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Highest Peaks in the US
Highest Mountain in each of the US States
Profiles the highest mountain in each of the 50 US states with a
brief description, elevation, and ranking. Links to an interactive topo
map of each high point.
WARNING: Wilderness conditions can change suddenly. All hikers
should plan accordingly, including bringing flashlight, first aid equipment,
extra food and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you
should always be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before
entering the back country. Back country hiking trails can be rugged
and rough - they are not maintained as park walkways - wear proper footwear!
US Almanac Online: Highest Peaks (Mountains)
|
| State |
Peak
(Maps at Topozone) |
Elev
(Feet) |
Elev
(Meters) |
Rank |
| Alabama |
Cheaha Mountain |
2,405 |
734 |
35 |
| The Creek Indians named it Cheaha meaning "high
place" -- an appropriate name, as Cheaha Mountain in Lineville,
Alabama is the highest point in Alabama, at 2,407 feet above
sea level. Visitors can overlook the vally from the park's restaurant. |
| Alaska |
Mount McKinley |
20,320 |
6194 |
01 |
| Mount McKinley is the highest peak in North
America. It is a huge snowy mass, flanked by five giant glaciers
and countless icefalls. It dominates the horizon from as far
south as Cook Inlet, 200 miles away, and as far north as Fairbanks,
150 miles away. Its steep unbroken south slope rises 17,000
feet in twelve miles. Five major ridges extend from the summit,
and many spurs and buttresses extend from these. |
| Arizona |
Humphreys Peak |
12,633 |
3851 |
12 |
| Humphreys Peak is the highest peak in Arizona.
It rises in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area, immediately north
of Flagstaff. The area is volcanic in origin, as is apparent
by the conal shapes of some of the neighboring peaks, but Humphreys
is now heavily eroded, and has lost its symmetry. On a clear
day on the summit, the view to the northwest includes the rim
of the Grand Canyon. Usual access to Humphreys is via the Arizona
Snow Bowl, a popular ski lodge located just south of the mountain.
It is sacred to several Native American tribes. |
| Arkansas |
Mount Magazine (Signal Hill) |
2,753 |
839 |
34 |
| At 2,753 feet, Mount Magazine is Arkansas's
highest mountain. Signal Hill and the Greenfield and East End
picnic areas are near the summit of this plateau-like mountain.
From Cameron Bluff, the trail winds down the mountain to a broad
bench where virgin oak, gum and ash are found. This trail is
listed in both the day and overnight hiking sections due to
the versatility offered by the variety of access points, distances,
and terrain. This is truly a unique mountain setting, offering
some of the most expansive views in Arkansas. |
| California |
Mount Whitney |
14,494 |
4418 |
02 |
| Mount Whitney, is in the Sierra Nevada range
of mountains, and is in California, it reaches a height of 4417m
(14,494 ft). It is the highest summit in the 48 American joined
states.The peak is reachable via an 11-mile hiking trail. Wilderness
permits are required year-round and overnight camping is subject
to a quota between late May and mid-October. (It is the 17th
highest in America, the other 16 all being in Alaska) |
| Colorado |
Mount Elbert |
14,433 |
4399 |
03 |
| Mt. Elbert at 14,433 ft elevation is the highest
point in Colorado. It is the second highest mountain in the
adjacent 48 states. (Mount Whitney, 14,494 ft., is highest).
Elbert is a massive mountain, easily ascended by its long, smooth
ridges. Samuel H. Elbert (1833-1899) was an outstanding and
widely known civic leader in the Territory and State of Colorado.
Mt. Elbert, Elbert County, and the town of Elbert, Colorado
were all named in his honor. |
| Connecticut |
Frissell-S. Slope |
2380 |
725 |
36 |
| While Bear Mountain is the highest summit
in Connecticut, the highest point in that state is on
the south slope of Mount Frissell, along the Mount Frissell
trail, a little to the west of the summit. |
| Delaware |
Ebright Azimuth |
442 |
135 |
49 |
| The highest benchmark monument in Delaware is
located on Ebright Road. This horizontal control mark denotes
an elevation of 447.85 feet above sea level. The Delaware Geological
Survey through its relationship with the National Geodetic Survey
has determined that this benchmark monument is in the vicinity
of the highest natural elevation in the state. |
| Florida |
Lakewood (Britton Hill) |
345 |
105 |
50 |
| The highest point in the state is Britton Hill
in Lakewood Park near the Alabama border. Soaring to 345 feet
above sea level, this high point is the lowest of the 50 states.
Only rarely is it snow-capped. It is the only state highest
point comprised of sand. |
| Georgia |
Brasstown Bald |
4784 |
1458 |
25 |
| The highest point in the state of Georgia is
Brasstown Bald, located about 45 minutes from the town of Helen.
Brasstown Bald rises beautifully 4,784 feet above sea level.
On clear days, four states can be seen from the summit of the
Bald. |
| Hawaii |
Mauna Kea |
13796 |
4205 |
06 |
| Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the Hawaiian
Chain. Its summit rises to an elevation of 4205m above sea level
and it is located on the island of Hawaii. It is the second
largest in subaerial surface area of the five shield volcanoes
that comprise the island of Hawaii. |
| Idaho |
Borah Peak |
12662 |
3859 |
11 |
| At an elevation of 12,662 feet Borah Peak is
the highest peak in Idaho. Borah Peak lies in the Lost River
Range of the Challis National Forest in East-Central Idaho,
rising above a fairly arid region. |
| Illinois |
Charles Mound |
1235 |
376 |
45 |
| Charles Mound, hill, an ancient burial mound
1,241 ft (378 m) high, NW Illinois, near the Wisconsin line.
In a land of plains, Charles Mound stands as the tallest natural
feature in Illinois at 1,235 feet above sea level. |
| Indiana |
Hoosier Hill |
1257 |
383 |
44 |
| The highest point in Indiana is Hoosier Hill
in Franklin Township at 1,257 feet above sea level. The highpoint
is in Wayne County -- about 10 miles north of I-70. |
| Iowa |
Hawkeye Point |
1670 |
509 |
42 |
| Just southeast of the town of Ocheyedan, the
Mound rises an impressive 170 feet above the surrounding flood
plain. It is one of the highest points in Iowa--1670 feet above
sea level. The material making up the Mound is chiefly sand
and gravel with small boulders of various types, including rocks
of many different kinds. There are granites, Sioux quartzite
and limestone. |
| Kansas |
Mount Sunflower |
4039 |
1231 |
28 |
| At 4,039 feet above sea level, Mount Sunflower
is the highest point in Kansas. Located in Wallace County, just
east of the Kansas/Colorado border, Mount Sunflower is more
than 3,300 feet above the state's topographic low point in Montgomery
County in southeastern Kansas. Much of Mount Sunflower's elevation
is due to the uplift of the Rocky Mountains to the west. |
| Kentucky |
Black Mountain |
4145 |
1263 |
27 |
| Black Mountain runs along the Kentucky-Virginia
border through Harlan and Bell counties. The highest point in
Kentucky, 4,145 feet above sea level, is on Black Mountain near
Lynch in Harlan county |
| Louisiana |
Driskill Mountain |
535 |
163 |
48 |
| Driskill Mountain, located 7 miles southeast
of Arcadia, is the highest point in Louisiana at 535 feet above
sea level. |
| Maine |
Katahdin (Baxter Peak) |
5267 |
1606 |
22 |
| Katahdin is a huge mountain with several summits.
Baxter Peak, the 5,267 foot high point, is the northern terminus
of the Appalachian Trail. A narrow ridge called the Knife Edge
connects Baxter Peak to South Baxter Peak, Chimney Peak, and
Pamola Peak. |
| Maryland |
Backbone Mountain |
3360 |
1024 |
32 |
| The highest point in Maryland is Hoye-Crest
on Backbone Mountain at 3,360 feet above sea level about two
miles north of the mountain's highest point in West Virginia.
Backbone Mountain is a long ridge that runs diagonally southwest-to-northeast
in the extreme southwest corner of Maryland, extending into
West Virginia. The highest point on the mountain is actually
in West Virginia and is the Preston county (WV) highpoint. |
| Massachusetts |
Greylock |
3491 |
1064 |
31 |
| The 3,491-foot peak, accessible by car, is the
highest peak in Massachusetts, and offers visitors views of
up to 100 miles. The 92-foot high War Veteran's Memorial Tower,
built in 1932 and restored in 1975, is open daily during the
summer and fall. |
| Michigan |
Mount Arvon |
1979 |
604 |
38 |
| Mount Curwood in Baraga County was recognized
as thehighest point in Michigan. In 1982, however, the US Department
of Interior's Geological Survey team gathered new measurements
and found Mount Curwood to be slightly lower in elevation than
nearby Mount Arvon. Mount Curwood measured 1,978.24 feet above
sea level and Mount Arvon registered at 1,979.238 feet above
sea level. |
| Minnesota |
Eagle Mountain |
2301 |
701 |
37 |
| Eagle Mountain is the tallest point in the state
of Minnesota. It rises over 300 feet above Brule Lake in the
BWCA. The US Geological Survey has installed a metal plaque
marking Minnesota's official highest point. At 2,301 feet above
sea level, the peak is lofty for a Midwestern summit, but small
by mountaineering standards. |
| Mississippi |
Woodall Mountain |
806 |
246 |
47 |
| Woodall Mountain, near Iuka, is the state's
highest point of elevation, and rests peacefully at the base
of the Appalachian Mountains. Pickwick Lake, grand and glistening,
and Tishomingo State Park, in all its green glory, are popular
stops. |
| Missouri |
Taum Sauk |
1772 |
540 |
41 |
| Almost 1.5 billion years ago, volcanic eruptions
of hot ash settled and cooled to form rhyolite. Erosion has
left only the roots of these mountains behind, now dotted by
oak-hickory forest and rocky glades. Taum Sauk Mountain literally
stands above others as the highest point in Missouri, rising
to 1,772 feet located in the St. Francois Mountains. |
| Montana |
Granite Peak |
12799 |
3901 |
10 |
| The Custer National Forest is home to 12,799
ft. Granite Peak, the tallest mountain in Montana. Granite Peak
is located in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, an arduous
21 to 25 mile trek (round trip) from either of three approaches. |
| Nebraska |
Panorama Point |
5424 |
1654 |
20 |
| In the extreme southwest corner of the Banner
County, thirty three miles from Kimball, rises the highest point
in Nebraska overlooking three states, Nebraska, Colorado and
Wyoming. This site, 5,424 feet above sea level, looks more like
a rise in a pasture than the highest point in the state. |
| Nevada |
Boundary Peak |
13143 |
4006 |
09 |
| Of the 11.86 million acres of the heavily visited
Inyo National Forest split between Nevada and California, only
60,654 lie in Nevada. In that portion, you will find this one
lonely Wilderness, the state's smallest. But this Wilderness
makes up in height what it lacks in size, with Boundary Peak,
at 13,140 feet, rating as the highest point in Nevada. The peak
overlooks, as might be expected, the California border, and
rises above the White Mountains, a high and dry range from which
colorful canyons descend eastward into desertland. |
| New Hampshire |
Mount Washington |
6288 |
1917 |
18 |
| The highest mountain in the northeast, Mount
Washington. There is Cog Railroad running to the summit from
the west and an auto road from the east. South of the peak is
the AMC's Lakes of the Clouds hut. At the base of the east side
is the AMC's Pinkham Notch Visitors Center. The highest surface
wind ever recorded on earth was on the summit of Mt Washington,
231 MPH on April 12, 1934 |
| New Jersey |
High Point |
1803 |
550 |
40 |
| The High Point monument is located in Montague
Township at the highest point in the state of New Jersey. From
the parking lot, 1,803 feet above sea level, or the observation
deck 220 feet up you can see for miles around. On a clear day
you can see New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. |
| New Mexico |
Wheeler Peak |
13161 |
4011 |
08 |
| The Wheeler Peak Wilderness includes almost
20,000 acres. Lying along the top of the Sangre De Cristo mountain
range Wheeler Peak Wilderness is characterized by high rugged
terrain. Elevations range from a low of 7,650 feet to a high
of 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the State
of New Mexico. |
| New York |
Mount Marcy |
5344 |
1629 |
21 |
| The highest point in New York, situated in New
York's Adirondack Park, a rugged 335,000-acre High Peaks Wilderness,
the largest wild area in the East. |
| North Carolina |
Mount Mitchell |
6684 |
2037 |
16 |
| In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains
lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of
the Mississippi. For those who ascend this peak, will find breathtaking
views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling ridges and fertile
valleys. The mountain was named for Dr. Elisha Mitchell, professor
at the University of North Carolina, who first measured its
height in 1835. In 1857, Dr. Mitchell set out to verify his
measurement of the peak and perished at the foot of a waterfall
on the mountain slope. On the summit is Mount Mitchell State
Park, comprised of 1,224 acres. |
| North Dakota |
White Butte |
3506 |
1069 |
30 |
| White Butte near Amidon is North Dakota's highest
point at 3,506 feet. Pure white sandstone dominates the landscape
near South Heart in southwestern North Dakota. |
| Ohio |
Campbell Hill |
1550 |
472 |
43 |
| Also known as Mount Campbell, Campbell Hill
is the highest point in Ohio at 1549 feet above sea level. It
is located two miles east of Bellefountaine on Rt. 540. During
the 1950s, the 664th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was
stationed on Mount Campbell. Today the Ohio Hi-Point Career
Center, a joint-vocational school, is located on the site. |
| Oklahoma |
Black Mesa |
4973 |
1516 |
23 |
| Located in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, Black
Mesa Nature Preserve consists of approximately 1,600 acres which
the Conservancy has conveyed to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation
Department with a management agreement. The preserve protects
about 60% of the mesa top in Oklahoma in addition to talus slopes
and plains habitat. A native granite monument marks the highest
point in Oklahoma - 4,973 feet above sea level. |
| Oregon |
Mount Hood |
11239 |
3426 |
13 |
| Mount Hood (45.4N, 121.7W) is the tallest mountain
in Oregon. It is 45 miles (75 km) east-southeast of Portland,
Oregon. Mount Hood is a stratovolcano made of lava flows, domes,
and volcaniclastic deposits. Most of the volcano is andesite
composition. The main cone of Mount Hood formed about 500,000
years ago. In the last 15,000 years the volcano has had four
eruptive periods. During the most recent eruptive period, 250-180
years ago, lava domes collapsed and produced numerous pyroclastic
flows and lahars which buried the southwest flank of the mountain. |
| Pennsylvania |
Mount Davis |
3213 |
979 |
33 |
| The highest point in Pennsylvania is Mount Davis
at 3,213 feet. Mount Davis is located on the next ridge west
of the Allegheny Front, in southern Somerset County, which is
in the 12th District. This ridge comes into Pennsylvania from
West Virginia and stops just north of Mount Davis, while the
other ridges in the area run much farther to the north, especially
Allegheny Ridge. Mount Davis has an ovservation tower and trails,
and is part of Forbes State Forest. |
| Rhode Island |
Jerimoth Hill |
812 |
247 |
46 |
| Rhode Island has two distinct regions: the lowlands
of the Narragansett Basin and southern coast and the upland's
rolling hills of the north and west. Rhode Island's highest
point is only 812 ft, Jerimoth Hill, in Foster. |
| South Carolina |
Sassafras Mountain |
3560 |
1085 |
29 |
| Pickens County, northwest South Carolina on
North Carolina border 30 miles northwest of Greenville. The
summit, owned by the Duke Energy Company, is open to the public
without restriction (other than you have to walk 100 yards up
a paved trail). It straddles the North Carolina border. |
| South Dakota |
Harney Peak |
7242 |
2207 |
15 |
| As well as being the South Dakota high point,
Harney Peak is the tallest peak in North America east of the
Rocky Mountains. It lies in the beautiful Black Hills, a region
with a unique natural history. The range exists like an island
in the surrounding prairie grassland. |
| Tennessee |
Clingmans Dome |
6643 |
2025 |
17 |
| Rising 6,643 feet above the Great Smoky Mountains,
Clingman's Dome is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail
and provides a 360º view of the surrounding mountains. From
it's 54 foot observation tower the average viewing distance
is about 22 miles, but on a clear pollution free day, views
can amplify as far as 100 miles into 7 states. |
| Texas |
Guadalupe Peak |
8749 |
2667 |
14 |
| The highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet. This
is part of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which is located
near the Texas / New Mexico border at the far western edge of
our forecast area. |
| Utah |
Kings Peak |
13528 |
4123 |
07 |
| Kings Peak is the highest peak in Utah. It is
located in the High Uintas Wilderness Area, roughly two hours
east of Salt Lake City. The Uintas are the only major mountain
range in the United States that run in an east - west direction.
They feature several peaks over 4,000 meters. Kings Peak rises
just south of the main Uintas crest. |
| Vermont |
Mount Mansfield |
4393 |
1339 |
26 |
| Mount Mansfield is the highest of Vermont's
peaks at an elevation of 4,393 feet. When viewed from the east,
the mountain has a profile of a human face with a forehead,
nose, lips, chin and Adam's apple. Mansfield summit (the chin
is the highest point) offers views of the Green Mountain range,
east to New Hampshire's White Mountains and west across Lake
Champlain to New York's Adirondacks. |
| Virginia |
Mount Rogers |
5729 |
1746 |
19 |
| The Mount Rogers area contains some of the most
rugged terrain and spectacular scenery in Virginia. Mount Rogers,
because of its hard, resistant rhyolite bedrock, is the highest
point of elevation in the state - 5729 feet above sea level.
The region differs climatically from the surrounding area. |
| Washington |
Mount Rainier |
14410 |
4392 |
04 |
| Mount Rainier is the highest and third most
voluminous volcano of the Cascade Range. The main cone of this
stratovolcano has formed since 730,000 years ago. Mount Rainier
is potentially the most dangerous volcano in the Cascades because
it is very steep, covered in large amounts of ice and snow,
and near a large population that lives in lowland drainages.
Numerous debris avalanches start on the volcano. The largest
debris avalanche traveled more than 60 miles (100 km) to Puget
Sound. The most recent eruption was about 2,200 years ago and
covered the eastern half of the park with up to one foot (30
cm) of lapilli, blocks, and bombs |
| West Virginia |
Spruce Knob |
4863 |
1482 |
24 |
| At 4,861 feet above sea level, Spruce Knob is
West Virginia's highest peak. From this rugged alpine peak,
you can view grassy openings and pastures or look down on forested
ridges as far as the eye can see. |
| Wisconsin |
Timms Hill |
1951 |
595 |
39 |
Timms hill, the highest point in Wisconsin from
across Timms Lake. The state's four highest recorded elevations
are Timms Hill, Pearson Hill, Sugarbush Hill, and Rib Mountain,
but none exceeds 2,000 feet in altitude. These sites are concentrated
in the north central portion of the state. |
| Wyoming |
Gannett Peak |
13804 |
4207 |
05 |
| Gannett Peak is the highest peak in the Wind
River Range, and the highest peak in Wyoming. It rises on the
Continental Divide, just southeast of Yellowstone National Park
and the Teton range. It is a snow peak in a range of rock peaks.
It is flanked by five glaciers and its summit is snow-capped. |
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Almanac Online
e-ReferencerDesk's Almanac for the 50 States is a fun and informative site
for students of all ages. The Almanac brings you information about the people and
places that make US a great place to live, visit, or study.
Almanac: Facts and Figures
The origin of the almanac can be traced back to ancient Babylonian astronomy, when tables of planetary periods were
produced in order to predict lunar and planetary phenomena.
Modern almanacs include a comprehensive presentation of statistical and descriptive data.
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