What State Has the Most Mountains in the U.S.? 8 Peak Records

By: Grant Virellan  | 
Mount Whitney
California's Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the lower 48, but the Golden State has nowhere near as many mountains as No. 1 on this list. Ollphotograph / Shutterstock

If you're wondering what state has the most mountains, it depends on how you define "mountains." Some states have the most named mountain ranges or mountainous land area, whereas others have the outright highest mountain peaks.

From the Rocky Mountains to the Sierra Nevada, here are the U.S. states with the most mountainous claims.

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1. Nevada: Most Named Mountain Ranges

Great Basin
Great Basin National Park, Nevada. Arlene Waller / Shutterstock

Nevada holds the record for the most named mountain ranges in the contiguous United States—over 300. The Great Basin is filled with parallel ranges and valleys. Its highest point, Boundary Peak, reaches 13,140 feet (4,005 meters), making it a lesser-known but rugged state for hikers and climbers.

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2. Alaska

Denali
Denali. evenfh / Shutterstock

Alaska has the highest mountain in the U.S. and all of North America: Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), which rises to 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level.

The state is home to countless peaks and mountain ranges, dominating any list by peak elevation and sheer land area covered by mountains.

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3. Colorado

Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Colorado Rocky Mountains. Greg Meland / Shutterstock

Colorado has the highest mean elevation of any U.S. state at around 6,800 feet (2,073 meters) above sea level.

The Rocky Mountains stretch across the state, and Mount Elbert, its tallest peak, reaches 14,440 feet (4,401 meters). It's part of the Mountain West and beloved by hikers, climbers, and skiers.

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4. California

Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney. Stillgravity / Shutterstock

California is home to Mount Whitney, which stands at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters), making it the tallest mountain in the lower 48.

California's terrain includes the Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges, and parts of the Cascade Range, making it one of the most mountainous states.

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5. Utah

Wasatch Range
Wasatch Range. Soren989 / Shutterstock

Utah combines desert and mountain in stunning contrast. From the Wasatch Range near Salt Lake City to the Colorado Plateau in the southeast, it's one of the eight Mountain States, which are all in the Mountain Time Zone (except Nevada).

Kings Peak is the state’s highest point, at 13,528 feet (4,123 meters).

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6. Wyoming

Gannett Peak
Gannett Peak. Jeff Bernhard / Shutterstock

Wyoming is known for its rugged wilderness and high plains. Gannett Peak, the state’s tallest mountain at 13,809 feet (4,209 meters), is harder to reach than many higher peaks.

Wyoming’s share of the Rocky Mountains makes it a top destination for skiing, climbing, and backcountry exploration.

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7. Montana

Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Wichakorn Kitrungrot / Shutterstock

Montana’s nickname, “Big Sky Country,” fits its dramatic landscapes. The Rockies sweep through the state, with Granite Peak standing tallest at 12,807 feet (3,904 meters). The mix of mountain ranges and plains defines much of its wild beauty.

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8. New Mexico

New Mexico
New Mexico. John Corso / Shutterstock

Often overlooked, New Mexico includes parts of the Southern Rockies and offers dramatic elevation changes. Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 feet (4,011 meters), is the state’s highest peak. The mix of high elevation, desert, and mountain ranges offers unique scenery and climate.

These mountain states represent the tallest, most rugged, and most geologically diverse parts of the U.S. Whether by average elevation, number of ranges, or peak height, they define the USA's high points.

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We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

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