The following table ranks the 50 highest United States counties or county-equivalents[a] by mean elevation.[b] This list uses the "mean of extremes" elevation which is the arithmetic mean of the highest and lowest elevations.
Lake County, Colorado has the highest U.S. county mean elevation of 11,702 feet (3,567 m). Lake County is the home of Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, the two highest summits of the Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada. Lake County is also the home of the highest U.S. county low point, the Arkansas River at the Chaffee County line with an elevation of 8,965 feet (2,733 m).
With the highest mountain of all North America, the Denali Borough of Alaska has both the highest U.S. county high point, the summit of Denali at 20,310 feet (6,190.5 m) elevation, and the greatest U.S. county elevation range of 19,925 feet (6,073 m).
Of these 50 highest U.S. counties, 34 counties are located in Colorado, four counties in Wyoming, four counties in New Mexico, three counties in Utah, two boroughs in Alaska, and one county each in California, Idaho, and Nevada.
Rank[c] | County.[a][2] | State | Mean elevation[b] | High point[3][d] | Highest elevation[4][5][2][3][e] | Low point[2][f] | Lowest elevation[4][2][e] | Elevation range[g] | High point coordinates[h] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lake County[i] | Colorado | 11,702 feet 3,567 m |
Mount Elbert[8][9][j] | 14,439.6 feet 4,401.2 m |
Arkansas River[k] | 8,965 feet 2,733 m |
5,475 feet 1,669 m |
39°12′N 106°20′W / 39.20°N 106.34°W |
2 | Hinsdale County | Colorado | 11,300 feet 3,444 m |
Uncompahgre Peak[10][l] | 14,315 feet 4,363 m |
Lake Fork Gunnison River | 8,285 feet 2,525 m |
6,030 feet 1,838 m |
37°49′N 107°18′W / 37.82°N 107.30°W |
3 | Mineral County | Colorado | 11,116 feet 3,388 m |
Phoenix Peak[11] | 13,902 feet 4,237 m |
Rio Grande | 8,330 feet 2,539 m |
5,572 feet 1,698 m |
37°40′N 106°55′W / 37.67°N 106.92°W |
4 | San Juan County | Colorado | 11,085 feet 3,379 m |
Vermilion Peak[12] | 13,900 feet 4,237 m |
Animas River | 8,270 feet 2,521 m |
5,630 feet 1,716 m |
37°46′N 107°41′W / 37.76°N 107.68°W |
5 | Summit County | Colorado | 10,936 feet 3,333 m |
Grays Peak[13][14][m] | 14,276 feet 4,351 m |
Blue River | 7,595 feet 2,315 m |
6,681 feet 2,036 m |
39°38′N 106°07′W / 39.63°N 106.12°W |
6 | Alamosa County | Colorado | 10,928 feet 3,331 m |
Blanca Peak[15][n] | 14,351 feet 4,374 m |
Rio Grande | 7,506 feet 2,288 m |
6,845 feet 2,086 m |
37°34′N 105°47′W / 37.57°N 105.79°W |
7 | Saguache County | Colorado | 10,915 feet 3,327 m |
Crestone Peak[16] | 14,300 feet 4,359 m |
San Luis Creek | 7,530 feet 2,295 m |
6,770 feet 2,063 m |
38°05′N 106°17′W / 38.08°N 106.28°W |
8 | Costilla County | Colorado | 10,866 feet 3,312 m |
Blanca Peak[15][n] | 14,351 feet 4,374 m |
Rio Grande | 7,380 feet 2,249 m |
6,971 feet 2,125 m |
37°17′N 105°26′W / 37.28°N 105.43°W |
9 | Park County | Colorado | 10,706 feet 3,263 m |
Mount Lincoln[17][18][o] | 14,293 feet 4,356.5 m |
South Platte River | 7,118 feet 2,170 m |
7,175 feet 2,187 m |
39°07′N 105°43′W / 39.12°N 105.72°W |
10 | Chaffee County | Colorado | 10,658 feet 3,249 m |
Mount Harvard[19][20][p] | 14,421.3 feet 4,395.6 m |
Arkansas River | 6,895 feet 2,102 m |
7,526 feet 2,294 m |
38°45′N 106°11′W / 38.75°N 106.19°W |
11 | Clear Creek County | Colorado | 10,608 feet 3,233 m |
Grays Peak[13][14][q] | 14,276 feet 4,351 m |
Clear Creek | 6,940 feet 2,115 m |
7,336 feet 2,236 m |
39°41′N 105°38′W / 39.69°N 105.64°W |
12 | Rio Grande County | Colorado | 10,402 feet 3,171 m |
Bennett Peak[21] | 13,209 feet 4,026 m |
Rock Creek | 7,595 feet 2,315 m |
5,614 feet 1,711 m |
37°35′N 106°23′W / 37.58°N 106.38°W |
13 | Jackson County | Colorado | 10,353 feet 3,156 m |
Clark Peak[22][23][r] | 12,956 feet 3,949 m |
North Platte River | 7,750 feet 2,362 m |
5,206 feet 1,587 m |
40°40′N 106°20′W / 40.67°N 106.34°W |
14 | Denali Borough[s] | Alaska | 10,348 feet 3,154 m |
Denali[24][t] | 20,310 feet 6,190.5 m |
Nenana River | 385 feet 117 m |
19,925 feet 6,073 m |
63°47′N 150°11′W / 63.79°N 150.19°W |
15 | Conejos County | Colorado | 10,279 feet 3,133 m |
Conejos Peak[25][26] | 13,178 feet 4,017 m |
Rio Grande | 7,380 feet 2,249 m |
5,798 feet 1,767 m |
37°12′N 106°11′W / 37.20°N 106.19°W |
16 | Pitkin County | Colorado | 10,269 feet 3,130 m |
Castle Peak[27][28][u] | 14,278.9 feet 4,352.2 m |
Crystal River | 6,260 feet 1,908 m |
8,019 feet 2,444 m |
39°13′N 106°55′W / 39.22°N 106.92°W |
17 | Ouray County | Colorado | 10,249 feet 3,124 m |
Mount Sneffels[29][30][v] | 14,158.1 feet 4,315.4 m |
Uncompahgre River | 6,340 feet 1,932 m |
7,818 feet 2,383 m |
38°10′N 107°46′W / 38.16°N 107.77°W |
18 | Grand County | Colorado | 10,197 feet 3,108 m |
Pettingell Peak[31] | 13,559 feet 4,133 m |
Colorado River | 6,835 feet 2,083 m |
6,724 feet 2,049 m |
40°06′N 106°07′W / 40.10°N 106.12°W |
19 | Sublette County | Wyoming | 10,190 feet 3,106 m |
Gannett Peak[32][33][w] | 13,809.4 feet 4,209.1 m |
Green River | 6,570 feet 2,003 m |
7,239 feet 2,206 m |
42°46′N 109°55′W / 42.76°N 109.92°W |
20 | Gilpin County | Colorado | 10,120 feet 3,085 m |
James Peak[34] | 13,300 feet 4,054 m |
Clear Creek | 6,940 feet 2,115 m |
6,360 feet 1,939 m |
39°52′N 105°31′W / 39.86°N 105.52°W |
21 | Gunnison County | Colorado | 10,094 feet 3,077 m |
Castle Peak[27][28][u] | 14,278.9 feet 4,352.2 m |
North Fork Gunnison River | 5,910 feet 1,801 m |
8,369 feet 2,551 m |
38°40′N 107°02′W / 38.67°N 107.03°W |
22 | Custer County | Colorado | 10,076 feet 3,071 m |
Crestone East Peak[35][x] | 14,266 feet 4,348 m |
Hardscrabble Creek | 5,885 feet 1,794 m |
8,381 feet 2,555 m |
38°07′N 105°22′W / 38.11°N 105.37°W |
23 | Eagle County | Colorado | 10,068 feet 3,069 m |
Mount of the Holy Cross[36][37][y] | 14,011 feet 4,271 m |
Colorado River | 6,125 feet 1,867 m |
7,886 feet 2,404 m |
39°38′N 106°42′W / 39.63°N 106.70°W |
24 | La Plata County | Colorado | 10,012 feet 3,052 m |
Windom Peak[38][z] | 14,093 feet 4,296 m |
Animas River | 5,930 feet 1,807 m |
8,163 feet 2,488 m |
37°17′N 107°50′W / 37.29°N 107.84°W |
25 | Teller County | Colorado | 9,892 feet 3,015 m |
Devils Playground[39][aa] | 13,075 feet 3,985 m |
Fourmile Creek | 6,710 feet 2,045 m |
6,365 feet 1,940 m |
38°53′N 105°10′W / 38.88°N 105.16°W |
26 | Teton County | Wyoming | 9,790 feet 2,984 m |
Grand Teton[40][41][ab] | 13,775.3 feet 4,198.7 m |
Snake River | 5,804 feet 1,769 m |
7,971 feet 2,430 m |
43°55′N 110°34′W / 43.92°N 110.57°W |
27 | Huerfano County | Colorado | 9,779 feet 2,981 m |
Blanca Peak Tripoint[42][ac] | 14,326 feet 4,367 m |
Cucharas River | 5,232 feet 1,595 m |
9,094 feet 2,772 m |
37°41′N 104°58′W / 37.68°N 104.96°W |
28 | Dolores County | Colorado | 9,721 feet 2,963 m |
Mount Wilson[43][ad] | 14,252 feet 4,344 m |
Spook Canyon | 5,190 feet 1,582 m |
9,062 feet 2,762 m |
37°45′N 108°31′W / 37.75°N 108.52°W |
29 | Archuleta County | Colorado | 9,669 feet 2,947 m |
Summit Peak[44][45][ae] | 13,307.7 feet 4,056.2 m |
Navajo Reservoir[af] | 6,027 feet 1,837 m |
7,278 feet 2,218 m |
37°11′N 107°03′W / 37.19°N 107.05°W |
30 | San Miguel County | Colorado | 9,666 feet 2,946 m |
Wilson Peak[46][ag] | 14,023 feet 4,274 m |
Dolores River | 5,310 feet 1,618 m |
8,713 feet 2,656 m |
38°00′N 108°25′W / 38.00°N 108.41°W |
31 | El Paso County | Colorado | 9,580 feet 2,920 m |
Pikes Peak[47][48][ah] | 14,115.2 feet 4,302.31 m |
Chico Creek | 5,045 feet 1,538 m |
9,070 feet 2,765 m |
38°50′N 104°32′W / 38.83°N 104.53°W |
32 | Boulder County | Colorado | 9,578 feet 2,919 m |
Longs Peak[49][50][ai] | 14,260 feet 4,346 m |
Saint Vrain Creek | 4,895 feet 1,492 m |
9,365 feet 2,854 m |
40°05′N 105°22′W / 40.09°N 105.36°W |
33 | Taos County | New Mexico | 9,524 feet 2,903 m |
Wheeler Peak[51][52][53][aj] | 13,166 feet 4,013 m |
Rio Grande | 5,882 feet 1,793 m |
7,284 feet 2,220 m |
36°34′N 105°38′W / 36.57°N 105.63°W |
34 | Mono County | California | 9,452 feet 2,881 m |
White Mountain Peak[54][55][ak] | 14,252 feet 4,344 m |
Owens River | 4,652 feet 1,418 m |
9,600 feet 2,926 m |
38°05′N 119°52′W / 38.08°N 119.87°W |
35 | Park County | Wyoming | 9,354 feet 2,851 m |
Francs Peak[56][57][al] | 13,158 feet 4,011 m |
Yellowstone River | 5,550 feet 1,692 m |
7,608 feet 2,319 m |
44°29′N 109°34′W / 44.49°N 109.56°W |
36 | Summit County | Utah | 9,352 feet 2,850 m |
Gilbert Peak[58][am] | 13,448 feet 4,099 m |
Weber River | 5,255 feet 1,602 m |
8,193 feet 2,497 m |
40°53′N 110°58′W / 40.88°N 110.97°W |
37 | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | 9,321 feet 2,841 m |
Truchas Peak[59][60][an] | 13,107 feet 3,995 m |
Rio Grande | 5,535 feet 1,687 m |
7,572 feet 2,308 m |
36°31′N 106°42′W / 36.51°N 106.70°W |
38 | Routt County | Colorado | 9,208 feet 2,807 m |
Mount Zirkel[61][ao] | 12,185 feet 3,714 m |
Yampa River | 6,230 feet 1,899 m |
5,955 feet 1,815 m |
40°29′N 106°59′W / 40.48°N 106.99°W |
39 | Duchesne County | Utah | 9,192 feet 2,802 m |
Kings Peak[62][ap] | 13,534 feet 4,125 m |
Ninemile Creek | 4,850 feet 1,478 m |
8,684 feet 2,647 m |
40°17′N 110°26′W / 40.28°N 110.44°W |
40 | Fremont County | Wyoming | 9,184 feet 2,799 m |
Gannett Peak[32][33][w] | 13,809.4 feet 4,209.1 m |
Wind River | 4,558 feet 1,389 m |
9,251 feet 2,820 m |
43°02′N 108°38′W / 43.03°N 108.63°W |
41 | Larimer County | Colorado | 9,176 feet 2,797 m |
Hagues Peak[63][64][aq] | 13,566 feet 4,135 m |
Cache la Poudre River | 4,785 feet 1,458 m |
8,781 feet 2,676 m |
40°40′N 105°28′W / 40.67°N 105.46°W |
42 | Custer County | Idaho | 9,109 feet 2,776 m |
Borah Peak[65][66][67][ar] | 12,668 feet 3,861 m |
Big Lost River | 5,550 feet 1,692 m |
7,118 feet 2,170 m |
44°14′N 114°17′W / 44.23°N 114.29°W |
43 | White Pine County | Nevada | 9,073 feet 2,765 m |
Wheeler Peak[68][69][as] | 13,065.3 feet 3,982.3 m |
Utah border | 5,080 feet 1,548 m |
7,985 feet 2,434 m |
39°26′N 114°54′W / 39.44°N 114.90°W |
44 | Santa Fe County[at] | New Mexico | 9,040 feet 2,755 m |
Santa Fe Baldy[70][71] | 12,627 feet 3,849 m |
Santa Fe River | 5,452 feet 1,662 m |
7,175 feet 2,187 m |
35°31′N 105°59′W / 35.51°N 105.98°W |
45 | Fremont County | Colorado | 9,028 feet 2,752 m |
Bushnell Peak[72][73] | 13,111 feet 3,996 m |
Arkansas River | 4,945 feet 1,507 m |
8,166 feet 2,489 m |
38°28′N 105°26′W / 38.47°N 105.44°W |
46 | Colfax County | New Mexico | 9,017 feet 2,748 m |
Little Costilla Peak[74] | 12,589 feet 3,837 m |
Canadian River | 5,445 feet 1,660 m |
7,144 feet 2,177 m |
36°37′N 104°38′W / 36.61°N 104.64°W |
47 | Yakutat Borough | Alaska | 9,004 feet 2,744 m |
Mount Saint Elias[75][au] | 18,008 feet 5,489 m |
Gulf of Alaska | sea level | 18,008 feet 5,489 m |
59°33′N 139°44′W / 59.55°N 139.73°W |
48 | Piute County | Utah | 8,982 feet 2,738 m |
Delano Peak[76][77][av] | 12,174 feet 3,711 m |
Sevier River | 5,790 feet 1,765 m |
6,384 feet 1,946 m |
38°20′N 112°08′W / 38.34°N 112.13°W |
49 | Las Animas County | Colorado | 8,978 feet 2,736 m |
West Spanish Peak[78][aw] | 13,631 feet 4,155 m |
Purgatoire River | 4,324 feet 1,318 m |
9,307 feet 2,837 m |
37°19′N 104°02′W / 37.32°N 104.04°W |
50 | Montezuma County | Colorado | 8,920 feet 2,719 m |
Hesperus Mountain[79][ax] | 13,237 feet 4,035 m |
San Juan River | 4,602 feet 1,403 m |
8,635 feet 2,632 m |
37°20′N 108°36′W / 37.34°N 108.60°W |
44°58′02″N 103°46′18″W / 44.9672°N 103.7716°W