Great Basin National Park Photo: Famartin / CC BY-SA 3.0
United States › Nevada

Great Basin National Park

ByWilderness Experts

Great Basin is one of America’s quietest and most surprising parks, a lonely mountain island rising from the Nevada desert, crowned by 13,000-foot (4,000 m) Wheeler Peak and ancient bristlecone pines, honeycombed below by the ornate Lehman Caves, and roofed by some of the darkest skies on the continent. Far from any city, it rewards the long drive with solitude and startling variety.

Fast facts

  • Established: 1986
  • Size: about 77,000 acres (310 km²) in east-central Nevada
  • High point: Wheeler Peak, 13,065 feet (3,982 m)
  • Living history: bristlecone pines among the oldest trees on Earth
  • Dark sky: a certified International Dark Sky Park
  • Managed by: National Park Service

The landscape

The park climbs from sagebrush desert through pinyon-juniper and aspen to subalpine forest and a small glacier below Wheeler Peak, compressing many life zones into one mountain. Ancient bristlecone pines cling to the heights, alpine lakes hide in glacial cirques, and beneath the surface the marble Lehman Caves are draped in rare shield and helictite formations.

Best time to go

Summer and early fall are prime, when the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is open and the high trails are clear of snow; fall adds golden aspen. Snow lingers at elevation into summer and closes the high road much of the year. Winter is cold and quiet, with the caves open year-round at their constant temperature.

Getting there and around

The park sits near the Utah border via US-50, “the loneliest road in America”, and NV-488, with tiny Baker as the gateway. A vehicle is essential; the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive climbs to trailheads near 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in season, and services in the area are minimal, so fuel and supply up first.

Things to do

Tour the Lehman Caves on a ranger-led walk, hike to the bristlecone grove and the glacier or up Wheeler Peak, and stroll to the alpine lakes. Drive the scenic road for the views, camp at high elevation, and stay for the ranger astronomy programs under exceptionally dark skies.

Staying safe

Altitude affects visitors quickly here. Pace yourself, hydrate, and watch for afternoon lightning on the exposed peak. Snow can linger on high trails into summer, the caves demand care and warm layers, and the remote desert setting means you should carry water, fuel and supplies and be ready to self-rescue.

Know before you go

There is no entrance fee, but Lehman Caves tours are ticketed and sell out, so reserve ahead. Check the scenic drive’s seasonal status. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, tour availability and road status with the National Park Service before your trip.

Navigation
Coordinates
38.9416, -114.2443
Magnetic declination
11.2° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

39 places in Great Basin National Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it.

On the trail 22

Trailheads

Campgrounds

Picnic site

Sights 17

Viewpoints

Point of interests

Peaks 10

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeWeekend backpackingCave toursScenic driveStargazing
Terrain
AlpineMountainsForestDesert
Key hazards
High altitudeAfternoon lightning above treelineSnow into early summerCave hazardsRemote desert with few services
Best seasons
Summer, Early fall
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
In east-central Nevada near the Utah line via US-50 and NV-488; Baker is the tiny gateway town. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive climbs high into the range (seasonal).
Water
Streams and developed areas have water; carry water and treat backcountry sources.
Cell / satellite coverage
Little to no cell service. Carry a map and share your plans.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Contact park rangers; life-threatening emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
No entrance fee; Lehman Caves tours are ticketed and sell out, and backcountry camping is free but requires self-sufficiency.
Leave No Trace
Do not touch cave formations or bristlecones, stay on trails, pack out all waste, and follow Leave No Trace.
Conditions by month

September This month

Average high73°F(23°C)
Average low48°F(9°C)

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Great Basin National Park station, 2 miles (3 km) away at 6,850 feet (2,088 m). Conditions change with elevation: expect it colder higher up.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-07-21