“Experience the stunning solitude of the desert”
Great Basin National Park sits in the shadow of 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, 5,000 year old bristlecone pine trees grow on rocky glacial moraines. Come to Great Basin National Park to experience the solitude of the desert, the smell of sagebrush after a thunderstorm, the darkest of night skies, and the beauty of Lehman Caves. Far from a wasteland, the Great Basin is a diverse region that awaits your discovery. The story of the Great Basin is not just one of geology and landforms, but also of people. This region has been home to American Indians for thousands of years. In more recent times, farmers and ranchers, Mormons and sheepherders, all called the Great Basin home.Within Great Basin National Park, a representive piece of this massive region, stories of people and of places abound. Humans have left their mark here, too; from the Fremont Indians, who lived in Snake Valley, to Absalom Lehman, discoverer of Lehman Caves, to the mining camps that at one time dotted the South Snake Range. Remnants of former times are abundant. They are worthy of preservation as much as any natural feature, as they are invaluable links to the past. The Great Basin Visitor Center is located on Nevada State Route 487 in the town of Baker. The Lehman Caves Visitor Center is located on Nevada State Route 488. It is 5.5 miles (8.9 km) from Baker, Nevada, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) inside the park boundary. Both centers feature exhibits about the park's geology, natural and cultural history, as well as theaters with orientation films
One of America's most underrated national parks. Loads of hiking trails and lots of campsites. Though it's important to note that the campsites are primitive camping (none of that fancy cabin stuff you city folk like). :) Camping is also first come first serve, so get there early. There's a great cave tour and some of the best stargazing in America. There's no fee to enter the park, but the cave tour has a fee, and you need to book ahead. Good place to bring kids, as the hiking is pretty easy.
Stay at one of five developed campgrounds with tent pads and fire rings, or really rough it at the one primitive campground.
• +1 775 234 7331, nps.gov. Developed sites are $15 a night and primitive sites are free. All sites are first-come, first-served, no reservations accepted. Lower Lehman Creek is open year round and the rest from May through October
One of the least visited National Parks in the 48, this is one of my favorites. This is a park that has a lot of neat, natural attractions without the crowds. "Half the Park is after dark" is a poster I have above my son's crib and it's true. My first visit to the park included a guided tour of Lehman Caves and then a Ranger-led night sky program in the VC parking lot with volunteers and their telescopes. I couldn't believe the amount of natural light just from the stars. With fewer people also comes better personal connections with the park resources, including animals (view from a safe distance). The Bristlecone Pines are a national treasure and always worth seeing when the roads are clear. Don't pass up on this park.
Well worth the drive into the park. Nice cave tour and very helpful personnel. Beautiful views up the scenic drive.
Great dark sky park for contemplating the Milky Way
Gorgeous. More of a stop thru if you’re not huge on hiking but stunning.
A completely beautiful park. Bristlecone pines in the Great Basin are absolutely awe inspiring. Dogs are not allowed on trails so do NOT bring them.
We went out just after a light dusting of snow. Some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen! All the leaves were changing colors so there were these shimmering golden trees against the mountain in the background. The long distance views were incredible
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Great Basin National Park
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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