The range forms a generally east-west arc with its northernmost part in the center, and from there trending southwest towards the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutians, and trending southeast into the Pacific Coast Ranges.

The Alaska Mountains act as a high barrier to the flow of moist air from the Gulf of Alaska northwards, and thus has some of the harshest weather in the world. The heavy snowfall also contributes to a number of large glaciers, including the Black Rapids, Canwell, Castner, Eldridge, Kahiltna, Muldrow, Ruth, Susitna, Tokositna, and Yanert Glaciers.

Four major rivers cross the Range, including the Delta River, and Nenana River in the center of the range and the Chisana and Nabesna Rivers to the east.

The range is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the Denali Fault that runs along the southern edge of the range is responsible for a number of earthquakes. Mount Spurr is a stratovolcano located in the northeastern end of the Aleutian Volcanic Arc of Alaska, USA which has two vents, the summit and nearby Crater Peak.

Denali (20,310 feet/6,190.5 m), Mount Foraker (17,400 feet/5,304 m), Mount Hunter (14,573 feet/4,442 m), Mount Hayes (13,832 feet/4,216 m), Mount Silverthrone (13,218 feet/4,029 m), Mount Moffit (13,020 feet/3,970 m), Mount Deborah (12,339 feet/3,761 m), Mount Huntington (12,240 feet/3,730 m). Mount Brooks (11,890 feet/3,624 m), Mount Russell (11,670 feet/3,557 m).

Central Alaska Range/Denali Massif, Delta Mountains, Eastern Alaska Range/Hayes Range, Kichatna Mountains, Mentasta Mountains, Neacola Mountains, Nutzotin Mountains, Teocalli Mountains, and Revelation Mountains