You’re looking at a map of Alaska. Your eyes drift to that jagged spine of the Alaska Range, hunting for the highest point in North America. Depending on when your map was printed—or honestly, which politician signed the latest executive order—you’re either looking at Mount McKinley or Denali.
It’s the same 20,310-foot hunk of granite. But man, the name has a messy history.
The 2025 Map Shake-up
If you bought a map in 2024, it said Denali. If you're looking at a federal map printed after February 2025, it probably says Mount McKinley again. On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172. This effectively flipped the script on the 2015 decision by the Obama administration to use the indigenous name.
Now, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) have been told to put Mount McKinley back in the primary slot.
It’s confusing.
Basically, the mountain has two identities. To the federal government right now, it’s McKinley. To the State of Alaska—which has officially recognized the name "Denali" since 1975—and to most locals, it’s still Denali. You’ll see both names on various digital maps as they struggle to keep up with the paperwork.
Where exactly is it?
Finding mount mckinley on the map isn't hard once you know the coordinates: 63.0692° N, 151.0070° W.
It sits right in the heart of the Alaska Range. It’s about 130 miles north-northwest of Anchorage and 170 miles southwest of Fairbanks. If you’re driving the George Parks Highway, you’ll hit several "Denali Viewpoints" (which haven't changed their signs) that offer that iconic, looming silhouette on a clear day.
Only about 30% of visitors actually see the summit. The mountain is so massive it literally creates its own weather. Clouds usually wrap around it like a thick blanket.
Why was it ever called McKinley?
Here’s the kicker: William McKinley never even went to Alaska.
In 1896, a gold prospector named William Dickey was trekking through the area. He was annoyed by the "free silver" political arguments he was hearing from other miners. As a sort of "take that" to his rivals, he decided to name the biggest mountain he saw after the champion of the gold standard, William McKinley, who was running for president at the time.
It stuck.
By 1917, the federal government made it official. This happened despite the fact that the Koyukon Athabaskan people had called it Deenaalee (The Tall One) for thousands of years.
The Height Debate: 20,320 or 20,310?
For years, everyone memorized the number 20,320 feet. That was the "official" height. But in 2015, the USGS did a high-tech GPS survey. They found out the mountain had "shrunk" by ten feet.
The new official elevation is 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).
Even with those missing ten feet, it’s still a monster. It has more vertical rise than Mount Everest. Everest sits on the Tibetan Plateau at 14,000 feet, so you only "climb" about 15,000 feet to reach the top. McKinley starts near sea level. You’re looking at a 18,000-foot rise from base to peak. It is, quite literally, a wall of rock and ice.
Navigating the Map Today
If you are planning a trip, don't let the name game trip you up.
- The Park: The surrounding 6 million acres is still officially Denali National Park and Preserve. That hasn't changed.
- The Mountain: Federal documents say Mount McKinley.
- Local Signage: Expect to see Denali everywhere.
- The Town: The little service hub near the park entrance is often called Denali Park.
Most mountaineers and Alaskans stick with Denali. It feels more "right" for a mountain that’s been there for 60 million years, compared to a political nod from the 1890s. But if you’re looking at a brand-new USGS topo map, keep your eyes peeled for the McKinley label.
Real-World Advice for Map Readers
If you're using a GPS or phone app like Gaia GPS or AllTrails, the search results might be wonky. Try searching for both names. Usually, the "Denali" search will get you to the Visitor Center, while "Mount McKinley" might drop the pin directly on the South Peak.
Keep in mind that the Denali Fault—a massive crack in the Earth’s crust—runs right under the mountain. This is why the peak is still growing (about half a centimeter a year), even if the official maps can't agree on what to call it.
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What to do next
If you want to see the mountain for yourself, your best bet is to check the National Park Service (NPS) "Mountain Cam" before you head out. It’s a live feed from the Eielson Visitor Center. It’ll save you a long drive if the peak is "socked in" by clouds. Also, if you’re a map nerd, try to find a vintage 1950s USGS map; the hand-drawn contour lines of the Wickersham Wall are basically works of art.