Here are my top finds for Great Basin & Ely Nevada (Closest sizable city):
🏨Hotels: La Quinta Inn & Suites Ely, Hidden Canyon Retreat
📍Tours: 2- Day Private Adventure of Great Basin NP, Lehman Cave Tours, Ride the Star Train!, Great Basin National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Things to know before your visit to Great Basin National Park
Nevada's only designated National Park lies in Northern Nevada's rugged and remote Great Basin. Its remoteness significantly reduces the crowds you often see in other Western National Parks. Rest assured that there are plenty of things to do in Great Basin National Park!
In 1922, President Harding proclaimed Lehman Caves a National Monument.
In 1986, Great Basin National Park was established and Lehman Caves National Monument was incorporated into the park
Things to do in Great Basin National Park
Most people have the impression that Nevada is nothing but a desert and have images conjured in their heads of Las Vegas, slot machines, and showgirls.
In reality, outside of Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada has very few residents with large open landmasses. In fact, 84.9% of Nevada is federal public lands where you can not only find desert, you can also find incredible lush forests, mountains, lakes, and even a glacier!
In my opinion, the pinnacle of Nevada is Great Basin National Park. This park is located in a very remote area of central Nevada and part of the adventure is just getting here.
Just remember that sometimes you find the best things in life on the road less traveled and Great Basin National Park is no exception.
The park sits on an area of great scenic beauty in the smaller half of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, in eastern and northern Nevada.
The forested slopes of the South Snake Range are comprised of a mountainous landscape. Wheeler Peak, the highest point of the range at 13,063 feet (3,982 meters), is perpetually covered with snow and ice.
Plan an early start and a full day to explore the park especially if it is your first time visiting.
Visit Lehman Caves Visitor Center
The Lehman Caves Visitor Center is located 5.5 miles from Baker, Nevada. Here you can read interpretative displays, watch the park movie, and get tickets for Lehman Cave Tours.
This is a great time to get brochures and ask the rangers any last-minute questions you may have about weather forecasts, hiking trails, interpretative, night skies, and astronomy programs.
The Lehman Caves Visitor Center is open year-round with seasonal hours and may have temporary closures due to weather. They are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Youcan call ahead for current hours at (775)234-7510.
Inside the visitor center are a café and a gift shop. The café is open (May to mid-October) from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (8 am - 3 pm Monday - Saturday), and closes for the winter. This is good to remember because there are limited services in the park as well as in Baker.
Lehman Cave Tours
Located directly behind the park's visitor center is the entrance to Lehman Cave. Be prepared as you can only enter this cave by a guided Lehman Caves tour and advance reservations are recommended. There is a small fee for the tour but I would highly recommend it for any first-time visitor.
There are three types of tours offered:
Gothic Palace-accessible.
This tour is 30 minutes, and .1 mile with no steps and is considered an accessible hike. This tour takes you into the first room of the cave (Gothic Palace) and is only 30 minutes of the regular Grand Palace Tour and is available for those unable to negotiate the stairs and narrow passageways of the tour route. It is limited to 5 individuals per tour. They cannot be booked in advance but please inquire about these at the Visitor Center.
Grand Palace Tour
The tour is 90 minutes, .54 miles long has 69 steps, and is considered a moderate hike. Park visitors will get to visit the Gothic Palace, the Music Room, the Lodge Room, the Inscription Room, and the Grand Palace sections of Lehman Caves, including a chance to view the famous Parachute Shield formation.
Lodge Room Tour
The tour is 60 minutes, .4 miles long has 69 steps, and is considered a moderate hike. This tour is ideal for families with young children. The Lodge Room Tour highlights the Gothic Palace, Music Room, and Lodge Room sections of Lehman Caves.
Lehman Caves has several formations including stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, flowstone, and popcorn. The real attraction is the 300-plus rare shield formations. Caves are very fragile ecosystems and visitors should not touch any of the formations and stay on designated paths. You will also be screened Park visitors will be screened for White Noise Syndrome which is a disease in bats that was only discovered in 2007.
The elevation at the cave entrance is 6,825 ft. The temperature in the cave stays a constant 50 degrees Fahrenheit year-round so a light jacket is recommended. It is recommended to wear shoes with good traction as trails may be wet and slippery. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The only items visitors may bring in the cave with them are a hand-held camera, jacket, and flashlight. All other items, including purses, backpacks, strollers, tripods, camera bags, food, water, tobacco, gum, and pets are not allowed.
Park Ranger John Pro Tip
Did you know that Great Basin National Park has a cave system of 40 caves in the park? Great Basin has a Wild caving program where park visitors can, upon completion of a Wild Cave and Karst Management Plan, explore seven wild caves that are open to recreational use in the Park under a permit system.
Check out the park's webpage for detailed information on the wild caving program.
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is a breathtaking 12-mile drive climbing 4,000 feet to the face of Wheeler Peak at over 10,000 feet in elevation!
Along the way, you will have incredible views of the Great Basin, pass several plant communities, and potentially see lots of wildlife! I saw numerous mule deer, turkeys, and rabbits on my last trip up Wheeler Peak.
Don't miss the epic views from Wheeler Peak Overlook and Mather Overlook.
There are great interpretive signs at the overlooks that explain the diverse ecosystems within the park, including the alpine forest, and how the trees and animals survive in such harsh conditions.
This scenic road is open seasonally, depending on the snow they receive. The road is typically open by Memorial Day Weekend. Vehicles and trailers over 24 feet in length are not permitted beyond the Upper Lehman Creek Campground (mile marker 3).
Explore the Great Basin National Park Night Sky
Not only is Great Basin an International Dark Sky Park, but it also has some of the darkest skies in the lower 48! This makes for excellent opportunities to go stargazing.
Many things can be seen with the naked eye or with a pair of binoculars, including things like the Andromeda Galaxy, the Milky Way, stars, satellites, and more!
The reason for this is that the Great Basin area has some of the darkest night skies due to its low humidity, minimal light pollution, and high elevation, creating an ideal opportunity to look into our universe.
There are several ways to enjoy the night sky, including
* enjoy at your campsite
* Check out a free Ranger-Led Astronomy Program (Typically May through September)
* attend the Annual Astronomy Festival (September)
* Rode the Great Basin Star Train!
Ride the Great Basin Star Train
This is truly an unforgettable National Park Bucket List experience! The Star Train is located approximately one hour north of Great Basin National Park in Ely, Nevada.
The Nevada Northern Railway Museum operates several different train rides each year, including a 90-minute train ride up toward the Ruth mine, pulled by a vintage locomotive, A Rock'n Rollin' Geology Train, A Haunted Ghost Train, Santa's reindeer flyer, the winter steam spectacular, and in cooperation with the National Park Service, the Star Train.
Once a month during the summer months, the Star Train takes off for an exclusive engagement where visitors get to talk with National Park Interpretative Rangers from Great Basin National Park about the night skies.
Rangers will test your knowledge of astronomy and point out constellations, stars, planets, and even the Milky Way!
The highlight of the trip is stepping off the train onto a platform lit up with red lanterns with telescopes set up by the park rangers as visitors take their turn looking through them.
Before you know it, it will be time to board the train and head back to the Ely train station.
Check out our Great Basin Star Train trip report of our experience riding the train.
Great Basin National Park Hiking
There are several hiking trails to choose from in Great Basin National Park, including the Mountain View Nature Tail, Sky Island Forest Trail, Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, and Wheeler Peak Trail.
Most hikes start at higher elevations, so visitors should take their time to avoid elevation sickness.
I decided to camp overnight to help myself get more acclimated to the elevation before taking on my favorite hike in the park, the Glacier Trail.
The Glacier Trail includes hiking to one of the three Bristlecone Pine Groves and Rock Glacier.
You also get to see beautiful alpine lakes, ancient Bristlecone Pines (The major reason Great Basin became a National Park), incredible views of Great Basin, Teresa Lakes, and the only glacier in Nevada nestled below Wheeler Peak!
This is a 4.6-mile roundtrip out-and-back hike that starts at 9800 feet in elevation and climbs 1,100 feet in elevation gain. This hike is not for the unprepared.
People in good physical condition will find this hike challenging as elevation sickness is real and oxygen is harder to come by in high elevation. Be prepared to take extra breaks to catch your breath.
Enjoy the moment, as the scenery is outstanding!
Bristlecone Pine trees are the oldest living things on earth living over 5000 years! They look tough and rugged and manage to live in some of the most severe living conditions in western forests between 5600'-11,200' in elevation.
You continue past the Bristlecone Pine forest to Nevada's only glacier at the base of Wheeler Peak. It is Nevada's second-highest peak at 13063' and provides incredible views.
Bring plenty of water, check weather conditions, and be prepared for a high-altitude hike!
Popular trails include the Stella Lake Trail, Baker Lake Trail, Mountain View Nature Trail, and Sky Island Forest Trail.
Horseback Riding is allowed in the backcountry of Great Basin National Park. Specific regulations for riding in the park include having certified weed-free hay.
Rock Climbing - the installation of climbing bolts, bolt hangers, pitons, and other permanent hardware is prohibited. Climbing is not permitted within 100 feet of any archeological, cultural, or historic site.
Check with the visitor center before heading out for current regulations.
Camping at Great Basin National Park
There are several campgrounds to choose from when you visit Great Basin National Park.
The Baker Creek Campground and the Grey Cliffs Campground (Group camping) are located near the Lehman Caves Visitor Center.
There are also three campgrounds as you climb the 12-mile scenic Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, including Lower Lehman Creek Campground, Upper Lehman Creek Campground, and Wheeler Peak Campground. I stayed at the Upper Lehman Creek Campground to help acclimate to the elevation.
For those wanting to really get away from the crowds, check out the Snake Creek Campgrounds located along the Snake River and nestled among Aspen Groves and limestone cliffs.
Picnic tables are available at each campsite. Camping in Great Basin is one of the best ways to truly experience this epic park!
Foraging for Pine Nuts
The singleleaf pinyon (The only species of Pine Tree in the continent with single needles) is an abundant tree found in mixed stands with Utah juniper between 6,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation. The nuts produced by the singleleaf pinyons are amazing.
They have been an essential staple for Native Americans and animals to survive. The pine nuts commonly purchased in gourmet food stores are typically those of the Colorado pinyon, but the single-leaf pinyon nuts are just as good.
Fishing
Great Basin NP allows fishing but visitors must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the state of Nevada.
Popular fishing locations include Lehman Creek and Baker Creek. Fish include brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
Great Basin Pictograph Caves
The Pictograph caves are easy to miss if you are not paying close attention. To get there, leave the Leahman Caves Visitor Center and take a right onto Baker Creek Road (approximately ¼ mile past the visitor center).
Drive two miles until you see the sign for Grey Cliffs. Take a right, then another right when you come to the T in the road. The caves will be on the left-hand side of the road, but you will need to pay attention and drive slowly.
Notice that you can walk up to the caves but are not allowed inside them. It's okay, though; you can take good photographs standing outside the caves.
The pictographs depict people, animals, and abstract images. I have personally seen much nicer pictographs in the southwest, so I wouldn't make this a priority on your trip unless you are really into rock art.
Great Basin National Park Guided Tours & Activities
Great Basin National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 5-7 Hours | 🚗🎧 Check Rates and Availability
Powered by Shaka Guide, this GPS-triggered audio tour is the ideal companion for independent visitors exploring one of America's least-visited and most underrated national parks. Narration fires automatically as you reach each stop, covering Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, the Bristlecone Pine Trail, the Baker Archaeological Site, the Alpine Lakes Loop, and more across 14 stops. Priced per group for up to 15 passengers and works fully offline once downloaded, which matters here since cell service inside the park is limited.
Great Basin National Park: 2-Day Private Adventure
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (38 TripAdvisor reviews)| ⏳ Tour Length: 2 days | 🏔️🦇 Check Rates and Availability
The most thorough Great Basin experience available through Viator, this fully private two-day tour from BeUTAHful Tours departs from Salt Lake City and covers the park's crown jewels across two full days. Day one puts you on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive with time for hiking and dark sky viewing at one of the most certified dark sky parks in the country. Day two goes underground with a guided visit to Lehman Caves, followed by the Baker Archaeological Site, one of the best-preserved ancient Fremont culture sites in the Great Basin. Pickup available throughout the Salt Lake City area.
Click here to find more tours and activities in Nevada.
Where to stay when visiting Great Basin National Park
There are no National Park Lodges in Great Basin NP. There is lodging nearby in Baker, Nevada. The majority of lodging for Great Basin NP can be found in Ely, Nevada about an hour from the park.
⭐️ 4.9 of 5 Stars - Hidden Canyon Retreat - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The premier place to stay near Great Basin National Park, a one-of-a-kind retreat tucked 6.5 miles down a dramatic desert canyon just 30 minutes from the park entrance, rated Exceptional by nearly every guest who stays here!
The 11 apartment-style rooms and suites feature full kitchenettes stocked with cookware, large sitting areas, satellite TVs, private patios, air conditioning, and complimentary bikes for exploring the canyon. After dark, the property turns off all exterior lights at 9:30 PM so guests can experience some of the darkest and most jaw-dropping stargazing skies in the American West. Wild turkey, mule deer, golden eagles, and cutthroat trout call the canyon home year-round, and two orchards dating to the 1850s shade the property. A seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub, game room with ping pong and foosball, BBQ grills, picnic area, on-site minimart, and complimentary welcome drink round out the experience. Note that cell service and WiFi are very limited, making this the perfect place to truly unplug. Open year-round!
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - La Quinta Inn and Suites, Ely - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The cleanest, most comfortable full-service hotel in Ely and a refreshing smoke-free haven in a state full of casino smoke, sitting just 70 miles from Great Basin National Park on the Loneliest Road in America!
Start each morning with a free hot Bright Side Breakfast featuring fresh waffles, eggs, sausage, fruit, and more, and wind down each evening at the nightly free manager's reception in the lobby next to a cozy indoor fireplace. All 73 rooms and suites feature microwaves, mini-fridges, pillowtop beds, flat-screen TVs with premium channels, and free WiFi, with mountain views from select rooms. Additional amenities include a heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, 24-hour business center, coin laundry, free parking, elevator, and ADA accessible rooms. Pet friendly with no pet fee, open year-round!
Click on this link or the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near the Great Basin.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/6ad384d4dd2d6b34acd2c171Great Basin National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Great Basin National Park does not charge an entrance fee!
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional information about Great Basin National Park
- Great Basin National Park - Our epic guide includes everything you need to know to visit the best places in the park.
- Things to do Great Basin National Park
- Great Basin National Park Camping Guide
- Great Basin Star Train
- Great Basin Star Train Trip Report
Great Basin is one of the least visited National Parks in the United States.
National Park sites near Great Basin National Park
- Cedar Breaks National Monument (152 miles away)
- Bryce Canyon National Park (188 miles away)
- Zion National Park (196 miles away)
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument (206 miles away)
- Capitol Reef National Park (245 miles away)
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (319 miles away)
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area (333 miles away)
State Park Sites Near Great Basin National Park
- Cave Lake State Park (Nevada) (62 miles)
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park (Nevada) (56 miles)
- Antelope Island State Park (Utah) (286 miles)
- Valley of Fire State Park (Moapa Valley, NV) (286 miles)
- Goblin Valley State Park (Hanksville, Utah) (300 Miles)
Make sure to check out all of the Nevada National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Oregon, National Parks in Idaho, Utah National Parks, California National Parks, and Arizona National Parks and make a National Park road trip!
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