Tallest Mountains in the U.S. (14,000 Feet+)

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

Mountaineering is much more than scaling the highest peak and dreaming of the next trek you’re going to take. For many, it’s a lifelong dream to climb the highest mountain possible, whether that is isolated to a stretch of summits in Canada, a particular peak in North America, or even the highest point in the world – Mount Everest.

But for climbers looking for a challenge closer to home, the United States is home to a variety of mountain range treks that will still leave you feeling accomplished, including the 92 peaks that stretch to 14,000 feet above sea level. 

You can locate these summits dotting the contiguous United States and central Alaska, including mountains found in a national park, peaks that are stratovolcanoes, and towering heights that poke through the clouds.

From the Alaska Range to the Sierra Nevada, Denali National Park to the Rocky Mountains on the Canadian border, and the Cascade Range to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the highest mountain peaks offer goals, challenges, and different perspectives for all interested climbers.

What Is the Highest Mountain in the United States?

In the entire United States, Alaska has the highest mountain peak, now called Denali. The mountain was formerly known as Mount McKinley, but former president Barak Obama restored its native Alaskan name in 2015, renaming it Denali.

Denali, Alaska reaches a staggering height of 20,320 feet above sea level – the tallest mountain in the United States as a whole.

What Is the Highest Mountain in the Continental 48 States?

Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the continental U.S. It is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of eastern California, and west of Lone Pine. The foot of the mountain is dotted with trees and lies on the edge of Sequoia National Park.

What Is the Highest Peak in Hawaii?

You might notice that Hawaii is not included in this list of the highest peaks in the U.S. that tower above 14,000 feet. Well, that’s because Hawaii’s tallest peak is Mauna Kea, a volcanic mountain that only reaches 13,796 feet. 

However, Mauna Kea is still an important geographical and geological landmark. It is considered the world’s largest active volcano, and when it is measured from where the slope begins on the sea floor, the entire volcano is almost 33,500 feet high — taller than Mount Everest (29,029 feet)! Mauna Kea's last eruption occurred in late November 2022, breaking a 38-year dry spell.

Where Are the Highest Mountains in the United States?

To help you plan your next foray into the wilds of the United States, read on for a list of the 92 mountain peaks in the U.S. that surpass 14,000 feet, along with their height and their state. From Washington to California, Colorado to Alaska, we have pinpointed the tallest peak in each range!

RankMountain NameStateHeight
(ft.)
1Denali1Alaska20,320
2Mount St. EliasAlaska18,008
3Mount ForakerAlaska17,400
4Mount BonaAlaska16,500
5Mount BlackburnAlaska16,390
6Mount SanfordAlaska16,237
7Mount VancouverAlaska15,979
8South ButtressAlaska15,885
9Mount ChurchillAlaska15,638
10Mount FairweatherAlaska15,300
11Mount HubbardAlaska14,950
12Mount BearAlaska14,831
13East ButtressAlaska14,730
14Mount HunterAlaska14,573
15Browne TowerAlaska14,530
17Mount WhitneyCalifornia14,500.242
16Mount AlverstoneAlaska14,500
18University PeakAlaska14,470
19Mount ElbertColorado14,433
20Mount MassiveColorado14,421
21Mount HarvardColorado14,420
22Mount RainierWashington14,410
23Mount WilliamsonCalifornia14,370
24La Plata PeakColorado14,361
25Blanca PeakColorado14,345
26Uncompahgre PeakColorado14,309
27Crestone PeakColorado14,294
28Mount LincolnColorado14,286
29Grays PeakColorado14,270
30Mount AnteroColorado14,269
31Torreys PeakColorado14,267
32Castle PeakColorado14,265
33Quandary PeakColorado14,265
34Mount EvansColorado14,264
35Longs PeakColorado14,255
36Mount WilsonColorado14,246
37White MountainCalifornia14,246
38North PalisadeCalifornia14,242
39Mount CameronColorado14,238
40Mount ShavanoColorado14,229
41Crestone NeedleColorado14,197
42Mount BelfordColorado14,197
43Mount PrincetonColorado14,197
44Mount YaleColorado14,196
45Mount BrossColorado14,172
46Kit Carson MountainColorado14,165
47Mount WrangellAlaska14,163
48Mount SillCalifornia14,162
49Mount ShastaCalifornia14,162
50El Diente PeakColorado14,159
51Point SuccessWashington14,158
52Maroon PeakColorado14,156
53Tabeguache MountainColorado14,155
54Mount OxfordColorado14,153
55Mount SneffelsColorado14,150
56Mount DemocratColorado14,148
57Capitol PeakColorado14,130
58Liberty CapWashington14,112
59Pikes PeakColorado14,110
60Snowmass MountainColorado14,092
61Mount RussellCalifornia14,088
62Mount EolusColorado14,083
63Windom PeakColorado14,082
64Mount ColumbiaColorado14,073
65Mount AugustaAlaska14,070
66Missouri MountainColorado14,067
67Humboldt PeakColorado14,064
68Mount BierstadtColorado14,060
69Sunlight PeakColorado14,059
70Split MountainCalifornia14,058
71Handies PeakColorado14,048
72Culebra PeakColorado14,047
73Mount LindseyColorado14,042
74Ellingwood PointColorado14,042
75Middle PalisadeCalifornia14,040
76Little Bear PeakColorado14,037
77Mount ShermanColorado14,036
78Redcloud PeakColorado14,034
79Mount LangleyCalifornia14,027
80Conundrum PeakColorado14,022
81Mount TyndallCalifornia14,019
82Pyramid PeakColorado14,018
83Wilson PeakColorado14,017
84Wetterhorn PeakColorado14,015
85North Maroon PeakColorado14,014
86San Luis PeakColorado14,014
87Middle PalisadeCalifornia14,012
88Mount MuirCalifornia14,012
89Mount of the Holy CrossColorado14,005
90Huron PeakColorado14,003
91Thunderbolt PeakCalifornia14,003
92Sunshine PeakColorado14,001
1. In August 2015, President Barack Obama renamed Mount McKinley, restoring the Alaskan native name, Denali. The mountain's height was also reassessed in 2015 and found to be 10 feet shorter than previous measurements, rising to 20,310 feet instead of 20,320 feet in elevation.
2. For years, scientists and climbers thought Mount Whitney was 14,494, based on the USGS benchmark of a NGVD29 elevation, but this was later rectified.

Mountain Peaks in the United States Higher Than 14,000 Feet

Across the U.S., you can find various extremes, including the lowest points and highest peaks. But when you take a look at the 92 American peaks that rise above 14,000 feet to become the tallest mountains in the U.S., it’s easy to see a variety of adventurous opportunities ready to be embraced.

If you want to know more about highs and lows, check out the Extreme Points of the United States, or become a virtual mountaineer and take our Climbing Mount Everest quiz!

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Also see Highest Mountain Peaks of the World.

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