Top Mountains in Nevada

Despite its desert reputation, Nevada is the most mountainous state in the contiguous US by number of named ranges — over 300 separate ranges running north-south across the Basin and Range province. The peaks are far less visited than those of neighboring states.

Boundary Peak (13,147 ft)
The highest point in Nevada, on the Nevada-California border in the White Mountains near Benton, California. The summit requires a 8-mile round trip from the trailhead at Queen Mine. The terrain is alpine tundra above 11,000 feet; the summit views stretch across the Great Basin to the east and toward the White Mountains of California to the west. Boundary Peak is among the least-visited state high points in the US — typically only a few hundred summits per year.

Wheeler Peak (13,063 ft)
The highest peak entirely within Nevada, in Great Basin National Park near Baker. The Wheeler Peak Summit Trail (8.6 miles round trip) passes through ancient bristlecone pine forests at 11,000 feet. The bristlecones — some over 4,000 years old — are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Wheeler Peak Glacier, just below the summit, is one of the southernmost glaciers in the US (barely surviving climate change). The summit views across the Great Basin — range after range stretching 200 miles — are extraordinary.

Charleston Peak (11,918 ft)
Also called Mount Charleston, the highest point in the Spring Mountains above Las Vegas. The Spring Mountains rise 8,000 feet above the Las Vegas valley floor — an island of ponderosa pine and aspen forest in the Mojave Desert. The summit is accessible from the Las Vegas metro via the Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon approach roads. Mount Charleston Resort offers skiing 50 minutes from the Strip.

Ruby Dome (11,387 ft)
The highest point in the Ruby Mountains — the "Alps of Nevada" — in Elko County. The Rubies rise abruptly above the Elko Valley and Lamoille Canyon, which is a glacial U-valley of exceptional beauty. Heli-skiing in the Ruby Mountains is world-class in winter.