Mountain Range

North American Plains summits

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

Named summits
22
Highest peak
8,182ft
SNOTEL stations
14
USGS gauges
52
Open the North American Plains on the map Every peak, gauge, and SNOTEL station overlaid on terrain.
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May
20
2026
Range overview
The North American Plains Mountain Range is a collection of mountains spanning from Canada to the United States. These mountains are historically important for the indigenous tribes that once inhabited the region. Notable peaks of the mountain range include Mount Elbert, Longs Peak, and Pikes Peak. Mount Elbert is the highest peak in Colorado, with an elevation of 14,440 feet. Longs Peak is known for its vertical rock face and challenging hiking trails. Pikes Peak is famous for inspiring the song "America the Beautiful." The mountain range's hydrology is significant, with major rivers such as the Missouri and Arkansas running through the region. Interesting facts include the fact that the area was once home to massive herds of bison and played a significant role in the expansion of the railroad in the United States.
North American Plains at a glance

Range-wide overview

The North American 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 22 summits 4,009 ft

Mean of every named peak Snoflo tracks here.

Climate stations

SNOTEL + USGS gauges 14 + 52

Real-time snowpack and streamflow coverage.

Watersheds drained

HUC sub-basins touched 15

Hydrologic sub-basins the range feeds.

Summit inventory

North American Plains named peaks

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

22 peaks
Peak Elevation
Mount Capulin 8,182 ft
Harney Peak 7,242 ft
Mount Marcy 5,344 ft
Mount Rushmore 5,275 ft
Algonquin Peak 5,114 ft
Devils Tower 5,112 ft
Haystack 4,960 ft
Colden 4,714 ft
Two Buttes Mountain 4,705 ft
Bear Butte 4,426 ft
Cascade 4,098 ft
Piedmont Butte 3,882 ft
Wallface Mountain 3,727 ft
Hurricane Mt 3,694 ft
Mount Magazine 2,753 ft
Chimney Mountain 2,721 ft
Mount Scott 2,464 ft
Eagle Mountain 2,301 ft
Rattlesnake Butte 2,284 ft
Mount Arvon 1,979 ft
Timms Hill 1,952 ft
Spirit Mound 1,279 ft
Climate signal

Snowpack & streamflow in the North American 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
Indian Lake · · 1,650ft
Custer · · 5,558ft
Hill City · · 4,987ft
Hot Springs · · 3,547ft
Elm Springs 3ese · · 2,680ft
Belle Fourche - Kbfs Radio · · 3,022ft
Fort Meade · · 3,330ft
Hereford 12sw 4.0 in · 2,799ft
Fort Yates 13.0 in 3.562 in 1,644ft
Centerville,Sd · · 1,280ft
Howard · · 1,565ft
Big Bay 9sw · · 1,467ft
Big Bay 1nw · · 778ft

USGS streamflow

Gauge Flow Gage Elev
Jump River At Sheldon, Wi 674.0 cfs 4.71ft 1,109.0ft
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 5.78 cfs 1.53ft 4,101.0ft
Cimarron River Near Kenton, Ok · 4.77ft 4,282.0ft
Bouquet River At Willsboro Ny 437.0 cfs 3.25ft 218.0ft
E Br Ausable River At Au Sable Forks Ny 454.0 cfs 2.37ft 552.0ft
Ausable River Near Au Sable Forks Ny 1090.0 cfs 2.74ft 508.0ft
Little Ausable River Near Valcour Ny 89.0 cfs 1.66ft 251.0ft
Salmon River At South Plattsburgh Ny 95.7 cfs 1.58ft 237.0ft
Hudson River At North Creek Ny 1620.0 cfs 4.15ft 1,011.0ft
Indian River Near Indian Lake Ny 63.6 cfs 1.16ft 1,622.0ft
Hudson River Near Newcomb Ny 439.0 cfs 2.95ft 1,565.0ft
East Cache Creek Near Walters, Ok 18.9 cfs 4.42ft 965.0ft
Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd 0.75 cfs 2.87ft 3,065.0ft
Fall R At Hot Springs Sd 36.5 cfs 0.82ft 3,430.0ft
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd 5.06 cfs 4.14ft 3,161.0ft
Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd 90.2 cfs 2.54ft 2,820.0ft
Beaver Creek Near Pringle, Sd 4.78 cfs 8.05ft 4,140.0ft
Outdoor recreation

What to do in the North American Plains

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

Mountain activities

1. Hiking: The North American Plains mountain range offers numerous hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. Popular hikes include the Continental Divide Trail, the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park, and the Longs Peak Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape, wildlife sightings, and the opportunity to challenge themselves physically.

2. Mountain biking: The mountainous terrain of the North American Plains provides great opportunities for mountain biking enthusiasts. Trails like the Monarch Crest Trail in Colorado, the Maah Daah Hey Trail in North Dakota, and the Teton Pass in Wyoming offer thrilling descents, technical challenges, and beautiful scenery for bikers to enjoy.

3. Rock climbing: The North American Plains mountain range is home to numerous rock climbing destinations for climbers of all skill levels. Popular spots include the Black Hills of South Dakota, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, and Eldorado Canyon in Colorado. Climbers can test their skills on a variety of routes, from beginner-friendly to advanced.

4. Camping: Camping in the North American Plains mountain range is a popular outdoor activity for those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. Campgrounds like Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, and Many Glacier in Glacier National Park offer stunning views, access to hiking trails, and the chance to experience the beauty of the mountains up close.

5. Fishing: The North American Plains mountain range is home to numerous rivers, lakes, and streams that offer great fishing opportunities. Anglers can try their luck at catching trout, salmon, and other freshwater fish in locations like the Snake River in Wyoming, the Madison River in Montana, and the Colorado River in Colorado. Fishing in these scenic settings provides a relaxing and rewarding outdoor experience.
FAQ

About the North American Plains

How many named peaks are in the North American Plains?

Snoflo tracks 22 named summits in the North American 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 North American Plains

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

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