Westernmost U.S. State: Washington (Not California or Oregon)
Washington holds the westernmost point in the contiguous United States: Cape Alava (48.1697° N, 124.7306° W), on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Rankings
| Rank | State | Westernmost Point | Longitude |
|---|
| 1 | Washington | Cape Alava (Olympic NP) | 124.73° W |
| 2 | Oregon | Cape Blanco | 124.56° W |
| 3 | California | Cape Mendocino | 124.41° W |
Why the Confusion?
- California feels "more west" — it's longer, more iconic, further south
- Oregon's Cape Blanco is very close (0.17° difference = ~12 miles)
- Alaska (Attu Island, 172° E) is westernmost overall — but question specified contiguous
Visit Cape Alava
- Location: Olympic National Park, Ozette Loop trail (3.5 mi boardwalk + beach)
- Access: Hike from Ozette Ranger Station (Lake Ozette Rd, off Hwy 112)
- Features: Tide pools, sea stacks, petroglyphs (Ozette Village, 2,000+ yr), Makah culture
- Permit: Required for overnight (wilderness)
Stand at Cape Alava. You're as far west as the Lower 48 goes. Next stop: Japan.
Wanderlust World