10 Highest Peaks in North America: Why Denali Tops Your Bucket List

Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, towers above the Alaska Range with dramatic glaciers, rugged peaks, and clouds drifting across the sky in Denali National Park.

10 Highest Peaks in North America: Why Denali Tops Your Bucket List

When it comes to mountains, Alaska is in a league of its own. While Colorado, Washington, and California all boast stunning summits, it is Alaska that claims most of the country’s giants—including 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States. At the top of this lofty list is Denali, the highest mountain in North America, rising to an awe-inspiring 20,310 feet (6,194 meters).

For travelers and climbers alike, Alaska’s peaks aren’t just statistics on a chart—they’re symbols of wildness, adventure, and untamed beauty. And for those planning a bucket-list journey, there’s no better place to experience them than Denali National Park, with McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café serving as your cozy, locally owned basecamp.

Denali: The High One

Denali National Park – Alaska’s Tallest Peak and Scenic Tundra Views

Denali dominates the Alaska Range and the entire continent. Its name, given by the Koyukon Athabascans, means The High One, and it’s easy to see why. Denali rises dramatically from the surrounding lowlands, creating one of the greatest vertical reliefs on Earth—greater even than Mount Everest when measured from base to summit.

Climbers dream of standing on Denali’s icy summit, but even from afar, its presence is humbling. On a clear day, visitors to Denali National Park can see the snowy massif towering above the tundra and taiga. For many, this breathtaking view alone makes the trip to Alaska worthwhile.

Alaska’s Other Mighty Peaks

Denali National Park Sunrise on Snow-Capped Peak

Denali National Park – Snow-Capped Denali at Sunset

Denali National Park Entrance Sign – Alaska Travel Landmark

Denali may be the star, but it’s far from alone. Alaska is home to a lineup of dramatic summits that showcase the state’s scale and beauty:

• Mount Saint Elias (18,008 ft / 5,489 m): The second-highest peak in both the U.S. and Canada, rising sharply from the Gulf of Alaska.

• Mount Foraker (17,400 ft / 5,304 m): Known as Denali’s sister peak, it stands as a formidable neighbor in the Alaska Range.

• Mount Bona (16,550 ft / 5,044 m): The highest volcano in the U.S., cloaked in glaciers within the Wrangell Mountains.

• Mount Blackburn (16,390 ft / 4,981 m): A rugged, glacier-clad giant in the Wrangells.

• Mount Sanford (16,237 ft / 4,949 m): A symmetrical volcanic cone that remains one of Alaska’s most striking peaks.

• Mount Fairweather (15,325 ft / 4,671 m): True to its name, it offers rare glimpses of beauty when skies are clear, visible from Glacier Bay.

• Mount Hubbard (14,951 ft / 4,558 m): A glacier-covered giant straddling the Alaska–Canada border.

• Mount Bear (14,831 ft / 4,520 m): Towering but often overlooked, it still outranks every peak outside Alaska except Mount Rainier.

• Mount Hunter (14,573 ft / 4,442 m): Renowned for technical climbing challenges in the Alaska Range.

  
  

High Peaks Beyond Alaska

While Alaska dominates the top 20 list, the Lower 48 states also contribute impressive summits:

• Colorado – Famous for its “14ers,” including Mount Elbert (14,440 ft), Mount Massive (14,428 ft), and Mount Harvard (14,420 ft).

• Washington – Home to Mount Rainier (14,411 ft), a glaciated volcano visible for miles.

• California – Crowned by Mount Whitney (14,505 ft), the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S.

These mountains are iconic, but none rival Alaska’s combination of sheer height, wilderness, and remoteness.

Why Alaska’s Mountains Belong on Every Bucket List

Dall Sheep on Rocky Ridge – Denali National Park, Alaska

Hiking Snowy Ridge – Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park – Visitors in Wildflower Meadow with Mountain Views

Alaska is a land of extremes—vast landscapes, giant glaciers, and mountains that make the rest of the country look small. Seeing them in person is an experience that words can’t fully capture.

Why it’s bucket-list worthy:

• Raw Wilderness: Six million acres of tundra, taiga, and towering peaks in Denali National Park.

• Wildlife Encounters: Moose, caribou, grizzlies, and Dall sheep roam freely.

• Fall Magic: September brings fiery tundra colors, crisp air, fewer crowds, and even the northern lights.

• Adventure for All: Whether you hike, flightsee, or simply take in the views, Denali offers experiences for every traveler.

  
  

Where to Stay: McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café

To fully enjoy Denali, you’ll want lodging that’s authentic, comfortable, and close to the park entrance. That’s why so many visitors choose McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café:

McKinley Creekside Cabins – Boutique Lodging on Carlo Creek Near Denali National Park

• Prime Location: Just 15 minutes south of the Denali entrance, along scenic Carlo Creek.

• Cabins & Rentals: Signature cabins for couples, larger family cabins, and spacious house rentals for groups.

• Onsite Dining: The award-winning Creekside Café & Bakery is a Denali favorite. Start your day with Alaska-grown potatoes, giant cinnamon rolls, or rhubarb muffins. End it with fresh Alaskan halibut, risotto, or a cocktail made from local spirits.

• Locally Owned: A women-owned, boutique lodge that offers personal touches you won’t find at chain hotels.

• Seasonal Tip: For 2026, the last day for reservations is September 14, the perfect time for fall colors and aurora sightings.

Staying at Creekside means more than a bed—it’s an experience. Guests relax along the creek, savor local flavors, and feel truly at home in the heart of Alaska.

Conclusion

From Denali’s towering summit to the coastal ridges of Mount Saint Elias, Alaska’s mountains are unmatched in height, scale, and wild beauty. They are more than landmarks—they are living symbols of the Last Frontier.

A visit to Denali National Park belongs on every traveler’s bucket list. And when you go, make McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café your basecamp for adventure. With cozy cabins, award-winning dining, and genuine Alaskan hospitality, you’ll experience the mountains not just as scenery, but as part of your story.

Alaska is a must. Denali is unforgettable. Creekside is where it all comes together.

Heights at a glance

Alaska is home to many of the highest peaks in the United States. The state boasts a significant number of high mountains, including Denali (also known as Mount McKinley), which is the highest peak in North America and the United States.

Alaska 

1.       Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) - 20,310 feet (6,194 meters)

2.       Mount Saint Elias - 18,008 feet (5,489 meters)

3.       Mount Foraker - 17,400 feet (5,304 meters)

4.       Mount Bona - 16,550 feet (5,044 meters)

5.       Mount Blackburn - 16,390 feet (4,981 meters)

6.       Mount Sanford - 16,237 feet (4,949 meters)

7.       Mount Fairweather - 15,325 feet (4,671 meters), also extends into Canada

8.       Mount Hubbard - 14,951 feet (4,558 meters), straddles the Alaska-Canada border

9.       Mount Bear - 14,831 feet (4,520 meters), also extends into Canada

10.   Mount Hunter - 14,573 feet (4,442 meters)

Colorado

11.   Mount Elbert - 14,440 feet (4,401 meters)

12.   Mount Massive - 14,428 feet (4,398 meters)

13.   Mount Harvard - 14,420 feet (4,396 meters)

Washington

14.   Mount Rainier - 14,411 feet (4,392 meters)

California

15.   Mount Williamson - 14,379 feet (4,383 meters)

Colorado

16.   Blanca Peak - 14,345 feet (4,372 meters)

17.   La Plata Peak - 14,336 feet (4,369 meters)

18.   Uncompahgre Peak - 14,309 feet (4,365 meters)

19.   Crestone Peak - 14,294 feet (4,357 meters)

20.   Mount Lincoln - 14,286 feet (4,354 meters)

These are the 10 highest peaks in North America, with Alaska and Colorado being the most prominent in terms of high mountains. Denali in Alaska is the highest peak in North America, while Colorado is known for its numerous 14ers (mountains with elevations above 14,000 feet).