high point on this list, but that doesn’t stop dedicated outdoorsy types flocking here in droves.
As well as being a revered site for Indigenous tribes, the presence of Timberline Lodge has also made the mountain a major location in the history of cinema. The lodge was used for the exterior hotel shots in Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1980 film The Shining.
In Coconino National Forest, you’ll come across the neck-craning magnificence of Humphreys Peak. With a summit up at 12,633 feet, which rises more than 6,000 feet above the surrounding terrain, there really is no missing it.
Part of the San Francisco Peaks, and lying within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area, sights from the top include the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, the White Mountains, and the desert mountains near Phoenix. The peak is named after General AA Humphreys, and flies in the face of the misconception that Arizona is a flat, treeless desert.
Borah Peak, known locally as Mount Borah, towers 12,662 feet into the sky. The highest mountain in the Gem State and the most significant natural landmark in the Lost River Range, its almost 6,000 feet of prominence means it sticks out of the horizon like the sorest of sore thumbs.
A climb to the top is not for the faint-hearted, with the standard route featuring a semi-exposed scramble and knife-edge ridge walk. In October 1983, a huge earthquake caused the summit to rise seven feet.
With an elevation of 12,799 feet, Granite Peak is a major mountaineering destination in the US. Part of the excellently named Beartooth Range, within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, the highest point in Montana serves up a challenging and exhilarating climb for experienced hikers and mountaineers.
Known for rugged terrain, technical routes, and eye-popping alpine scenery, Granite Peak is a coveted prize. The first successful ascent of this intimidating rock was made in August 1923, making it one of the last state high points to be climbed.
At the northern end of the White Mountains, Boundary Peak (13,147 feet) is the Silver State’s highest point. Part of a twin summit with Montgomery Peak in California, which stands almost 300 feet taller, the area feels like it's been designed for high-altitude thrills by some adventure-loving higher power.
The summits are split by a rugged ridge that stretches for about two-thirds of a mile. There have even been legal wranglings in the mountain’s past, with a controversial 1873 survey inaccurately placing the peak in California.
Stretching 250 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Salida, Colorado, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are truly spectacular. And Wheeler Peak, with its summit a whopping 13,161 feet above sea level in the New Mexico section of the range, is no exception.
Majestic in every sense, the peak offers hikers a challenging adventure where wildlife roams free in front of gorgeous mountain backdrops. The most popular route to the top is via the Williams Lake Trail, a roughly eight-mile round trip with just under 3,000 feet of vertical gain.
Claiming the crown of Utah’s highest point, with an elevation of 13,528 feet, is Kings Peak. Forming part of the Uinta Mountains, a unique range that – unlike most ranges in the Rockies – runs east to west, the peak and its surrounding region is of great significance to Native Americans. Tribes including the Ute and Shoshone initially inhabited the land here, using it for hunting and gathering.
As rugged as it is remote, Kings Peak is a proper mountaineering challenge. The most popular route to its summit involves a 27.8-mile out-and-back trail, 5,160 feet of vertical gain, and two to three days in the wilderness.
Head to the Big Island of Hawaii and you can’t miss Mauna Kea towering over the horizon. Not only is this 13,796-foot-high volcanic monster the highest peak in Hawaii and the Pacific Rim, it can also sneakily lay claim to being the tallest mountain on Earth.
Confused? Mount Everest in the Himalayas has a higher elevation above sea level, with its summit at 29,029 feet, but Mauna Kea’s height from base to peak is actually greater at 33,500 feet (much of this bulk is submerged in the ocean). The Hawaiian giant is also a top destination for stargazing.
Grand Teton may be more famous, but it’s actually Gannett Peak that stands as Wyoming’s highest point, outstripping its rival by 34 feet. Gannett Peak’s summit sits at an elevation of 13,804 feet, roughly 70 miles southeast of Grand Teton, in the remote Wind River Range.
Named in 1906 in honor of Henry Gannett, one of the founders of the National Geographic Society, it represents a formidable mountaineering challenge. The cocktail of rugged terrain, high elevation, and technical requirements means getting to the summit is for skillful and well-prepared climbers only.
Rising to 14,410 feet, and clearly visible from Seattle, Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano, the tallest peak in the Cascade Range, and the most glaciated mountain in the contiguous US. Combining challenging ascents, stunning views, and routes suitable for climbers of varying skill, Rainier draws over 10,000 climbing enthusiasts annually.
In 1899, President William McKinley established Mount Rainier National Park, protecting over 230,000 acres and 25 significant glaciers in the process (including the vast Emmons Glacier). The volcano at the park’s heart has not erupted in 500 years, and remains a popular training ground for mountaineers building up to bigger challenges.
Mount Elbert is the highest mountain in Lake County, Colorado, and the Rockies, as well the second highest in the contiguous United States. Mention it in front of someone not from Colorado, however, and there’s a good chance they won’t have heard of it.
Taking its moniker from Samuel Elbert, a controversial territorial governor in the 19th century, you’ll find it in the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rockies, and its relatively moderate terrain means anyone with reasonable fitness can get up it. In the 1970s, fans of neighboring Mount Massive stacked rocks on that mountain’s summit in a doomed attempt to make it the state’s highest peak instead.
The California Sierra Nevada is where you’ll find the enormous Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States. The mountain's exact elevation has been assessed and reassessed over the years, but its official height is currently set at 14,505 feet.
Accessing the summit requires a long and challenging hike via the Mount Whitney Trail. The legendary Badwater Ultramarathon, which takes place annually, sees adventurers race from the depths of Death Valley – the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level – to Mount Whitney's trailhead. The Golden State’s terrain is all about extreme contrasts.
And so we arrive at the highest point in the United States – and in the whole of North America. Mount McKinley (formerly known as Denali) rises majestically to an elevation of 20,320 feet, with its extreme terrain and notorious weather making it the perfect training ground for those looking to tackle the world’s highest peaks.
The first recorded ascent took place in 1913, and the climb’s difficulty is increased by the mountain’s latitude, which results in a feeling of being even higher up than you actually are. Around 1,000 people attempt to summit Mount McKinley each year.