The northwesternmost point of the United States is Cape Lisburne, a remote area on the coast of Alaska, about 200 miles north of Nome. I determined this point by using My Methodology. However, as I've stated in My Rules, for logistical reasons I'm visiting only the contiguous United States (i.e., the Lower 48) during my 2016 trip around America, so that's the focus of this website.
Above: Here's Cape Flattery, along with the north-northwesternmost and west-northwesternmost points on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. (0:43) |
The northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States is Cape Flattery on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington.
Summary:
- I visited Cape Flattery on May 1, 2016.
- To read my story and see my photos, click here.
- The coordinates are: 48° 23.155' N, 124° 43.604' W
- To see a Google Map of Cape Flattery, click here.
- To view the panorama photo I shot at Cape Flattery, click here.
How to Get There:
To reach Cape Flattery, take Highway 101 to Highway 112 and drive to Neah Bay, Washington. Be sure to buy a Recreation Pass for the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay. It costs $10 and is good for a year, and the proceeds are used to help maintain the recreational facilities on the Makah Reservation. You can buy the pass at several places in Neah Bay, including the marina and Washburn's General Store. You'll get a map with the pass, which you can use to find Cape Flattery.
The route to Cape Flattery is well-marked, so to get there, just follow the signs. The road is paved and in good condition all the way to the parking lot. From the parking lot, follow the trail about a mile downhill. Cape Flattery is located at the end of the trail and there's a wooden platform that accommodates about 20 people. As I noted in my story, it's one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the west coast.
Cape Flattery: The Northwesternmost Point
Above: Cape Flattery on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington is the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States. I created the blue line, with a bearing of 45.0 degrees, to help me determine the northwesternmost point. |