Travel adventures make for great stories to tell down the road, so why not add a dash of bragging rights by visiting some of the U.S. mainland’s most extreme spots? From the tallest point in the lower 48 to the country’s geological center, these seven brag-worthy spots are worth a trip.
Tallest point
Standing at an impressive 14,495 feet, California’s Mt. Whitney is the tallest point of the contiguous United States. Pack your hiking gear and take a trip through Mt. Whitney’s wilderness for the ultimate bragging rights when it comes to hiking conquests.
Lowest point
Less than 100 miles from the highest point of the contiguous U.S., you’ll find the country’s lowest point: Death Valley, Calif. Standing at 282 feet below sea level at its lowest point, this desert expanse often sees triple-digit temperatures and receives less than two inches of rain per year.
Northernmost
The mainland’s northernmost point can be found at the aptly named town of Northwest Angle in Wisconsin. To reach it, you’ll actually have to drive into Canada and back down into Northwest Angle.
Southernmost
The southernmost point of the lower 48 is marked with a concrete buoy in Key West, Fla. If you can plan your visit for the early morning hours, you’ll have a stunning sunrise as the backdrop for your photos.
Westernmost
Washington state’s Cape Alava holds the title as the westernmost point of the contiguous U.S. You can reach Cape Alava with a 3-mile hike through Olympic National Park.
Easternmost
Best known for its iconic red lighthouse, West Quoddy Head, Maine also holds the title of being the easternmost point in the U.S.
Center of the lower 48
The geographical center of the lower 48 states can be found in the small town of Lebanon, Kan. At the center of the country, you’ll find a stone monument, flagpole and chapel.
Have you visited any of these brag-worthy geological spots?
(Main image: Eric Fischer)
