If you ask most people what the highest peak in United States is, they’ll probably say Denali. They’re right, of course. But honestly, the story behind this mountain is way weirder and more controversial than just a simple elevation number.
We’re talking about a literal giant that is so massive it creates its own weather. It’s a place where the air is so thin you feel like you’re breathing through a straw, and the history of its name has sparked political feuds for decades.
Denali: The High One That Almost Wasn't
First things first. The official height of Denali is 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).
For a long time, everyone thought it was 20,320 feet. That was the "gold standard" number since the 1950s. But in 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) used high-tech GPS and realized the mountain hadn't actually shrunk; we just got better at measuring it. Ten feet might not sound like much, but in the world of mountaineering, every inch is a badge of honor.
There’s a common misconception that Mount Everest is the "tallest" mountain. It’s the highest because it sits on the Tibetan Plateau, which is already super high. But if you measure from the base to the peak—the actual vertical rise—Denali is technically taller than Everest. Everest rises about 12,000 feet from its base. Denali? It shoots up a staggering 18,000 feet from the Alaskan tundra. When you stand at the bottom and look up, you’re seeing more vertical rock and ice than you would at the base of the world's highest mountain. It’s basically a skyscraper made of granite and glaciers.
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The Name War: McKinley vs. Denali
You might still hear people call it Mount McKinley. Depending on who you ask—and what year it is—that name might be considered a tribute or a total insult.
The name "Denali" comes from the Koyukon Athabascan language. It means "The Tall One" or "The Great One." Simple. Accurate. Indigenous people in Alaska called it that for thousands of years.
Then came 1896. A gold prospector named William Dickey decided to name the mountain after William McKinley, who was running for president at the time. Why? Because Dickey liked McKinley’s stance on the gold standard. Seriously. The mountain was named as a political shout-out.
A Century of Back-and-Forth
- 1917: The federal government officially names it Mount McKinley.
- 1975: The state of Alaska officially changes the name back to Denali and asks the feds to do the same.
- 2015: President Obama officially restores the name Denali on the federal level.
- 2025: President Trump signs an executive order to revert the federal name to Mount McKinley.
It’s a bit of a mess. Most Alaskans and climbers still call it Denali. It feels more "right" for a mountain that’s been there for millions of years to have a name that reflects the land, rather than a politician from Ohio who never even visited Alaska.
Why This Mountain Is a Literal Beast
Geologically, Denali shouldn’t be this tall. Most of the peaks around it in the Alaska Range are around 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Denali is basically a double-decker version of its neighbors.
Geologists like Peter Haeussler have spent years trying to figure out why. It turns out the mountain is sitting right on a "bend" in the Denali Fault. As the tectonic plates push against each other, they get stuck at this bend, forcing the land to crumble and shoot upward.
Because it's so far north (63° North latitude), the barometric pressure is lower than it would be at the equator. This means the air feels even thinner than the elevation suggests. Standing on the summit of Denali feels like standing on a 22,000-foot peak in the Himalayas.
The Weather Is a Nightmare
Honestly, the weather on Denali is terrifying. We’re talking -40°C temperatures and winds that can exceed 100 mph. In January 2026, temperatures near the park have already bottomed out at bone-chilling levels.
Because the mountain stands so much higher than everything else, it intercepts the moisture-rich air coming off the Gulf of Alaska. This creates "lenticular clouds"—those weird UFO-looking clouds—that signal some of the worst storms on the planet are currently smashing into the summit.
Planning to See the Highest Peak in United States?
If you're not a pro climber, don't worry. You can still experience the scale of this thing without risking frostbite.
- Talkeetna is the place to be. This tiny town is the gateway for climbers. You can take a "flightseeing" tour from here. Many pilots will actually land you on a glacier. It’s expensive, but standing on the Kahiltna Glacier is a life-changing experience.
- The Denali Star Train. This is the iconic way to see the park. The train has glass-domed ceilings. If the weather is clear (which is rare—the mountain is hidden by clouds about 70% of the time), the view is insane.
- Wonder Lake. This is the classic "postcard" view. It’s at the end of the Park Road. On a calm day, the mountain reflects perfectly in the water.
What Most People Get Wrong
A big myth is that you can just "hike" to the top. Nope. Not even close.
Climbing Denali requires about 21 days of hauling 100-pound sleds through crevasse-riddled glaciers. You need to be an expert in glacier travel and crevasse rescue. About 1,200 people try it every year, and only about half actually make it to the top. The "West Buttress" is the most popular route, but even that is a grueling test of endurance.
Another weird fact: You have to carry your own waste out. To keep the mountain clean, the National Park Service requires climbers to use "Clean Mountain Cans." It’s not glamorous, but it keeps the highest peak in the United States from becoming a frozen landfill.
The Continental Comparison
Just for the sake of clarity, while Denali is the king of the whole U.S., Mount Whitney is the highest point in the "Lower 48" (the contiguous United States).
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| Mountain | Location | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Denali | Alaska | 20,310 ft |
| Mount Whitney | California | 14,505 ft |
| Mount Elbert | Colorado | 14,440 ft |
| Mount Rainier | Washington | 14,411 ft |
Whitney is a tough hike, but you can do it in a day if you're fit. You can’t "day-trip" Denali. It’s a completely different level of "big."
Real Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you actually want to see the mountain this year, here is what you need to do:
- Book your Park Road bus early. The main road into the park is often under repair (look up the Pretty Rocks landslide). Check the NPS website for the current "end of the road" status.
- Aim for June. It's the best balance of daylight and slightly-less-miserable weather.
- Bring layers. Even in July, it can snow at the higher elevations of the park.
- Manage expectations. Remember the "30% Club." Only 30% of visitors actually see the mountain because of the cloud cover. If you see it, consider yourself lucky.
The highest peak in United States isn't just a point on a map. It’s a living, growing piece of geology that continues to push skyward at about half a millimeter every year. Whether you call it McKinley or Denali, there's no denying it's the most dominant landmark on the North American continent.
Next Steps:
- Check the official Denali National Park Service page for current trail closures and bus schedules.
- If you're considering a climb, look into registered guide services like Alpine Ascents or Alaska Mountaineering School at least a year in advance.
- Download an offline map of the Alaska Range, as cell service is non-existent once you pass the park entrance.