List of New York high points by county facts for kids
New York State is a big place with lots of different landscapes, from busy cities to quiet mountains. Did you know that every single county in New York has a special spot that's the highest point in that county? These spots are called "county high points," and they can be anything from tall mountains to gentle hills. Exploring these high points is a fun way to learn about the geography of New York!
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What is a County High Point?
A county high point is simply the highest natural elevation within a specific county. It's like the very top of a county! People who enjoy hiking and exploring often try to visit these high points. This hobby is sometimes called "highpointing." It's a great way to see different parts of the state and enjoy nature.
Why are High Points Important?
These high points are important for a few reasons. They help us understand the land and how it was formed. They also offer amazing views and are often home to unique plants and animals. For adventurers, reaching a county high point can be a rewarding challenge.
New York's Tallest County High Points
New York has 62 counties, and each one has its own highest spot. The tallest of these high points are usually found in the Adirondack Mountains and the Catskill Mountains. These areas are known for their rugged beauty and impressive peaks.
Mount Marcy: New York's Highest Peak
The very highest point in all of New York State is Mount Marcy, located in Essex County. It stands at an amazing 5,344 feet (about 1,629 meters) tall! Mount Marcy is a popular destination for hikers, offering incredible views from its summit. It's part of the Adirondack High Peaks, a group of mountains over 4,000 feet tall.
Other Notable High Points
While Mount Marcy is the tallest, many other county high points are also very impressive. For example, Slide Mountain in Ulster County is the highest peak in the Catskill Mountains, reaching about 4,180 feet (1,274 meters). Hunter Mountain in Greene County is another Catskill giant, standing at 4,040 feet (1,231 meters). These mountains offer challenging hikes and beautiful scenery.
The List of New York County High Points
Here is a list of the highest points in each of New York's 62 counties, ordered from the tallest to the shortest. This table shows you the county, the elevation of its highest point, and the name of that point.
| Rank | County | Elevation | Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essex | 5,344 feet (1,629 m) | Mount Marcy | Keene, New York |
| 2 | Franklin | 4,347 feet (1,325 m) | Seward Mountain | |
| 3 | Ulster | c. 4,180 feet (1,270 m) | Slide Mountain | Shandaken, New York |
| 4 | Greene | 4,040 feet (1,230 m) | Hunter Mountain | Hunter, New York |
| 5 | Hamilton | 3,899 feet (1,188 m) | Snowy Mountain | |
| 6 | Clinton | 3,820 feet (1,160 m) | Lyon Mountain | |
| 7 | Warren | 3,563 feet (1,086 m) | Gore Mountain | |
| 8 | Delaware | 3,520 feet (1,070 m) | Bearpen Mountain | |
| 9 | Schoharie | 3,422 feet (1,043 m) | Huntersfield Mountain | |
| 10 | Sullivan | 3,117 feet (950 m) | Beech Mountain | |
| 11 | Rensselaer | 2,818 feet (859 m) | Berlin Mountain | |
| 12 | Fulton | Pigeon Mountain | ||
| 13 | Saratoga | 2,756 feet (840 m) | Tenant Mountain | |
| 14 | Herkimer | 2,697 feet (822 m) | Herkimer County High Point | |
| 15 | Saint Lawrence | 2,688 feet (819 m) | Mount Matumbla | |
| 16 | Washington | 2,640 feet (800 m) | Black Mountain | |
| 17 | Allegany | 2,548 feet (777 m) | Alma Hill | |
| 18 | Cattaraugus | 2,430 feet (740 m) | Clare Benchmark | |
| 19 | Otsego | 2,421 feet (738 m) | Otsego County High Point | |
| 20 | Steuben | 2,400 feet (730 m) | Call Hill | |
| 20 | Steuben | 2,400 feet (730 m) | Jackson Hill | |
| 21 | Dutchess | 2,323 feet (708 m) | Brace Mountain | North East, New York |
| 22 | Ontario | 2,280 feet (690 m) | Frost Hill | |
| 23 | Livingston | 2,244 feet (684 m) | Tabor Benchmark | |
| 24 | Chautauqua | 2,180 feet (660 m) | Gurnsey Benchmark | |
| 25 | Albany | 2,162 feet (659 m) | Henry Hill | |
| 26/27 | Madison | 2,140 feet (650 m) | Morrow Mountain | |
| 26/27 | Yates | 2,140 feet (650 m) | Yates County High Point | |
| 28 | Cortland | 2,132 feet (650 m) | Virgil Mountain | |
| 29 | Wyoming | 2,116 feet (645 m) | Wyoming County High Point | |
| 30 | Columbia | 2,115 feet (645 m) | Alander Mountain | |
| 31 | Lewis | 2,110 feet (640 m) | Gomer Hill | |
| 32 | Tompkins | 2,099 feet (640 m) | Connecticut Hill | |
| 33 | Schuyler | 2,093 feet (638 m) | Sproul Hill | |
| 34 | Broome | 2,080 feet (630 m) | Slawson Benchmark | |
| 35 | Onondaga | 2,060 feet (630 m) | Morgan Hill | |
| 36 | Chenango | 2,040 feet (620 m) | Chenango County High Point | |
| 37 | Tioga | 1,994 feet (608 m) | Tioga County High Point | |
| 38 | Oneida | 1,942 feet (592 m) | Tassel Hill | |
| 39 | Erie | 1,940 feet (590 m) | Sardinia Benchmark | Niagara Escarpment |
| 40 | Chemung | 1,914 feet (583 m) | Martin Hill | |
| 41 | Cayuga | 1,860 feet (570 m) | Cayuga County High Point | |
| 42 | Jefferson | 1,740 feet (530 m) | Jefferson County High Point | |
| 43 | Oswego | 1,730 feet (530 m) | Oswego County High Point | |
| 44 | Orange | 1,664 feet (507 m) | Schunnemunk Mountain | |
| 45 | Seneca | 1,640 feet (500 m) | Hector Backbone | |
| 46 | Montgomery | 1,663 feet (507 m) | Willse Hill | |
| 47 | Putnam | 1,540 feet (470 m) | Scofield Ridge | |
| 48 | Genesee | 1,470 feet (450 m) | Genesee County High Point | |
| 49 | Schenectady | 1,456 feet (444 m) | Schenectady County High Point | |
| 50 | Rockland | 1,278 feet (390 m) | Jackie Jones Mountain | |
| 51 | Monroe | 1,040 feet (320 m) | Hopper Hills | |
| 52 | Westchester | 980 feet (300 m) | Bailey Benchmark | |
| 53 | Orleans | 740 feet (230 m) | Pine Hill | |
| 54 | Wayne | 701 feet (214 m) | East Johnson Hill | |
| 55 | Niagara | 675 feet (206 m) | Bunker Hill | |
| 56 | Richmond | 401 feet (122 m) | Todt Hill | Staten Island |
| 57 | Suffolk | 400.9 feet (122.2 m) | Jayne's Hill | West Hills, New York |
| 58 | Nassau | 348 feet (106 m) | Harbor Hill | Roslyn, New York |
| 59 | Bronx | 280 feet (85 m) | Bronx High Point | Villanova Heights, Fieldston |
| 60 | New York | 265 feet (81 m) | Bennett Park | Hudson Heights, Manhattan |
| 61 | Queens | 260 feet (79 m) | North Shore Towers | Glen Oaks, Queens |
| 62 | Kings | 220 feet (67 m) | Battle Hill | Green-Wood Cemetery |
