Mountain Range

Great Plains summits

Named peaks, snowpack stations, streamflow gauges and watersheds in the Great Plains. Built for climbers, hikers, anglers, paddlers, and anyone curious about how the range is faring this season.

Named summits
3
Highest peak
8,182ft
SNOTEL stations
1
USGS gauges
6
Open the Great Plains on the map Every peak, gauge, and SNOTEL station overlaid on terrain.
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May
19
2026
Range overview
The Great Plains Mountain Range, also known as the Llano Estacado, covers parts of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. The range has a rich history, with Native American tribes using the area for hunting and trading. Notable peaks in the range include Capulin and Raton in New Mexico, and Pikes Peak in Colorado. The highest peak in the range is Mount Elbert in Colorado, standing at 14,440 feet. The range has significant hydrology, with the Arkansas, Canadian, and Red Rivers all flowing through the area. Interesting facts about the Great Plains Mountain Range include the fact that it is the largest mountain range in the United States that is not a part of the Rocky Mountains and that it was formed by an uplifted plateau that was eroded by wind and water.
Great Plains at a glance

Range-wide overview

The Great Plains in four data points -- summits, climate stations, and water-flow coverage.

Highest peak

Mount Capulin 8,182 ft

Most prominent named summit in the range.

Average elevation

Across 3 summits 5,252 ft

Mean of every named peak Snoflo tracks here.

Climate stations

SNOTEL + USGS gauges 1 + 6

Real-time snowpack and streamflow coverage.

Watersheds drained

HUC sub-basins touched 3

Hydrologic sub-basins the range feeds.

Summit inventory

Great Plains named peaks

Every named summit Snoflo tracks in the Great Plains, sorted by elevation. Elevation is heat-mapped to highlight the alpine zone. Tap any peak for its full report.

3 peaks
Peak Elevation
Mount Capulin 8,182 ft
Devils Tower 5,112 ft
Mount Scott 2,464 ft
Climate signal

Snowpack & streamflow in the Great Plains

Live readings from every SNOTEL station and USGS streamgauge feeding the range's drainages.

SNOTEL snowpack

Station Snowpack SWE Elev
Gillette 4se · · 4,531ft

USGS streamflow

Gauge Flow Gage Elev
Belle Fourche R Bl Rattlesnake C Nr Piney Wy 0.00 cfs 1.44ft 4,542.0ft
Donkey Creek Near Gillette, Wy 0.08 cfs 0.46ft 4,461.0ft
Stonepile Creek At Mouth, Near Gillette, Wy 3.3 cfs 0.31ft 4,461.0ft
Belle Fourche River Below Moorcroft, Wy 5.49 cfs 1.51ft 4,101.0ft
Cimarron River Near Kenton, Ok · 4.77ft 4,282.0ft
East Cache Creek Near Walters, Ok 22.9 cfs 4.52ft 965.0ft
Outdoor recreation

What to do in the Great Plains

Climbing, hiking, fishing, paddling, and more -- everything Snoflo tracks for the range.

Mountain activities

1. Hiking: The Great Plains mountain range offers numerous hiking trails that cater to all skill levels. Popular hikes include the Black Elk Peak Trail in South Dakota, which leads to the highest point in the range, as well as the Hanging Lake Trail in Colorado, known for its stunning turquoise lake.

2. Mountain biking: The mountainous terrain of the Great Plains provides excellent opportunities for mountain biking. Trails like the Monarch Crest Trail in Colorado offer thrilling descents and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

3. Rock climbing: The Great Plains mountain range is home to many world-class rock climbing areas, such as the Needles in South Dakota and Vedauwoo in Wyoming. These areas offer challenging routes for climbers of all abilities.

4. Camping: The Great Plains mountain range is a popular destination for camping enthusiasts. Campgrounds like Sylvan Lake Campground in South Dakota offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to hiking and biking trails.

5. Fishing: The mountain streams and lakes of the Great Plains are ideal for fishing. Popular fishing spots include Lake McConaughy in Nebraska, known for its walleye and catfish, and the Gunnison River in Colorado, famous for its trout fishing.

6. Wildlife viewing: The Great Plains mountain range is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, elk, and black bears. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy spotting these animals in their natural habitats while hiking or camping in the area.
FAQ

About the Great Plains

How many named peaks are in the Great Plains?

Snoflo tracks 3 named summits in the Great Plains. The highest is Mount Capulin at 8,182 feet.

Where does the elevation data come from?

Peak elevations are pulled from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Snoflo's named-summit registry. Snowpack readings come from the NRCS SNOTEL network; streamflow from USGS gauges in the range's drainages.

Are these all walk-up summits?

No. The list ranges from drive-up overlooks to technical alpine objectives. Tap any peak for its full report, route notes, and trip-planning data. Always check weather, avalanche, and trip-report sources before heading out.

How often is the data updated?

Peak elevation is static reference data. Snowpack and streamflow readings refresh continuously from the NRCS and USGS public feeds throughout the day.

Can I get alerts for stations in this range?

Yes. Save any SNOTEL station or USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (snowpack inches, discharge cfs), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

Explore more ranges

Beyond the Great Plains

Browse every mountain range Snoflo tracks across the U.S.

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