Great Basin National Park

🥾

High

Altitude risk

🪧

Entrance fee

🏕

5 areas

Campgrounds

📍

5 stops

Landmarks

🌙

Gold tier

Dark sky

⛰️

13,063 ft

Wheeler Peak

🥾High-Altitude Hiking Safety13,063 ft summit▾

⛰️ Great Basin has one of the largest elevation ranges of any national park — the valley floor sits around 5,000 ft while Wheeler Peak tops out at 13,063 ft. The summit trail climbs well above treeline with no shelter from sun, wind, or lightning. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast in summer — start before sunrise and be off the exposed ridgeline by early afternoon. Watch for symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness) and turn back if they appear; there is no quick descent from the upper mountain. NPS safety info ↗

Quick Stats

Valley Floor~5,000 ft

Wheeler Peak Summit13,063 ft

Summit Trail~8.6 mi RT

Nearest FuelBaker, NV

🪧Park Entrance & Cave ToursNo fee · ticketed caves▾

Main Access No Entrance Fee

NV-487, off US-50 near Baker, NV

Great Basin is one of the few national parks with no entrance fee at all. It's also one of the most remote — reached via US-50, "The Loneliest Road in America."

💡 There is no gas station inside the park. Fill up at Baker Sinclair in Baker, NV before heading in — it's the only fuel for miles.

NPS directions ↗

Lehman Caves Ticketed Tours

Guided tours only, timed entry

The cave itself is only accessible on a ranger-led tour — no self-guided entry. Tickets sell out in summer; book ahead on Recreation.gov.

💡 Tour temperature stays around 50°F year-round — bring a light jacket even in summer.

Book cave tours ↗

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive Seasonal

12 mi, roughly June – October

Climbs from the valley floor to nearly 10,000 ft near the Wheeler Peak trailhead. Closes with the first heavy snow and reopens once plowed in early summer.

💡 Check current road status before you go — closure timing varies year to year with snowpack.

NPS road status ↗

Lehman Caves Tour Tickets

Gothic Palace (30 min)$8 / $4

Lodge Room (60 min)$12 / $6

Parachute Shield (60 min)$12 / $6

Grand Palace (90 min)$15 / $8

Wild Caving (3 hrs)$40

Adult / Youth · Senior & Access Pass 50% off

🏕Campgrounds5 areas▾

Lower Lehman Creek Year-Round ▾

Sites9

Elevation~7,300 ft

Price$20/night

NotesOnly campground open all year

Book on Recreation.gov ↗

Upper Lehman Creek Reservable in Season ▾

Sites23

Elevation~7,500 ft

Price$20/night

NotesPeak-season reservations, first-come off-season

Book on Recreation.gov ↗

Wheeler Peak Seasonal · High Elevation ▾

Sites37 (26 RV)

Elevation~10,000 ft

Price$20/night

NotesCloses as early as September with snow

Campground details ↗

Baker Creek First-Come, First-Served ▾

Sites37

NotesNo advance reservations — arrive early on weekends

Campground details ↗

Grey Cliffs Standard & Group Sites ▾

Sites16 standard + 4 group

Price$20 standard / $30 group

Campground details ↗

📍Landmarks & Trailheads5 stops▾

Lehman Caves & Visitor Center Area2 stops▾

Lehman CavesGuided tour only · marble cave, ticketed30–90 min tours

Mountain View Nature TrailEasy · loop near visitor center~30 min

High Country & Wheeler Peak2 stops▾

Wheeler Peak TrailStrenuous · summit, 13,063 ft~8.6 mi RT

Bristlecone Pine TrailModerate · some of the oldest trees on Earth2.8 mi RT

Remote & Backcountry1 stop▾

Lexington ArchRemote · limestone arch, rough access roadHigh-clearance rec.

Stream Flow1 gauge▾

Lehman Creek near Baker, NV

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Gauge HeightLoading…

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🌙Stargazing & Night SkyGold tier▾

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Great Basin is an International Dark Sky Park, Gold Tier — the highest designation — and home to the Great Basin Observatory, the only research-grade observatory inside a US national park. The park hosts an annual Astronomy Festival each September plus regular ranger-led night-sky programs. Best on new-moon nights — bring a red flashlight to preserve night vision, and dress warm even in summer, as high-elevation nights get cold fast. NPS night sky info ↗

🍽️Concession Information2 locations▾

🏪 Great Basin is one of the least-visited parks in the lower 48, and services are minimal — the small town of Baker, NV just outside the park has a gas station, a couple of restaurants, and a general store if you need supplies beyond what's listed here.

Lehman Caves Visitor Center2 locations▾

WNPA Bookstore & Gift ShopBooks · Maps · GiftsYear-round

Seasonal CaféLight fareMay–mid Oct · 8 AM–3 PM

NPS goods & services info ↗

Park Contact Information

📞 Phone: (775) 234-7331 · Mailing Address: 100 Great Basin National Park, Baker, NV 89311 · Official NPS contact page ↗