Great Basin National Park
Best Time to Visit
Though the park is open year-round, I prefer to visit in summer or fall due to accessibility. Moreover, winter and spring have their own advantages.
Summer
Summer is the warm season. The high temperature can be 85°F and the low can be 55°F. It is the peak season, so the park remains busy. Note that the risk of thunderstorms is in the evening. Therefore, plan your visit or hike as early as possible in the daytime. Don’t miss the stargazing opportunity. You may witness the Milky Way in the Continental US.
Fall
The park is less crowded at this time, so you can explore more and enjoy your vacation in a quieter environment. The aspen trees reflect yellow and golden colors, making the season outstanding. Hence, the locals love to visit the park in fall.
Winter
If you are a person who loves snow, then winter is the best time to visit the park. There you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. During heavy snowfall, the scenic road is closed, limiting access. You may also spot some wildlife as some roads remain open to share.
Things to Know about the Park
- Location: Eastern Nevada
Established: October 27, 1986
Area: 77,180 acres
Visitors: 144,875 (2021)
Management: National Park Service
Nearest City: Ely, Baker, Border
Name of Trails
Alpine Lake Loop Trail
Mountain View Natural Trail
Sky Island Forest Trail
Osceola Ditch Trail
Bristlecone Trail
Bristlecone and Glacier Trail
Lexington Arch Trail
Lehman Creek Trail
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail
Baker Lake Trail
Johnson Lake Trail from Snake Creek
Main Attractions of the Park
Wheeler Peak Overlook
Though Great Basin National Park has numerous places to visit, Wheeler Peak Overlook is the most iconic among them. The viewpoint is just 9 miles up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The view of Wheeler and Doso Doyabi peaks is stunning. You can witness a variety of wild species such as bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, elk, coyotes, red and grey foxes, and yellow-bellied marmots from there.
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
While visiting Great Basin National Park, don’t miss the scenic drive to the top of Wheeler Peak. It is 13,065 feet tall, which is the tallest mountain in the South Snake Range. You need to start from the park boundary via Highway 488 to cover 12 miles to reach 4000 feet of elevation. Through the drive, you cross over distinct ecological zones, and the view of the Great Basin Desert from the peak is breathtaking.
Mather Overlook
The name Mather Overlook is well known in the US National Park System. It is actually named after Stephen Mather, who was the first-ever director of the National Park Service. All the Mather Overlooks in the US National Park System are beautiful, but this one is incredible. The mountain peak and the desert basin below attract most of the visitors. Moreover, there is a platform with a viewfinder to spot wilderness from there.
Lehman Caves
If you are a person who wants to explore the mystery of cave systems, then you are going to love this spot. It is the longest cave in the state of Nevada and one of the largest in the United States. From old times, the park service system has conducted guided tours for visitors. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the tour, you have to book it as the place is only accessible by the ranger-guided tour for safety. There are two different tours: one is the Lodge Room, and the other is the Grand Palace tour in summer, but in winter, only the Lodge Room tour is possible. Make sure to take your reservation in advance.
Magical Grove
Magic Grove is eventually named by the ranger due to its huge area and ancient tree species. It is actually the Bristlecone Pine Natural Area located on Mount Washington. The place is prominent for the age of the trees and their spectacular view. They have a fascinating twisted feature. The trees can survive in a harsh environment. Due to high elevation, cold temperature, and high winds, their growth is slow, making them dense. They become resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and erosion.
Alpine Lake Loop Trail
Alpine Lakes Loop Trail is one of the best trails in the park. It gives you the opportunity to discover forests and meadows. Starting from the valley floor, the trail leads you to the gorgeous mountains, forests of aspens and pines, and the crystal-clear lake. The entire loop is 2.7 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 450 feet.
Things to Do List
- Scenic Drive
- Tour Lehman Cave
- Visit Alpine Lake
- Visit Bristlecone Pine
- See Nevada’s Only Glacier
- Climb Wheeler Peak
- Hiking
- Stargazing
- Attending Astronomy Programs
- Photography
- Learn the history of the Area
- Camping
How to Get to Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada, right before the border of Utah. It is actually in the center of the Great Basin Desert. The nearest major airports are Cedar City Regional Airport in Cedar City and Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City. If you are planning your journey by car and coming from the west region, like northern California or Reno, then you need to cross “the loneliest road in America.”
Accommodations
The only option to stay within the park is the campground. There are five developed campgrounds in the park. Every campground provides vault toilets, picnic tables, tent pads, and campfire grills. Each site can accommodate 8 people with three tents and one vehicle. However, there are no hookups.
- Lower Lehman Creek Campground
- Upper Lehman Creek Campground
- Wheeler Peak Campground
- Baker Creek Campground
- Grey Cliffs Campground
RV and Camping Outside the Park
- Whispering Elms Motel, Campground & RV Park
- The Border Inn
- Hidden Canyon Guest Ranch
- Ely KOA
Where to Eat
- Cafe at Lehman Caves Visitor Center
- Sandra’s Mexican Food
- Sugar Salt & Malt Restaurant
Pros and Cons of Visiting the Park
Pros
- Visiting Mountainous Regions
- Visiting the Only Glacier in Nevada
- Diversity of Species
Cons
- No Hotel within the Park
- Proposed Coal Fired Power Plant
Achievements
Great Basin National Park has some unique features like ancient bristlecone pine trees, huge wildlife, beautiful lakes and streams, and limestone caves that include Lehman Caves. The entry cost is free, but you have to pay to stay at the campground and to visit the Lehman Cave. There are also some prominent trails and overlooks to explore. However, people who want to enjoy driving can go on the scenic drive. Lastly, I want to say the park has something for every travel lover. So, to grab the opportunity, just plan to visit there.
