Most Mountainous States

Last updated November 24, 2024

Highest Elevation (ft)
Top
Last
Highest Elevation (ft)Question Mark
1.AlaskaAlaska20,310
2.CaliforniaCalifornia14,494
3.ColoradoColorado14,440
4.WashingtonWashington14,411
5.WyomingWyoming13,804
6.HawaiiHawaii13,803
7.UtahUtah13,528
8.New MexicoNew Mexico13,161
9.NevadaNevada13,140
10.MontanaMontana12,807
11.IdahoIdaho12,662
12.ArizonaArizona12,637
13.OregonOregon11,249
14.TexasTexas8,751
15.South DakotaSouth Dakota7,244
16.North CarolinaNorth Carolina6,684
17.TennesseeTennessee6,643
18.New HampshireNew Hampshire6,288
19.VirginiaVirginia5,729
20.NebraskaNebraska5,429
21.New YorkNew York5,344
22.MaineMaine5,268
23.OklahomaOklahoma4,973
24.West VirginiaWest Virginia4,863
25.GeorgiaGeorgia4,784
26.VermontVermont4,395
27.KentuckyKentucky4,145
28.KansasKansas4,039
29.South CarolinaSouth Carolina3,554
30.North DakotaNorth Dakota3,506
31.MassachusettsMassachusetts3,491
32.MarylandMaryland3,360
33.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania3,213
34.ArkansasArkansas2,753
35.AlabamaAlabama2,413
36.ConnecticutConnecticut2,379
37.MinnesotaMinnesota2,301
38.MichiganMichigan1,979
39.WisconsinWisconsin1,951
40.New JerseyNew Jersey1,803
41.MissouriMissouri1,772
42.IowaIowa1,670
43.OhioOhio1,549
44.IndianaIndiana1,257
45.IllinoisIllinois1,235
46.Rhode IslandRhode Island811
47.MississippiMississippi806
48.LouisianaLouisiana535
49.DelawareDelaware447
50.FloridaFlorida345

Introduction

As an essential aspect of the country's diverse topography, mountains play a vital role in America's geographical persona. Ranging from tranquil, snow-capped summits in Alaska to the sun-soaked peaks in Hawaii, the nation's mountains not only define the physical landscape but profoundly influence climate, wildlife, and human activities.

  • Alaska stands unparalleled with the Denali’s staggering height of 20,310 ft - more than twice the tallest peak in the eastern U.S.
  • Following Alaska, but not by much, states in the Mountain West dominate the list with California's Mount Whitney peaking at 14,494 ft, Colorado's Mount Elbert at 14,440 ft, and Washington's Mount Rainier at 14,411 ft.
  • Hawaii isn't generally associated with mountainous terrain in popular conception, but it holds the sixth rank for its highest peak, Mauna Kea, extending 13,803 ft above sea level.
  • Interestingly, the South Eastern States, geographically known for their flat areas and beaches, still boast some appreciable mountainous peaks with North Carolina and Tennessee sitting over 6,000 ft.
  • Finally, states generally not known for mountains, like Nebraska and Kansas, boast peaks reaching over 4,000 ft.

10 Most Mountainous States

Based on their peak elevations, the ten most mountainous states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Washington, Wyoming, Hawaii, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Montana.

Alaska holds the high-ranking position, with the tallest peak in the nation, Denali, standing at a majestic 20,310 feet. Trailing but not far behind, California comes in second with Mount Whitney at 14,494 feet, followed closely by Colorado's highest point, Mount Elbert, standing at 14,440 feet.

The stunning Mount Rainier in Washington lays claim to the fourth spot at 14,411 feet, with Wyoming's highest peak, Gannett Peak, ascending to 13,804 feet. Further proving to have more than just beautiful beaches, Hawaii stands at sixth with Mauna Kea reaching a height of 13,803 feet. Utah, famed for its unique geological features, also slew in with Kings Peak reaching a height of 13,528 feet.

Adding diversity to the list, New Mexico rises in the ranks with its highest peak, Wheeler Peak, standing at 13,161 feet. Nevada, known for its vast desert lands, surprises with Boundary Peak at 13,140 feet. Montana closes the list, showcasing Granite Peak at a significant 12,807 feet.

10 Most Mountainous States - Peak Elevation (ft):

  1. Alaska – 20,310
  2. California – 14,494
  3. Colorado – 14,440
  4. Washington – 14,411
  5. Wyoming – 13,804
  6. Hawaii – 13,803
  7. Utah – 13,528
  8. New Mexico – 13,161
  9. Nevada – 13,140
  10. Montana – 12,807

By Region

Alabama

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Ranked in U.S.

#35

Alaska

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Ranked in U.S.

#1

Arizona

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Ranked in U.S.

#12

Arkansas

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Ranked in U.S.

#34

California

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Ranked in U.S.

#2

Colorado

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Ranked in U.S.

#3

Connecticut

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Ranked in U.S.

#36

Delaware

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Ranked in U.S.

#49

Florida

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Ranked in U.S.

#50

Georgia

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Ranked in U.S.

#25

Hawaii

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Ranked in U.S.

#6

Idaho

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Ranked in U.S.

#11

Illinois

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Ranked in U.S.

#45

Indiana

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Ranked in U.S.

#44

Iowa

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Ranked in U.S.

#42

Kansas

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Ranked in U.S.

#28

Kentucky

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Ranked in U.S.

#27

Louisiana

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Ranked in U.S.

#48

Maine

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Ranked in U.S.

#22

Maryland

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Ranked in U.S.

#32

Massachusetts

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Ranked in U.S.

#31

Michigan

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Ranked in U.S.

#38

Minnesota

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Ranked in U.S.

#37

Mississippi

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Ranked in U.S.

#47

Missouri

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Ranked in U.S.

#41

Montana

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Ranked in U.S.

#10

Nebraska

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Ranked in U.S.

#20

Nevada

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Ranked in U.S.

#9

New Hampshire

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Ranked in U.S.

#18

New Jersey

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Ranked in U.S.

#40

New Mexico

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Ranked in U.S.

#8

New York

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Ranked in U.S.

#21

North Carolina

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Ranked in U.S.

#16

North Dakota

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Ranked in U.S.

#30

Ohio

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Ranked in U.S.

#43

Oklahoma

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Ranked in U.S.

#23

Oregon

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Ranked in U.S.

#13

Pennsylvania

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Ranked in U.S.

#33

Rhode Island

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Ranked in U.S.

#46

South Carolina

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Ranked in U.S.

#29

South Dakota

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Ranked in U.S.

#15

Tennessee

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Ranked in U.S.

#17

Texas

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Ranked in U.S.

#14

Utah

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Ranked in U.S.

#7

Vermont

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Ranked in U.S.

#26

Virginia

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Ranked in U.S.

#19

Washington

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Ranked in U.S.

#4

West Virginia

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Ranked in U.S.

#24

Wisconsin

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Ranked in U.S.

#39

Wyoming

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Ranked in U.S.

#5

Table

Region ↕Highest Elevation (ft)↕
Alabama iconAlabama2,413
Alaska iconAlaska20,310
Arizona iconArizona12,637
Arkansas iconArkansas2,753
California iconCalifornia14,494
Colorado iconColorado14,440
Connecticut iconConnecticut2,379
Delaware iconDelaware447
Florida iconFlorida345
Georgia iconGeorgia4,784
Hawaii iconHawaii13,803
Idaho iconIdaho12,662
Illinois iconIllinois1,235
Indiana iconIndiana1,257
Iowa iconIowa1,670
Kansas iconKansas4,039
Kentucky iconKentucky4,145
Louisiana iconLouisiana535
Maine iconMaine5,268
Maryland iconMaryland3,360
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts3,491
Michigan iconMichigan1,979
Minnesota iconMinnesota2,301
Mississippi iconMississippi806
Missouri iconMissouri1,772
Montana iconMontana12,807
Nebraska iconNebraska5,429
Nevada iconNevada13,140
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire6,288
New Jersey iconNew Jersey1,803
New Mexico iconNew Mexico13,161
New York iconNew York5,344
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina6,684
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota3,506
Ohio iconOhio1,549
Oklahoma iconOklahoma4,973
Oregon iconOregon11,249
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania3,213
Rhode Island iconRhode Island811
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina3,554
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota7,244
Tennessee iconTennessee6,643
Texas iconTexas8,751
Utah iconUtah13,528
Vermont iconVermont4,395
Virginia iconVirginia5,729
Washington iconWashington14,411
West Virginia iconWest Virginia4,863
Wisconsin iconWisconsin1,951
Wyoming iconWyoming13,804
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