A Complete Guide to the 7 Tallest Mountains in Alaska
This article may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.
Living in Alaska’s interior allowed me to appreciate both the beauty and the extremes of this immense state.
From the silent, snowy expanses of Fairbanks to the breathtaking views of distant, towering peaks, Alaska’s landscape is both inviting and imposing.
In this post, I’ll share interesting info about the tallest mountains in Alaska, which also rank as the tallest in the entire United States.
These peaks are testaments to the scale and splendor of the Alaskan wilderness that I’ve come to know and love.
Alaska’s mountains attract mountaineers, heli-skiers, and backcountry adventurers from around the world — but the same rugged terrain and heavy snowfall also create some of the most dangerous avalanche conditions in the country.
What is the Tallest Mountain in Alaska?
Denali soars impressively as the tallest mountain in Alaska and in North America to an elevation of 20,310 feet. Located in the heart of the Alaska Range, this mountain is a true giant with its summit often shrouded in clouds.
1. Denali
Visitors to Alaska cross their fingers and can only hope the mountain will “be out” and visible during their visit. It’s hit or miss. My most memorable view of Denali was one year in early September when I shot the above photo.
The indigenous Koyukon people revere Denali as “the high one,” a testament to its towering yet elusive presence. The mountain’s massive base and steep, icy slopes challenge even the most experienced climbers.
For those who make it to the summit on clear days, the view stretches for hundreds of miles, encompassing the vast wilderness of interior Alaska.
How to See Denali
Denali National Park and Preserve: The best way to experience Denali up close is within the national park itself, traveling along the Park Road.
Eielson Visitor Center has one of the most striking views of the mountain. Bus tours along this route allow for deeper exploration and enhanced viewing opportunities.
Flightseeing Tours: Flightseeing from Talkeetna provides an amazing aerial perspective of Denali. These tours often feature glacier landings, offering a unique chance to experience the mountain’s vast ice fields up close.
Hiking Opportunities: Denali National Park has numerous trails with views of the mountain. The Savage River Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail are great for those who want to combine a moderate hike with spectacular scenery.
Train Journeys: The Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Route connects Anchorage and Fairbanks, offering panoramic views of Denali on clear days, right from your train seat.
Viewpoints on Parks Highway: Several excellent views of Denali can be found along the Parks Highway, notably near Denali State Park. The viewpoints here, such as the Denali View South (Mile 135.2) and North (Mile 162.7), offer clear, breathtaking views of Denali.
Tallest Mountains in Alaska
Denali usually gets all the attention but there are other tall mountains worth highlighting and seeking out during your travels in Alaska.
2. Mount Saint Elias
Mount St. Elias rises to 18,009 feet, marking the dramatic boundary between Alaska and the Yukon.
This colossal peak is part of the Saint Elias Mountains in southeast Alaska, a range known for its extreme beauty and formidable climbs.
Climbers have to navigate not just the rocky terrains but also some of the largest glaciers in North America.
The intersection of diverse climatic zones around Mount St. Elias creates unique opportunities for witnessing rare flora and fauna adapted to both coastal and alpine conditions.
How to See Mount Saint Elias
Flightseeing Tours: Due to its remote location and rugged terrain, one of the most effective ways to view Mount Saint Elias up close is through flightseeing tours.
These tours are usually offered from Yakutat in Alaska and sometimes from Haines or Skagway. The aerial view allows you to appreciate the massive scale and beauty of this peak and its surrounding glaciers and icefields.
Yakutat, Alaska: As the closest town to Mount Saint Elias, Yakutat serves as a good base for those looking to catch a glimpse of the mountain.
From Yakutat, you can see the mountain on clear days, although it’s still quite distant. The town itself also offers services for arranging more adventurous excursions like guided glacier tours or flightseeing.
Glacier Bay National Park: For those venturing into Glacier Bay National Park, there are boat tours that skirt the edges of the park and provide distant views of Mount Saint Elias.
These tours offer a unique perspective from the water, showcasing the intersection of the icy waters and the towering peak.
Crossing into Canada – Kluane National Park: For a closer look, adventurous travelers can consider visiting Kluane National Park in Yukon, Canada.
The park is directly adjacent to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska and offers some of the best terrestrial views of Mount Saint Elias from areas like the Icefield Ranges and various hiking trails.
3. Mount Foraker
Mount Foraker stands at 17,400 feet and is just 14 miles southwest of Denali. It’s often seen as Denali’s companion but is also respected in its own right for its incredible stunning beauty.
Known as Sultana Ridge, (sultana meaning “the woman” to the natives), this mountain creates challenging ascents, attracting climbers who wish to veer off the more trodden paths of its famous neighbor.
The environment around Mount Foraker is teeming with wildlife, including wolves and Dall sheep, adding to the allure of the climb.
How to See Mount Foraker
Denali National Park and Preserve: The primary way to see Mount Foraker is by visiting Denali National Park.
Although Foraker is less accessible than Denali itself, there are several points within the park where you can get excellent views of the mountain.
The park’s shuttle buses can take you to viewpoints that offer glimpses of Mount Foraker alongside Denali.
Flightseeing Tours: Flightseeing tours from Talkeetna are a fantastic way to see Mount Foraker up close. These tours often circle around Denali and provide dramatic views of Mount Foraker’s impressive slopes and ridges.
Some tours specifically highlight Foraker as part of their route for those particularly interested in this peak.
Hiking and Camping: For those who want to experience the wilderness up close, there are numerous hiking trails and backcountry camping options within Denali National Park that offer views of Mount Foraker.
Trails like the Kesugi Ridge Trail in the neighboring state park provide stunning vistas not only of Denali but also of Mount Foraker, especially from higher elevations.
Kantishna: The deep interior of Denali National Park, accessible by the park road or air taxi, includes areas like Kantishna where Mount Foraker can sometimes be seen on clear days.
Staying at one of the backcountry lodges in Kantishna can provide a secluded and extended viewing opportunity.
4. Mount Bona
As the one of the highest volcanos in the United States, Mount Bona’s elevation of 16,550 feet makes it a prominent feature of the Saint Elias Range.
This ice-covered giant allows climbers to traverse extensive ice fields and experience the thrill of high-altitude glacial navigation.
The surrounding landscape is stark, dotted with crevasses and icefalls, and the area is often swept by powerful winds that challenge even the most prepared adventurers.
How to See Mount Bona
Flightseeing Tours: Due to its remote location and the challenging terrain surrounding it, flightseeing is one of the best ways to view Mount Bona.
Tours are typically available from Yakutat and McCarthy, offering a spectacular aerial perspective of Mount Bona’s snowy peaks and massive glaciers.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: While Mount Bona itself is not directly accessible by road, the surrounding areas within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park provide ground-based opportunities for viewing.
The park’s vast size and wild nature offer adventurous visitors a chance to experience the area’s natural beauty, including views of Mount Bona from a distance.
Hiking and Mountaineering: For the more adventurous, Mount Bona can be a mountaineering destination. This requires considerable preparation and expertise due to the high altitudes and the technical nature of glacier travel involved.
Guided expeditions are recommended, as they provide the necessary equipment and experience to safely navigate the terrain.
Camping: For those looking to immerse themselves in the wilderness of Wrangell-St. Elias, camping offers a way to potentially view Mount Bona over an extended period.
There are both designated campgrounds and backcountry camping options available within the park, providing a unique experience of the Alaskan wilderness.
5. Mount Blackburn
Mount Blackburn stands proud at 16,390 feet and it is the highest peak in the Wrangell Mountains. It also happens to be a fascinating shield volcano!
Blackburn presents various faces to climbers, each offering different challenges.
The mountain’s extensive ice cap feeds several large glaciers, and its slopes are home to a variety of arctic and subarctic plant species that have adapted to the harsh volcanic soil.
How to See Mount Blackburn
Flightseeing Tours: The best way to get an up-close view of Mount Blackburn is through flightseeing tours. These tours typically operate out of McCarthy or Chitina and provide breathtaking aerial views of the mountain, glaciers, and the surrounding wilderness.
McCarthy Road: For those who prefer ground-based viewing, driving the McCarthy Road offers occasional distant views of Mount Blackburn. This road leads you deep into the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, providing not just views of Blackburn but also an immersive experience of the park’s vast wilderness.
Hiking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: There are no direct trails to Mount Blackburn due to its remote and rugged nature, but several hiking trails within the park offer views of the mountain. These hikes vary in difficulty and can provide different perspectives of Mount Blackburn, framed by Alaska’s stunning natural scenery.
Kennicott and McCarthy: The historic towns of Kennicott and McCarthy serve as excellent base camps for park visitors. From here, you can explore various local trails, each offering unique vistas of Mount Blackburn. These towns are also starting points for more structured tours and adventures within the park.
Camping: For those who want to take in the views over a longer period, camping within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park allows for extended experiences of the natural environment. There are designated campgrounds and backcountry camping options where you can wake up to views of Mount Blackburn.
6. Mount Sanford
At 16,237 feet, Mount Sanford is another impressive shield volcano in the Wrangell Mountain range.
Known for its broad, gentle slopes formed by layers of lava flows, Sanford is less frequently climbed than some of its neighbors but offers equally stunning views of the Alaskan wilderness.
The area around Mount Sanford is noted for its quiet, expansive landscapes, giving visitors a sense of isolation and tranquility that is hard to find in more frequented spots.
How to See Mount Sanford
Flightseeing Tours: Take a flightseeing tour from McCarthy or Chitina to enjoy aerial views of Mount Sanford. This is an exciting way to see the mountain and its surroundings from above.
Road Views: Drive the Edgerton Highway and the McCarthy Road for ground-level views of Mount Sanford. These routes offer glimpses of the mountain’s imposing presence.
Hiking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: Engage in hiking within the park to see Mount Sanford from various trails. The park offers a range of trails from easy walks to challenging backcountry adventures.
Camping: Stay at campgrounds or opt for backcountry camping in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park for extended views of Mount Sanford. This allows for experiencing the mountain at different times of the day, including dramatic sunrises and sunsets.
7. Mount Fairweather
Mount Fairweather stands at 15,325 feet and experiences some of the most severe weather conditions in Alaska.
Despite its challenging climate, the peak has some of the most spectacular vistas over Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve when the weather clears.
Fairweather was named by Captain James Cook in 1778 during a rare spell of good weather. It challenges climbers with its steep, icy faces and unpredictable storms.
How to See Mount Fairweather
Flightseeing Tours: Given the mountain’s remote location, flightseeing is a popular and effective option to view Mount Fairweather. Tours typically operate out of Gustavus or Juneau, Alaska.
These flights not only provide a spectacular aerial view of the mountain but also the surrounding Glacier Bay National Park and its extensive icefields.
Glacier Bay National Park: Mount Fairweather forms a stunning backdrop in Glacier Bay National Park. Visitors can take boat tours that travel through the park and offer distant views of the mountain.
These tours provide not only a chance to see Mount Fairweather but also to witness the dynamic glacial landscape and abundant wildlife of the park.
Kayaking and Small Boat Tours: For a more intimate experience, kayaking or small boat tours in the waters of Glacier Bay offer unique views of Mount Fairweather.
These tours allow for a quieter, closer approach to the natural environment, offering opportunities to see the mountain while navigating the coastal waters.
Bartlett Cove: Located within Glacier Bay National Park, Bartlett Cove offers land-based accommodations and might provide views of Mount Fairweather on clear days. It’s a more accessible option for those who prefer not to venture too far into the wilderness.
Crossing into Canada – Tatshenshini-Alsek Park: For those willing to venture internationally, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, offers wilderness adventures and potential views of Mount Fairweather. This park is less developed and suited for experienced wilderness explorers.
FAQs: Alaska Mountains
Let’s dig into some common questions about mountains in Alaska.
What Is The Most Beautiful Mountain in Alaska?
The most beautiful mountain in Alaska is often considered to be Denali. However, beauty is subjective, and other mountains like Mount Foraker, Mount Saint Elias, and the peaks in the Chugach and Wrangell ranges also offer breathtaking views and dramatic landscapes. Each has its own unique charm and allure.
What is the Largest Mountain In Alaska?
The largest mountain in Alaska is Denali. It stands at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level, making it the tallest peak in North America. Denali is a centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve.
Are The Rockies In Alaska?
No, the Rocky Mountains are not in Alaska. They extend from Canada to New Mexico in the United States. In Alaska, you’ll find other impressive mountain ranges, including the Alaska Range, Brooks Range, and Chugach Mountains.
Is Denali Taller Than Everest?
Denali, at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters), is not taller than Mount Everest, which stands at 29,032 feet (8,848 meters). While Denali has a significant base-to-peak rise, Everest remains the highest mountain above sea level, making it the tallest peak in the world.
What Are the Mountains Called in Alaska?
The Alaska Range is the most famous mountain range in Alaska, home to Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the tallest peak in North America. The range extends from the Alaska-Canada border to the Alaska Peninsula, showcasing dramatic peaks and glaciers.
The Brooks Range is in the Far North of Alaska and spans over 700 miles. It is a significant geographic feature of the Arctic region and is part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The Chugach Mountains are situated in south-central Alaska, near Anchorage. The range has extensive ice fields and lots of accessibility to outdoor recreation activities, including skiing and hiking.
The Wrangell Mountains are in southeastern Alaska. This range includes several massive peaks and active volcanoes, such as Mount Wrangell. The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest national park in the U.S., is located here.
