Most travelers consider mountain peaks and other high points in America as ideal traveling destinations since it is no secret that tourists love the view of beautiful mountain ranges. However, the lower points of the U.S. should not be overlooked, as they provide equally fantastic views of some of the finest lakes in the country. Points such as the Delaware River, Potomac River, and other ocean coastlines are usually the lower regions in each state but also offer some of the loveliest scenes. 

　　Some portions, such as Badwater Basin, are very low-lying regions, resting some 200 feet below sea level. These regions were once massive lakes, similar to how modern lakes are the lower sections of most areas of America. With 22 states sitting at sea level, there is plenty to see regardless of which state travelers choose to explore!

　　

Badwater Basin, California 

Badwater Basin at sunset.  Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, California, is the lowest point in the United States. This ancient lake, known as inland Lake Manly, evaporated tens of thousands of years ago. The evaporation left behind high amounts of sodium chloride, making this region remarkably devoid of life, with white salt coating the ground. 

　　The ancient water basin rests 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level and covers approximately 200 square miles (518 square kilometers). Aside from sodium chloride, the region also contains heavy amounts of gypsum, calcite, and borax.

　　

Potomac River, District of Columbia (D.C.)

View west up the Potomac River from Maryland Heights. The Potomac River is also known as the “Nation’s River,” thanks primarily to Washington’s affinity for the location. Although this river crosses several states, including Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the portion in Washington, D.C., is among the lowest. The portion of the river flowing near the eastern border of Maryland is the lowest section, reaching merely approximately one foot above sea level (less than one meter). 

　　

New Orleans, Louisiana 

Bourbon St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA cityscape of bars and restaurants at twilight. New Orleans is another portion of the United States below sea level. While many states are at or just above sea level, only a few points across the United States sit below sea level. The city of New Orleans is one of the areas sitting below sea level, with the lowest point reaching 8 feet below sea level (approximately 2 meters). 

　　Much of the region experienced subsidence in the past or the gradual depletion of land. Subsidence occurs when the earth’s surface gets pulled away by water erosion. Ocean erosion is widespread in Louisiana, with Hurricane Katrina causing considerable damage to the shore and coastal communities.

　　

Lowest High Points of America 

Among the more mountainous regions of the U.S. are different areas of low-lying lands. These usually occur near water basins or the mouths of rivers and lakes. Coastal sites along the ocean are also lower than surrounding areas, with some of the lowest points situated along portions of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

　　

Delaware River, PA 

The Northampton Street Bridge over the Delaware River in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Delaware River passes through five U.S. States, including Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania. It serves as a partial natural boundary between Pennsylvania and New York and New Jersey. The mean elevation of Pennsylvania is 1,100 feet (335 meters), but the portions of the state with the Delaware River sit around sea level. 

　　

Harpers Ferry, Potomac River, WV 

Tourists at Harper's Ferry, WV. Image credit Andriy Blokhin via Shutterstock. Most of West Virginia sits well above sea level, with most of the state situated within the Appalachian Mountains. The region by Harpers Ferry, situated near the borders of Maryland and Virginia on West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, is the lowest part of this mountainous state. The Potomac River is a natural boundary between the three states and is also the lowest portion of this region, sitting at an elevation of 240 feet above sea level (73 meters). 

　　

Ouachita River, Ouachita Mountains, AK 

Beautiful Ouachita River below Blakely Dam from Lake Ouachita into Lake Hamilton. The Ouachita River flows in the southern parts of Arkansas. The portion of the river flowing between the borders of Arkansas and Louisiana is one of the lowest parts of the river. In contrast to Arkansas’s highest point, Signal Hill, which reaches 2,753 feet (839 meters), the Ouachita River sits 55 feet (17 meters) above sea level.  

　　

Kootenai Falls, Kootenai River, Montana 

The Kootenai River in the Kootenai National Forest near Libby, Montana. Kootenai Falls in southern Montana is the lowest portion of this state. Most of the state reaches high elevations thanks to the many mountains cascading throughout its borders. However, the section near Idaho’s border is significantly lower due to the Kootenai River and Falls. Despite being Montana’s lowest point, it still sits at an impressive 1820 feet (555 meters) above sea level.

　　

Ranking of Each U.S. State 

Rank	Location	State	Elevation
1	Badwater Basin	California	-282 feet
2	New Orleans	Louisianna	-8
3	Gulf of Mexico	Alabama	Sea Level
4	Pacific Ocean	Alaska	Sea Level
5	Long Island Sound	Connecticut	Sea Level
6	Atlantic Ocean	Delaware	Sea Level
7	Atlantic Ocean	Florida	Sea Level
8	Atlantic Ocean	Georgia	Sea Level
9	Pacific Ocean	Hawaii	Sea Level
10	Atlantic Ocean	Maine	Sea Level
11	Atlantic Ocean	Massachusetts	Sea Level
12	Atlantic Ocean	Maryland	Sea Level
13	Gulf of Mexico	Mississippi	Sea Level
14	Atlantic Ocean	New Hampshire	Sea Level
15	Atlantic Ocean	New Jersey	Sea Level
16	Atlantic Ocean	New York	Sea Level
17	Atlantic Ocean	North Carolina	Sea Level
18	Pacific Ocean	Oregon	Sea Level
19	Delaware River	Pennsylvania	Sea Level
20	Atlantic Ocean	Rhode Island	Sea Level
21	Atlantic Ocean	South Carolina	Sea Level
22	Gulf of Mexico	Texas	Sea Level
23	Atlantic Ocean	Virginia	Sea Level
24	Pacific Ocean	Washington	Sea Level
25	Ouachita River	Arkansas	55 feet
26	Colorado River	Arizona	72 feet
27	Lake Champlain	Vermont	95 feet
28	Mississippi River	Tennesee	178 feet
29	Saint Francis River	Missouri	230 feet
30	Potomac River	West Virginia	240 feet
31	Mississippi River	Kentucky	257 feet
32	Confluence of Mississippi River and Ohio River	Illinois	280 feet
33	Little River	Oklahoma	289 feet
34	Confluence of Wabash River and Ohio River	Indiana	320 feet
35	Ohio River	Ohio	455 feet
36	Confluence of Mississippi River and Des Moines River	Iowa	480 feet
37	Colorado River	Nevada	481 feet
38	Lake Erie	Michigan	571 feet
39	Lake Michigan	Wisconsin	579 feet
40	Lake Superior	Minnesota	601 feet
41	Verdigris River	Kansas	679 feet
42	Confluence of Snake River and Clearwater River	Idaho	713 feet
43	Red River	North Dakota	751 feet
44	Missouri River	Nebraska	840 feet
45	Big Stone Lake	South Dakota	968 feet
46	Kootenai River	Montana	1820 feet
47	Beaver Dam Wash	Utah	2,180 feet
48	Red Bluff Reservoir	New Mexico	2,844 feet
49	Bella Fourche River	Wyoming	3,101 feet
50	Arikaree River	Colorado	3,317 feet

　　

Conclusion

The U.S. is a diverse nation with many geologic features, including mountain ranges, raging rivers, and many coastal communities. These factors together make for a unique experience, regardless of which state you're traveling through. While people often think of high regions, like mountain peaks, when planning a trip, low regions also offer special features like woodlands and ocean views. 

　　Rivers, coastlines, and lakes are typically the lowest portions of a U.S. State. For those who enjoy seeing the ocean or exploring a glacier lake, the low regions should definitely be on the list of places you ought to visit!