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

Updated July 30, 2023 | Infoplease 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!

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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