Way out on the eastern edge of Nevada, Great Basin National Park boasts a surprising array of natural features and attractions that you might not expect from the desert. Climb the 13,064-foot Wheeler Peak, go underground with a tour the Lehman Caves, visit the ancient Bristlecone pine groves, or hike to a natural arch in this expansive park that rises from high desert to high alpine summits. Where the desert meets the mountains, Great Basin offers plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors whether you're camping, hiking, backpacking, sightseeing, climbing, or horseback riding.
The nearest town to Great Basin National Park is tiny Baker, Nevada, 5 miles east. To the west lies Ely, Nevada, another little city 70 miles away. Great Basin's off-the-beaten-path location just might be its biggest asset, making it easy to beat the crowds and find solitude.
Take America's loneliest highway, U.S. 50, to access this remote park, where you'll be pleasantly surprised to find no entrance fees, no backcountry permits required, and a complete escape from the usual national park crowds. About a four-hour drive from Salt Lake City, the park offers over 60 miles of hiking trails that lead you from fields of sagebrush to alpine lakes, peaks, and Nevada's only remaining glacier.
Make sure to check the National Park Service website for operating hours and current conditions or potential closures.
Hiking The main attractions in Great Basin National Park include viewing the Bristlecone pine groves, hiking to the top of Wheeler Peak or taking a tour of the Lehman Caves. There are over 60 miles of developed hiking trails in Great Basin National Park ranging from .3 miles along the Mountain View Nature Trail to 13.1 miles through the Baker Lake/Johnson Lake Loop, and from 6,825 to 10,160 feet above sea level.
Scenic Drive
Don't miss the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, a 12-mile paved road that ascended the South Snake Mountain Range before stopping just above treeline at more than 10,000 feet. Traveling through several different ecological zones, you'll get the opportunity to view area wildlife right from the window of your car. Watch for deer, marmots, coyotes, and jackrabbits. Bring binoculars to view the many bird species that span the park's wide-ranging elevations.
The recommended hiking season at Great Basin National Park is typically limited to the months of June through September because many trails are at elevations of 9,000 feet or higher and covered in snow outside of the summer months. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is not plowed and may not open until mid-June, weather depending.
Keep in mind that gravel roads that lead to the remote southern section of the park are impassable until late spring. Four-wheel drive is required on some of these roads, especially when wet. Find full access information on the National Park Website.
This may be one of the easiest National Park trips you could ask for. Day hikers are asked to sign in at trailhead registers and permits are not required for backcountry camping although registration is strongly encouraged.
Pets are not allowed in the backcountry or on trails. There is one exception, leashed pets are allowed on the Lexington Arch Trail, a day-use only area.
