The United States is home to a vast and diverse collection of mountain ranges, containing some of the continent’s most impressive peaks. Determining the tallest of these mountains relies on measuring the elevation of the summit above mean sea level, the standard geological metric used to identify the highest points on Earth. US peaks range from the relatively modest summits of the Appalachians to the colossal, glaciated giants found in the far north.
Denali The Highest Point in North America
Denali, located in the Alaska Range, is the highest mountain in the United States and all of North America. This massive peak rises to an elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level, dominating the landscape of Denali National Park and Preserve. The mountain’s sheer vertical rise from its base is one of the largest in the world, making it a significant feature for mountaineers.
The name Denali is derived from the Koyukon Athabaskan language, meaning “the tall one” or “the great one.” For decades, the mountain was officially known as Mount McKinley, named after former US President William McKinley by a gold prospector in 1896. The US government officially restored the traditional Athabaskan name, Denali, in 2015, acknowledging its indigenous heritage.
The Definitive Top Ten Highest Peaks
The ten highest summits in the United States show a strong geographic concentration due to powerful geological forces. The entire top ten list is exclusively located within Alaska, primarily distributed across the Alaska Range and the Saint Elias Mountains. These giants formed where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate, creating immense uplift and extreme elevations.
After Denali, the next highest peak is Mount Saint Elias, which straddles the border with Canada and reaches 18,009 feet. Subsequent mountains, including Mount Foraker (17,400 feet) and Mount Bona (16,550 feet), further demonstrate Alaska’s dominance. These peaks are characterized by massive ice fields and severe arctic weather conditions. Only two of the top fifteen highest peaks in the country fall outside Alaska.
The Tallest Mountains in the Lower 48
The focus shifts to the contiguous United States, often called the Lower 48, when considering peaks outside of Alaska and Hawaii. The highest summit in this region is Mount Whitney, located in the Sierra Nevada range of California. Mount Whitney reaches an elevation of 14,505 feet and sits on the boundary of Sequoia National Park and the Inyo National Forest.
Mount Whitney’s elevation is notable because its summit is only 85 miles from the lowest point in North America, Death Valley’s Badwater Basin. Beyond California, Colorado contains the next highest concentration of tall peaks in the contiguous US. Colorado is home to more than 50 summits exceeding 14,000 feet, known locally as “Fourteeners.” This group includes Mount Elbert, the second-highest peak in the Lower 48, which rises to 14,440 feet.