National park · United States
Great Basin National Park
Go only if you are already driving US-50 or I-15: one full day covers Lehman Caves, the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and the Bristlecone Trail; skip it if your trip is Las Vegas or Salt Lake City only, since the nearest airport is 142 mi away.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
312 km²120 sq mi
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Jun–Jul, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 312 km²120 sq mi
- About 77,180 acres of the southern Snake Range (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Jun–Jul, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Great Basin National Park protects one mountain range in east-central Nevada: a 13,000 ft peak, a marble cave, a grove of the oldest trees on earth, and a glacier. There is no town inside it and no public transport to it. Almost everyone arrives by car, sleeps in Baker or at a campground, and spends one or two days. The park is quiet by western-park standards, but the cave tours and the campgrounds still sell out on summer weekends.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1986.
Size and age
312 km²120 sq mi · national park since 1986
About 77,180 acres of the southern Snake Range (check).
Why go
- Wheeler Peak, 13,063 ft, is the second-highest point in Nevada and the road climbs most of the way to it.
- The Bristlecone Trail reaches a grove of Great Basin bristlecone pines, some over 4,000 years old.
- Lehman Caves is a decorated marble cave with ranger-led tours that need booking in summer.
- Wheeler Peak Glacier is one of the few glaciers left in the Great Basin, at the end of a hard trail.
- Dark skies: the park is far from any city, so the Milky Way is visible on clear nights.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanWheeler Peak road closed by snow; cave tours limited
- FebCold, snow; most facilities shut
- MarSnow lingers; lower trails may open
- AprMud and snowmelt; campgrounds mostly closed
- MayCampgrounds open mid-month; snow above 9,000 ft
- JunWarm days, wildflowers; afternoon storms start
- JulAll trails open; book cave tours ahead
- AugMonsoon thunderstorms most afternoons
- SepClear, cool; best all-round month
- OctAspens turn; nights below freezing
- NovRoad may close after snow; few services
- DecWinter access only to the lower canyon
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer in the canyons and campgroundsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Great Basin bristlecone pines (trees, not animals)Jun–Oct · The grove is the reason most people walk the trail. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Golden eagles and other raptors over the ridgesApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflowers on the lower slopesJun–Jul · Peak bloom depends on snowmelt. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Aspen colour on the scenic driveOct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Las Vegas
I-15 north, then US-93 and US-50/6 to NV-487 south to Baker, then NV-488 west.
4.5–5 h
Open the page →
From Salt Lake City
I-15 south, then US-6 and US-50 west to NV-487 to Baker.
4–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Cedar City, Utah
UT-21 north through Milford and Garrison, becoming NV-487; turn west at Baker.
2.5–3 h
From Ely, Nevada
US-50 west to NV-487 south to Baker, then NV-488 west.
1.5 h
From Baker, Nevada
NV-488 west 5 mi to the park entrance and visitor center.
10 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Baker Creek and the entrance road | Visitor center, Baker Creek campground, lower canyon trails. | Paved; open year round. |
| Lehman Caves area | Cave entrance, Lehman Caves Visitor Center, Upper and Lower Lehman Creek campgrounds. | Paved; cave by tour only. |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | 12 mi of paved road climbing to the Wheeler Peak trailheads and campground. | Open roughly June to October, weather permitting; closed by snow. |
| Snake Creek and Strawberry Creek | Remote dirt-road valleys on the east side with free primitive camping. | Rough dirt; high-clearance vehicle recommended. |
| Wheeler Peak Wilderness backcountry | High ridges, alpine lakes and the glacier. | Foot only; register at a visitor center. |
Sketch map
- 1Great Basin Visitor Center (Baker) · Headquarters≈39.015, -114.127North of Baker on NV-487.Map ↗
- 2Lehman Caves Visitor Center · Gate≈39.006, -114.220Cave tickets and park information.Map ↗
- 3Lehman Caves entrance · Cave≈39.006, -114.221Map ↗
- 4Wheeler Peak trailhead · Trail≈38.996, -114.297Top of the scenic drive, about 10,000 ft.Map ↗
- 5Bristlecone grove · Trail≈38.992, -114.309Map ↗
- 6Wheeler Peak summit · Summit≈38.986, -114.314Map ↗
- 7Baker, Nevada · Town≈39.013, -114.123Map ↗
- 8Baker Creek Campground · Sleep≈38.986, -114.242Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee at this park (check current NPS listing). |
| Lehman Caves tour, adult | US$10–15 | person | 2026 estimate; price varies by tour length. |
| Lehman Caves tour, child or senior | US$5–10 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Developed campground, per night | US$15–20 | site | 2026 estimate; reduced when water is off. |
| Primitive campground (Snake, Strawberry Creek) | Free | site | Free; no water, mostly no toilets. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | Not needed here for entry, but covers other parks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Lehman Caves tour permit or guide
Backcountry camping no permit
Climbing no permit
Park rules
- No entrance fee
- The park charges no entry fee; cave tours and camping are paid separately.
- Cave protection
- Do not touch formations; no food, drink or bags on the cave tour beyond what the ranger allows.
- Bristlecone wood
- Do not collect dead wood or pine cones from the grove.
- Camping
- Camp only in designated campgrounds or, in the backcountry, away from water and trails; no permits, but register.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided grills and rings; check fire restrictions before lighting anything.
- Drones
- Launching drones is not allowed in the park (check current rules).check
- Pets
- Allowed in campgrounds and on roads, not on trails or in the backcountry.
Where to stay
Near the park
Baker, Nevada
Small motels and lodges 5 mi from the entrance; the only real base.
Near the park
Hidden Canyon Retreat
Basic lodging in a canyon south of Baker.
In the park
Lower Lehman Creek Campground
The only year-round campground, 11 sites, water in summer only.
In the park
Upper Lehman Creek and Baker Creek Campgrounds
Larger campgrounds open mid-May to September, first-come first-served.
In the park
Snake Creek and Strawberry Creek
Free primitive sites on rough dirt roads, open year round.
Near the park
Ely, Nevada
Full services and supermarkets about 1.5 h west.
Safety
Altitude medium
Afternoon thunderstorms high
Flash floods in dry washes medium
Remoteness high
Winter road conditions medium
Accessibility
- The Great Basin Visitor Center in Baker and the Lehman Caves Visitor Center are accessible.
- The park film and exhibits are accessible; some cave tours are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Three campgrounds have accessible sites; the scenic drive has paved pullouts.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish; there is little waste service in the park.
- Stay on trails in the bristlecone grove, where the soil is fragile and roots are exposed.
- Use refill stations instead of buying bottled water; creek water must be treated.
- Keep the dark skies: use red-light torches at night and shield outdoor lights.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Great Basin National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee for the park itself. You pay only for extras: Lehman Caves tours (about $10–15 per adult, 2026 estimate), developed campgrounds (about $15–20 per night) and any lodging in Baker. An America the Beautiful pass is not needed here, though it covers entry at parks that do charge.
What are the best hikes in Great Basin National Park?
For most visitors the Bristlecone Trail (about 2.8 mi round trip) and the Alpine Lakes Loop (about 4.6 mi) are the two best value walks, both starting at the top of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. Wheeler Peak summit (about 8.6 mi, 2,900 ft of gain) and the Wheeler Peak Glacier trail are full-day hard routes. All of them start near 10,000 ft, so allow for altitude.
When is the best time to visit Great Basin National Park?
September is the best all-round month: the Wheeler Peak road is usually open, afternoons are clear and nights are cold. June and July are also good but bring afternoon thunderstorms. The scenic drive and high trails are normally closed by snow from November to May, when only the lower canyon and cave area are reachable.
Do I need to book Lehman Caves in advance?
In summer, yes. Tours are ranger-led and sell out on weekends and holidays. Reserve online up to about 30 days ahead, or try the Lehman Caves Visitor Center for same-day tickets. Tours range from about 60 to 90 minutes.
Can I get there without a car?
No. There is no public transport to or inside the park. The nearest airport is Cedar City, Utah, about 142 mi away; Salt Lake City is about 234 mi and Las Vegas about 286 mi. Everyone arrives by car, and the last 5 mi from Baker are on NV-488.
Where should I stay near Great Basin National Park?
Baker, 5 mi from the entrance, has small motels and lodges and is the only real base. Inside the park there are four developed campgrounds plus free primitive sites on the Snake Creek and Strawberry Creek dirt roads. All park camping is first-come, first-served except the Grey Cliffs group site, and campgrounds fill on summer weekends.
Is Great Basin National Park crowded?
It is one of the quietest parks in the lower 48 because of the drive. Crowds are local rather than general: cave tours, campgrounds and the Wheeler Peak trailhead on summer weekends. Weekdays in June and September are usually calm.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go