What is the highest peak in North America?

Denali is the highest peak in North America.

Located in Alaska’s Alaska Range, Denali reaches 6,190 metres, or 20,310 feet, above sea level. It is the highest mountain in the United States and the highest summit on the North American continent. Denali is also notable for its enormous vertical rise from the surrounding lowlands, making it one of the world’s most imposing mountains when measured from base to summit.

The mountain is traditionally known as Denali, a Koyukon Athabaskan name meaning “the tall one.” It was officially called Mount McKinley by the U.S. federal government from 1917 until 2015, when the federal name was changed back to Denali. In 2025, the federal government again moved to designate it Mount McKinley, although Denali remains widely used and is Alaska’s official state name.

Mount Logan in Canada is North America’s second-highest peak. Pico de Orizaba is Mexico’s highest mountain, and Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous United States, but none reaches Denali’s elevation.