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The Tallest Mountains in the United States: Peaks, Ranges, and Records

Explore America's grandest peaks, from Denali to the Rockies, and the diverse landscapes that dominate the U.S. skyline.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Explore America's grandest peaks, from Denali to the Rockies, and the diverse landscapes that dominate the U.S. skyline.

The United States is home to a remarkable array of mountain peaks, each with its own story, significance, and allure. From the icy summits of Alaska to the rugged crests of the Rockies and the majestic Sierra Nevada, the nation’s tallest mountains shape not only the physical landscape but also the spirit of adventure and exploration. This article explores the tallest peaks across the country, highlights the prominent mountain ranges, and delves into fascinating facts that define the grandeur of America’s summits.

Understanding the Highest Peaks in the U.S.

The American mountain landscape is defined by dramatic diversity. While Denali in Alaska stands as the country’s undisputed giant, the lower 48 states also feature iconic summits, especially in the Rockies and Sierra Nevada. It’s important to distinguish between the overall tallest peaks and those within the contiguous United States.

Denali (Alaska): At 20,310 feet (6,190 m), Denali is not only the tallest mountain in the United States, but also the highest in North America.
Mount Whitney (California): The tallest summit in the lower 48 states, at 14,505 feet (4,421 m).
Most Tallest Peaks: The majority of the highest U.S. summits are located in Alaska—13 of the top 15.

Table: The Ten Tallest Mountains in the United States

Rank	Mountain	State	Elevation (ft)	Mountain Range
1	Denali	Alaska	20,310	Alaska Range
2	Mount St. Elias	Alaska	18,008	Saint Elias Mountains
3	Mount Foraker	Alaska	17,400	Alaska Range
4	Mount Bona	Alaska	16,500	Saint Elias Mountains
5	Mount Blackburn	Alaska	16,390	Wrangell Mountains
6	Mount Sanford	Alaska	16,237	Wrangell Mountains
7	Mount Vancouver	Alaska	15,979	Saint Elias Mountains
8	South Buttress	Alaska	15,885	Alaska Range
9	Mount Churchill	Alaska	15,638	Saint Elias Mountains
10	Mount Fairweather	Alaska	15,300	Saint Elias Mountains

Denali: The Roof of North America

Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley, fully dominates the Alaskan landscape. Rising a staggering 20,310 feet, it not only claims the title of the highest point in the country but also showcases the most dramatic vertical relief—its base-to-summit rise is one of the largest of any mountain in the world.

Located within Denali National Park.
Challenging weather: Fierce winds and low temperatures.
Mountaineering mecca: Denali is a major objective for climbers worldwide.
Part of the Alaska Range, which contains many of the nation’s other highest peaks.

Mount St. Elias: Remote and Wild

Mount St. Elias is the second tallest mountain in the United States at 18,008 feet. It is located on the border of Alaska and the Yukon. Its dramatic rise from sea level and challenging glacial terrain make it one of North America’s most rugged and remote peaks.

Home to massive glaciers descending all the way to the coastline.
One of the few mountains in the world that rises directly from ocean to summit.
Challenging ascents due to harsh weather and technical terrain.

Other Giants of Alaska

While Denali and Mount St. Elias are the most famous, Alaska is home to an exceptional roster of high summits, including:

Mount Foraker (17,400 feet): Second only to Denali in the Alaska Range.
Mount Bona (16,500 feet): One of the highest volcanoes in the U.S.
Mount Blackburn (16,390 feet): The tallest in the Wrangell Mountains.
Mount Sanford (16,237 feet): Another high volcanic peak in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park.
Mount Vancouver (15,979 feet): Sits on the Canada-U.S. border.
Other notable high Alaskan peaks: Mount Churchill, Mount Fairweather, Mount Hubbard.

The Tallest Mountains in the Lower 48 States

Outside of Alaska, the Western United States claims the country’s highest summits. The so-called “Fourteeners”—peaks exceeding 14,000 feet—draw mountaineers from across the globe.

Mount Whitney (California): 14,505 feet. The highest, located in the Sierra Nevada; marks the summit of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Mount Elbert (Colorado): 14,440 feet. The highest in the Rockies and Colorado.
Mount Massive (Colorado): 14,428 feet. Very close in height to Elbert, also in the Rockies.
Mount Harvard (Colorado): 14,420 feet. Part of the Collegiate Peaks.
Mount Rainier (Washington): 14,411 feet. Highest in the Cascade Range and an active stratovolcano.

Table: Highest Peaks in the Lower 48 States

Rank	Peak	State	Elevation (ft)	Mountain Range
1	Mount Whitney	California	14,505	Sierra Nevada
2	Mount Elbert	Colorado	14,440	Rocky Mountains
3	Mount Massive	Colorado	14,428	Rocky Mountains
4	Mount Harvard	Colorado	14,420	Rocky Mountains
5	Mount Rainier	Washington	14,411	Cascade Range
6	Mount Williamson	California	14,379	Sierra Nevada
7	Blanca Peak	Colorado	14,351	Sangre de Cristo Range
8	La Plata Peak	Colorado	14,336	Rocky Mountains
9	Uncompahgre Peak	Colorado	14,321	San Juan Mountains
10	Crestone Peak	Colorado	14,300	Sangre de Cristo Range

Mount Whitney: The Highest in the Lower 48

Mount Whitney is a dramatic granite peak marking the high point of the Sierra Nevada and the Pacific Crest Trail. Its eastern face rises sharply above the Owens Valley, offering panoramic vistas across California. The hike to its summit is a coveted challenge for thousands of trekkers each year. Whitney’s summit stands less than 85 miles west of Badwater Basin in Death Valley, the lowest point in North America—one of the most extreme elevation contrasts in the world.

Founded on ancient granite known as the Sierra Nevada Batholith.
Site of the Smithsonian Shelter, once the highest astronomical observatory in the world.
Accessible via the famous Mount Whitney Trail (Permit required).

Fourteeners: Colorado’s Claim to Mountaineering Fame

Colorado boasts the most ‘Fourteeners’—mountains over 14,000 feet—in the lower 48 states, totaling 53 recognized peaks. These peaks—such as Mount Elbert, Mount Massive, Mount Harvard, and Longs Peak—draw hikers, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.

Colorado’s Fourteeners are concentrated in ranges like the Sawatch, San Juan, Mosquito, and the Sangre de Cristo.
Many of these summits are known for their accessibility compared to the technical challenges of Alaskan peaks.
The Collegiate Peaks, including Mount Harvard and Mount Yale, are named for prestigious Ivy League universities.

Sierra Nevada Peaks: Beyond Mount Whitney

California’s Sierra Nevada range contains several notable peaks over 14,000 feet besides Mount Whitney.

Mount Williamson: The second highest in California, at 14,379 feet.
White Mountain Peak: A unique, remote summit at 14,252 feet, home to a bristlecone pine forest.
Mount Shasta: An iconic, glaciated volcano standing 14,179 feet tall in Northern California.

Washington’s Alpine Giants: The Cascades

The Pacific Northwest’s highest peak is Mount Rainier (14,411 feet), a massive stratovolcano and one of the most glaciated mountains in the lower 48. Other tall peaks of the region include Mount Adams and Mount Baker, both dramatic volcanic summits overshadowed by Rainier’s dominant presence.

Mount Rainier is visible from much of western Washington on clear days.
The Cascades are renowned for their volcanic origins and dense forests.

Sangre de Cristo and San Juan: Colorado’s Southern Gems

Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo and San Juan ranges contain some of the state’s most dramatic peaks:

Blanca Peak: The highest in the Sangre de Cristo, noted for its scenic wilderness.
Uncompahgre Peak: The high point of the San Juan range, famous for its broad summit and vast views.

Major U.S. Mountain Ranges: The Peaks in Context

The tallest mountains in the United States are concentrated in several major ranges, each with distinct geology and ecological zones:

Alaska Range: Dominated by Denali and Foraker, home to towering peaks and icy landscapes.
Saint Elias Mountains: Straddle Alaska and Canada; home to St. Elias, Bona, and Fairweather.
Sierra Nevada: Classic granite summits of California, including Mount Whitney and Mount Williamson.
Rocky Mountains: Stretch from New Mexico to Canada; many of Colorado’s Fourteeners are found here.
Cascade Range: A chain of volcanoes running through Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.
Wrangell Mountains: An Alaskan range with several volcanoes.

Why So Many Tall Peaks Are in Alaska

Alaska holds the overwhelming majority of the country’s highest summits due to ongoing tectonic collision and uplift at the edge of the Pacific Plate. The state’s glaciated terrain, seismic activity, and subarctic climate help preserve its mountainous topography, creating a truly wild and untamed collection of peaks. In contrast, erosion and older geological ages have generally resulted in lower summits across the rest of the country.

Four Facts That Set U.S. Mountain Peaks Apart

Vertical Relief: Denali rises about 18,000 feet above its base, one of the world’s largest vertical gains from base to summit.
Elevation Contrast: Mount Whitney (highest point in the lower 48) and Death Valley’s Badwater Basin (lowest point) are just 85 miles apart.
Glaciation: Alaska’s peaks are deeply glaciated, with flowing ice shaping entire valleys and towns below.
Volcanic Peaks: The tallest summits in the Cascades and some Sierran peaks are volcanic in origin, unlike most of Colorado’s sedimentary and metamorphic Fourteeners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which mountain is the tallest in the United States?

Denali in Alaska, at 20,310 feet, is the highest mountain in both the United States and North America.

What is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States?

Mount Whitney in California stands as the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,505 feet.

How many Fourteeners are found in Colorado?

Colorado is home to 53 officially recognized ‘Fourteeners’—mountains over 14,000 feet high.

What is unique about Mount Rainier?

Mount Rainier is both the highest peak in Washington and an active stratovolcano; it’s also one of North America’s most glaciated mountains, featuring more than 25 named glaciers.

Why are most of the tallest U.S. mountains in Alaska?

Alaska’s ongoing tectonic uplift, younger mountainous terrain, and cold, glaciated conditions enable its peaks to reach and retain greater elevations than elsewhere in the country.

What is the lowest point in North America, and how close is it to Mount Whitney?

Badwater Basin in California’s Death Valley is the continent’s lowest point; it sits less than 85 miles from Mount Whitney, creating one of the world’s most dramatic elevation contrasts.

Further Exploration: Climbing and Conservation

America’s tallest mountains remain enduring symbols of natural beauty and challenge. Climbing them requires extensive preparation, respect for wilderness regulations, and awareness of the unique ecological roles these peaks play. Conservation efforts continue to balance recreation, science, and the preservation of the nation’s mountain ecosystems for future generations.

Key Takeaways

Denali reigns as the highest mountain in the United States and North America.
Alaska dominates the list of the highest American peaks.
The tallest in the Lower 48, Mount Whitney, anchors the Sierra Nevada, while Colorado leads in Fourteeners.
The U.S. mountain landscape reflects a striking diversity in geology, ecology, and cultural importance.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete