Denali in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Denali or Mt. McKinley?
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, 2026
1. Denali or Mt. McKinley? Marker
Denali or Mt. McKinley?
Like the clouds that often enshroud it, the question of what to call North America’s tallest peak has loomed over it for more than a century.
Tempestuous Beginnings
An Athabascan story tells of their first ancestor creating Denali while in battle. He turned his enemies’ ocean waves of anger into mountains. The largest he named Denali, meaning “high one.” The next largest (Mt. Foraker) he named Denali Be’ot, meaning “wife” of Denali. Begguya (Mt. Hunter) is their child.
Contention and Stalemate
William Dickey, a gold rush reporter, renamed Denali in 1896 in honor of presidential candidate William McKinley, a proponent of Dicky’s favorite issue, the gold standard. After President McKinley’s assassination in 1901, Mt. McKinley became the mountain’s official name. Over the years, many Alaskans and mountain climbers lobbied to change the name back to Denali, and in 1975, the Alaska legislature officially requested the change. For 38 years, representatives from McKinley’s home district in Ohio successfully blocked the request.
Resolution
In 2001, the Alaska Historical Commission committed
this page online
Mt. Foraker, also known as Denali Be’ot, lies 15 miles south of the “high one.” It’s the sixth highest peak in North America and is 17,400 ft. high. Mt. Hunter, also known as Beguya, stands at an impressive 14,574 ft. of elevation. Denali, also known as Mt. McKinley, is North America’s highest peak at 20,310 ft. high.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Features.
Location. 62° 35.565′ N, 150° 14.448′ W. Marker is in Denali, Alaska, in Matanuska-Susitna Borough. It can be reached from Parks Highway. Marker is on the west side of the highway,Denali Viewpoint South, at the
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, July 24, 2026
2. Denali or Mt. McKinley? Marker Wide View
Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor, in the Athabascan Region, in the Mat-Su Valley, and in Southcentral Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tall Mountain, Taller Tales (a few steps from this marker); Walter Harper (approx. 2.4 miles away); wolves find room to roam (approx. 2½ miles away); Luscombe Silvaire (approx. 2½ miles away); Alaska's Bush Pilots (approx. 2½ miles away); Cliff Hudson (approx. 2½ miles away).
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, July 24, 2026
3. View from the Overlook (Denali hidden by clouds)
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, July 24, 2026
4. Mural at the overlook - left side
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, July 24, 2026
5. Mural at the overlook - right side
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 21, 2026, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
