North America’s Highest Peak Has Been Renamed … Sort Of
On Monday, January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Alaska’s 20,310-foot Denali, the highest peak in North America. Donald Trump’s decision to revert the name of North America’s highest peak back to “Mount McKinley” sparked a heated debate and drew attention to the intersection of politics, history, and public lands. The executive order reversed an earlier decision by the Obama administration in 2015 to rename the peak Denali, its indigenous name for thousands of years.
Here’s a deeper look at how this change came about and what it means for the legacy of the peak.
America’s Highest Peak, Denali: A Tale of Two Names
Denali, standing at 20,310 feet, is the highest peak in North America. The mountain was renamed after William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, by a prospector named William Dickey in 1896. The decision to honor McKinley was made in the context of the presidential election at the time, as McKinley was a prominent figure in American politics. McKinley was assassinated while president five years later.
However, the mountain had long been known by its indigenous name, “Denali,” which means “The High One” in Koyukon, a language spoken by the native people of Alaska. The name Denali had been used by Alaska Natives for centuries, long before McKinley’s election and the mountain’s Western naming.
Obama’s Decision: Reversing The Naming of Denali
In 2015, during his administration, President Barack Obama moved to officially change the name of the peak back to Denali. The name change was seen by many as a symbolic gesture of respect toward Alaska’s native people, acknowledging the mountain’s indigenous roots. This decision was also supported by Alaskan lawmakers and local indigenous groups, who had been campaigning for the change for years.
Obama’s action was met with a mix of approval and resistance. Supporters saw it as a necessary correction of an honor that was historically imposed without considering the cultural significance of the native name. Opponents, including some Alaskan Republican politicians, saw it as unnecessary interference and a move to erase American history.
Trump’s Reversal: The Return of Mount McKinley
Trump’s reversal of Obama’s decision was seen by some as an attempt to restore what they viewed as the historical and patriotic naming of the peak. His decision was particularly celebrated by those who believed that the mountain should be a lasting tribute to President McKinley, a Republican leader who was seen as having a major impact on the country.
However, the decision was met with frustration and disappointment by many indigenous groups, environmentalists, historians & mountain climbers who feel that the mountain’s indigenous name had more cultural and historical significance.

The Debate: What Does This Mean for the Legacy of Denali?
The argument over the name of Mount McKinley/Denali ultimately speaks to the larger conversation about the power of naming and the role of history in shaping our understanding of the past.
Supporters of the Denali name argue that it represents the original heritage of the region and that returning the name to Denali was a way of honoring the indigenous communities who had been living in the area for thousands of years. They see it as a necessary step toward addressing historical injustices and a recognition of the cultural significance of the land.
On the other hand, those who advocated for keeping the name Mount McKinley contend that it’s an important part of American history and should be respected as a symbol of national pride. They argue that names, especially those of natural landmarks, can be fluid and reflect the historical context in which they were given.
Denali Will Be A Continued Symbol of Controversy
Ultimately, the debate over the name of the highest peak in North America reflects the ongoing struggle to reconcile different cultural narratives in the United States. Whether one views Mount McKinley or Denali as the correct name depends largely on one’s perspective, and the question of whose history gets to be remembered continues to shape modern discourse.
As time passes, and administrations change, the naming of the mountain is likely to evolve. This issue is more than just a matter of geography—it’s a matter of identity, history and a glaring sign of our divided nation. Whether Mount McKinley or Denali, the mountain stands as a symbol of both American pride and the ongoing efforts to preserve and respect the longstanding cultures of Alaska.
“It’s worth mentioning that the President suggested doing this about six years ago,” says Mark Westman, a former ranger on the mountain. “He was told by Alaska’s two (current) senators—not to do that. The name Denali reflects a local cultural heritage here that predates the United States,” Westman says. “The name McKinley was an arbitrary name given for someone who had never even set foot here. He was from Ohio.”
On Monday, January 21, Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, released a statement: “Our nation’s tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by the Alaska Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial.”
Conclusion – The Mountain Is Big and Old Enough
Dave Hahn of RMI Mountain Guides, who has ascended the peak 25 times, said that the mountain is “big enough to handle however many names you want to throw at it.” And while we clearly prefer Denali, this is where we also lie on the naming issue.
I will offer this anecdote. There is a popular beach bar in my neighborhood. It opened 1971 and was called Critters for twenty years. In 1999 one of the owners died. The bar was sold and re-opened as North End. Cut to present day, twenty five years later, the locals still call it Critters, most of whom have never stepped foot in there when it was called Critters … like myself.
This issue would not even make a Top 20 list of what the indigenous people want (and need) from the American government. But it sure would be a nice gesture to call the mountain by its real name. But in the end it’s not a big deal, as Dave Hahn said. Call it whatever you like, but if you want to be down with the locals, you call it Denali or The High One 🙂 .
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