Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada, encompassing part of the Great Basin, one of the largest desert basins in the United States. The park is situated in White Pine County, about 290 miles north of Las Vegas and 80 miles west of the Utah border.

The area that is now Great Basin National Park has a rich historical background. Native American groups, such as the Shoshone and Paiute tribes, have inhabited the region for thousands of years, relying on the diverse plant and animal resources found there. In the 19th century, European American settlers began exploring the area, seeking wealth in mining and agriculture. The park's Lehman Caves, discovered in the 1880s, attracted early tourism and played a significant role in the park's establishment.

Today, Great Basin National Park offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunities and unique attractions. One of the main highlights is Lehman Caves, a limestone cave system that features stunning formations, underground chambers, and guided tours for visitors wishing to explore its depths. Wheeler Peak, the park's highest point at over 13,000 feet, attracts hiking enthusiasts with its various trails, including the popular Glacier Trail. This trail leads to a glacier formation, the only one in Nevada.

Additionally, visitors can explore the park's ancient bristlecone pine groves. These ancient trees, some over 4,000 years old, dot the rugged landscape and provide a glimpse into the distant past. The park is also renowned for its stargazing opportunities, as it boasts some of the darkest night skies in the country, making it a designated International Dark Sky Park.

For those seeking nearby attractions, the town of Baker, located just outside the park, offers amenities such as lodging, restaurants, and a visitor center. The nearby Snake Valley and Spring Valley are also worth a visit, showcasing the region's unique geography and offering opportunities for outdoor activities like birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

Great Basin National Park provides a captivating experience for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and stargazers alike. With its diverse landscapes, ancient caves, and rich historical background, it offers visitors a chance to explore and appreciate the unique wonders of the Great Basin region.

Great Basin National Park is situated in the splendid state of Nevada, occupying a prominent spot in the eastern part of the state. Nestled within the expansive Great Basin Desert, the park encompasses an area of breathtaking natural beauty. With its elevation ranging from 5,000 to 13,000 feet, the park boasts a diverse landscape that includes towering mountain peaks, picturesque valleys, ancient bristlecone pine forests, pristine alpine lakes, and fascinating limestone caverns. Great Basin National Park's geographical location is characterized by its remoteness and isolation, away from busy urban areas, offering visitors a tranquil escape into the captivating wilderness of the Great Basin region.

Address & Contact

Lehman Caves Visitor Center
Nevada 488
Baker, NV 89311
Driving Directions
Phone: 775-234-7331
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Great Basin National Park would be in June or September. In June, the average maximum temperature is 78°F with a minimum temperature of 50°F, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The average monthly precipitation is low at 0.5 in, providing dry conditions. Additionally, visitor numbers are relatively high during this month. In September, the temperature is still pleasant with an average maximum of 74°F and a minimum of 48°F. Precipitation remains low at 0.8 in. September also sees a high average visitor count, ensuring a lively but not overcrowded experience.

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Great Basin National Park are: Astronomy Stargazing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs Biking Road Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) Hiking Fishing Backcountry Hiking Hunting and Gathering Skiing Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Snowshoeing Group Camping RV Camping Dining Gathering and Foraging Caving Horse Camping (see also camping)

Topics

Learn about these topics at Great Basin National Park: Animals Birds Caves, Caverns and Karst Night Sky Astronomy

Visitor Centers

Lehman Caves Visitor Center

Phone: (775) 234-7510 Lehman Caves Visitor Center is located 5.5 miles up from the town of Baker, NV. At this visitor center visitors can plan their visit, purchase cave tour tickets, watch the park movie, and explore exhibits about the caves and the darkness of Great Basin National Park.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Lehman Caves Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Great Basin National Park

Baker Creek Campground

Baker Creek Campground contains 37 campsites. All sites are available, when the campground is open (seasons permitting), on a first-come-first-served basis. Potable water is not available.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Nightly Fee)
Total Campsites: 37
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Dump Station

No overnight camping allowed. Dump Station is for dumping garbage and RV sewage.
Fees (US$): 10.00 (Dump Station Fee)
Toilets: Composting Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Grey Cliffs Campground

For visitors to Great Basin National Park, Grey Cliffs Campground is an ideal place to setup and start exploring. Experience the solitude of the desert, the smell of sagebrush after a thunderstorm, the darkest of night skies, and the beauty of Lehman Caves.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Nightly Fee), 30.00 (Nightly Group Fee)
Total Campsites: 16
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Lower Lehman Creek Campground

Among the lush green vegetation which hugs Lehman Creek, you'll secure your tent or park your RV within earshot of clear mountain water which has tumbled 3000 vertical feet from the lakes and snowfields of the high Snake Range. Naturally landscaped with red-barked water birch, aspen and white fir a stroll through this sky island ecosystem provides for great bird-watching or a cooling dip in the stream while placing you just minutes from spectacular Lehman Caves.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Nightly Fee)
Total Campsites: 11
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Snake Creek Primitive Campgrounds

Make yourself at home in the Snake Creek Campsites along the Snake Creek River, located on the south-eastern side of the park. These sites are nestled among Aspen groves and at the base of impressive limestone cliffs. Sites to choose from include, Monkey Rock, Squirrel Springs, Pinnacles, Eagle Peak. The Shoshone and Johnson Lake trail sites are a short 0.5 mile hike from the parking lot at the end of the Snake Creek Road.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Camping Fees)
Total Campsites: 12
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Upper Lehman Creek Campground

Whether you prefer the rich smell of summer mahogany riding air currents blended with the vanilla of ponderosa pine, or the sound of a clear mountain stream babbling beneath a symphony of swaying white fir, you won't regret your stay at Upper Lehman Creek Campground. At 7500 feet in elevation and 3 miles up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive a stay at Upper Lehman Creek is just a brief cruise from high alpine trails that will take you into the heart of the Snake Range.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Nightly Fee)
Total Campsites: 23
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Wheeler Peak Campground

Located at 9,886 feet above sea level, Wheeler Peak Campground offers a great experience camping at altitude - in fact, it's one of the highest-elevation developed campgrounds in the entire National Park System! Nestled in aspen groves in the shadow of Wheeler Peak, temperatures can be cold even during the summer. Potable water is not available.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Nightly Fee)
Total Campsites: 37
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Hotels within or near Great Basin National Park

Hidden Canyon Retreat

With a stay at Hidden Canyon Retreat in Baker, you'll be 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Great Basin National Park and 22.4 mi (36 km) from Lehman Caves. The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 2000 Hidden Canyon Pkwy., PO Box 180, Baker, Nevada 89311
Web: Link