Great Basin National Park

Things To Do

Overview | Climate /Map | Description | Things To Do | Camping /Lodging | Nearby

During snow season, allow at least half a day to visit Lehman cave and explore the Visitor Center. The roads to higher levels of the park are usually closed in the Winter. During Summer, allow at least a full day to explore the park, two to three days if you enjoy hiking and exploring backcountry roads.

Caving

Lehman Caves Tours are limited to 30 per tour. Holiday weekend cave tours often fill early in the day. Tickets for cave tours may be purchased when you arrive in the park or by phone. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 775-234-7331 x242 no more than 30 days prior to the day you wish to tour the cave. Advanced sale tickets may NOT be made the day of your tour. Advance sale tickets must be paid for by Visa or Mastercard, and there are no refunds. Golden Age and Golden Access passport holders must have card numbers when purchase is made in order to receive discount. Passport must also be presented when tickets are picked up.

Auto Tours

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive upper section is usually closed in the winter and provides good views of the range. Beginning near the park entrance, it leaves Lehman Creek to climb across a dry shoulder of the mountain, ending near the tree line. In 12 miles, it gains 3,400 feet in elevation, passing through a variety of habitats: from pinyon-juniper woodlands, along a creekbed lined with aspen trees, through a zone of shrubby Mountain Mahogany and Manzanita, into deep forests of Englemann Spruce and Douglas Fir, to the flower-spangled meadows and subalpine forest of Limber Pine, spruce, and aspen at the Wheeler Peak Campground.

Snake Creek

Hiking & Backpacking

Hiking opportunities abound in the park. Easy to moderate trails lead to alpine lakes and a Bristlecone Pine forest. More strenuous is a climb up Wheeler Peak, the park's highest point. Drive the road to the base of Wheeler Peak; from there, follow easy to moderate trails to alpine lakes and the Bristlecone pine forest.

The backcountry backpacking opportunities abound, but there are few maintained trails. Routes generally follow ridge lines or valley bottoms.

The summit of Mt. Wheeler, elev. 13063', in Great Basin National Park

For a longer visit climb Wheeler Peak; visit the glacier; or explore one of the other canyons in the park. Snake Creek flows all year through aspen groves beneath limestone outcroppings. Or visit Lexington Arch in the south end of the range At the park's north end, Strawberry Creek runs through stands of aspen trees and open meadows.

Plan Ahead: Bushwhacking through Mountain Mahogany can be arduous -- or impossible. Topographic maps, advice and information on current conditions are available at the Visitor Center. Backcountry registration is strongly recommended.

Other Activities

Hunting is prohibited; firearms must be cased and unloaded.

Fishing requires a Nevada fishing license; state regulations apply.

Horseback riding is permitted on some trails.

Mountain biking is allowed only on designated motor vehicle roadways. The park has meres of dirt roads; check with a ranger about which are open.

Snake Creek Road

Motorized vehicles used on park roads, and their operators, must be licensed in their state of residence. All park roads except Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive are unpaved and infrequently traveled. Along the way are many pleasant picnic sites with good views of the broad basin to the east. Get directions and ask about road conditions at the visitor center.

Overview | Climate /Map | Description | Things To Do | Camping /Lodging | Nearby