US States With Mountains: 21 States Have Significant Peaks

Mountainous terrain exists in many US states, but **21 states** contain **significant mountain ranges or high peaks** (generally >2,000 m / 6,500 ft or named ranges):

The 21 Mountain States

1. Alaska (Denali, Alaska Range)
2. Arizona (San Francisco Peaks, Sky Islands)
3. California (Sierra Nevada, Cascades, Transverse Ranges)
4. Colorado (Rockies—58 "14ers")
5. Idaho (Rockies, Lost River, Sawtooth)
6. Montana (Rockies, Glacier NP)
7. Nevada (Basin & Range—100+ ranges)
8. New Hampshire (White Mountains)
9. New Mexico (Rockies, Sangre de Cristo)
10. North Carolina (Appalachians—Mt. Mitchell, highest East)
11. Oregon (Cascades, Wallowas)
12. South Carolina (Blue Ridge Escarpment—small area)
13. South Dakota (Black Hills)
14. Tennessee (Appalachians—Great Smokies)
15. Texas (Guadalupe Mountains)
16. Utah (Wasatch, Uintas, Rockies)
17. Vermont (Green Mountains)
18. Virginia (Blue Ridge, Shenandoah)
19. Washington (Cascades, Olympics)
20. West Virginia (Appalachians—entirely mountainous)
21. Wyoming (Rockies, Tetons, Wind Rivers)

Notes

• Appalachian states (GA, KY, MD, PA, etc.) have mountains but lower elevation; often excluded from "mountain state" lists.
• Hawaii has volcanic mountains (Mauna Kea/Loa) but is oceanic, not continental.
• Definitions vary by threshold (prominence, relief, cultural identity).