Best Things to Do in Great Basin National Park
Robert DeckerAlong the Utah border in eastern Nevada, Great Basin National Park shatters the “all desert” myth with a surprising mix of alpine peaks, ancient forests, limestone caverns, and some of the darkest skies in the Lower 48. About 300 miles from Las Vegas near the town of Baker, the park rises from sagebrush steppe to the summit of Wheeler Peak (13,063 ft)—Nevada’s second-highest mountain—where summer snowfields linger and a small rock glacier hides in the cirque. Below ground, ranger-led tours explore the ornate chambers of Lehman Caves; above ground, trails wind through groves of gnarled bristlecone pines (some nearly 3,000–4,000+ years old), past alpine lakes, and along the scenic Wheeler Peak Drive to sweeping overlooks. Designated an International Dark Sky Park, Great Basin delivers exceptional stargazing and regular astronomy programs with crystal-clear Milky Way views.
Remote and blissfully uncrowded, Great Basin sits along U.S. Highway 50—“The Loneliest Road in America.” That isolation is a feature, not a bug: you’ll find easy parking at trailheads, ranger programs without the rush, and four true seasons—wildflowers and cave tours in spring, peak hiking in summer, gold-brushed aspens in fall, and snow-dusted solitude in winter. This guide covers the park’s best things to do, how to plan your visit, and essential tips for making the most of Nevada’s most underrated national park.
My name is Rob Decker, and I’m a photographer and graphic artist with a lifelong passion for America’s National Parks. I’ve visited 55 of our 63 parks—and Great Basin National Park is one I return to for its surprising mix of alpine peaks, ancient bristlecone pines, glittering Lehman Caves, and International Dark Sky stargazing. I’ve explored the park from Wheeler Peak to sagebrush foothills along “The Loneliest Road in America,” so I’m ready to help. Whether it’s your first visit or a long-awaited return, here are the best things to do in Great Basin National Park—from scenic drives and cave tours to high-country hikes and unforgettable night skies.
Know Before You Go
The Great Basin Visitor Center is located just outside the park and is open during the summer months. If your visit is anytime from fall through spring, you will want to visit the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, which is inside the park. Most of the park rangers are here; they are great resources for questions and up-to-date information.
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
A true mountain road, Great Basin’s scenic drive is a 12-mile extravaganza of mountain-hugging road and horizon-reaching vistas. The drive begins at the park boundary on Highway 488 and ascends 4,000 feet to the face of Wheeler Peak (at 10,000 feet above sea level). Along the way, visitors will cross several ecological zones with a surprising diversity of life. It is not uncommon to encounter mule deer, coyotes, marmots, and jackrabbits along the climbing road. During summer rains, the captivating aroma of sagebrush fills the air at the lower elevations. As you climb higher, the sagebrush gives way to Pinyon Pine and then mountain mahogany wilderness, with aspen and conifer forests along the way.
Lehman Caves Tour
By far the most popular attraction in the park, be sure to book this ranger-led tour in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly. The cave tours are offered year-round except for major holidays and give you a detailed look into different sections of the caves. Learn the ecology, geology, and history of these amazing caves. Two different guided tours are offered – the Grand Palace Tour and Lodge Room Tour.
Hiking in Great Basin National Park
The best introduction walk is the Mountain View Nature Trail, at just 1/3 mile in length. It’s an easy walk through a pinyon-juniper forest. The Sky Island Forest Trail is just under ½ mile through a high alpine conifer forest and is wheelchair accessible. At the Bristlecone Trail, make your way through a grove of ancient trees, with interpretive signs explaining the various points of interest. This trail continues to the Glacier Trail and the only glacier in Nevada.
A wonderful longer hike is the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail. At 2.7 miles long, it takes you to two gorgeous alpine lakes, named Teresa and Stella Lakes. On this hike, you’ll get stunning views of Wheeler Peak. For hikers who seek something more challenging, Lehman Creek and Wheeler Peak Summit Trails will take visitors through different habitats, showcasing the diverse landscape. The summit trail, in particular, can be a beast with occasional high winds and some scrambling over terrain. However, the view at the top cannot be beaten. There are several other hikes to choose from, all at higher elevations, with different ability levels.
Backcountry Hiking
Whether you are a hiking novice or an experienced backpacker, there is something for you in Great Basin. If you are looking to do some serious hiking, stop by the visitor center to pick up a backcountry camping permit. While they are not required, registration is free and permits are strongly encouraged; it’s also good as a safety measure so that the park knows where you are.
Walk Amongst the Longest Living Things on Earth
The Bristlecone Pines are a big attraction in Great Basin. With the ability to survive in harsh conditions, these trees are the longest living giants on the planet. Due to the high elevations, colder temperatures, and windy conditions, these trees grow very slowly. Consequently, the wood is very dense with fascinating twisted features, making them resistant to insects, fungi, and erosion. They are found in lower elevations but do not live as long. The three bristlecone pine groves in the park are Wheeler Peak Grove, Mount Washington Grove, and Eagle Peak Grove. Wheeler Peak is the most accessible grove, while the other two are more difficult to reach.
Admire the Night Sky
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, Great Basin attracts astronomy lovers the world over. On a clear night, one can view an expansive playground on view with five planets, satellites, the Milky Way, and the Andromeda Galaxy, all with the naked eye. If you’re wondering how this is possible, you have combination of high elevation, low humidity, and minimal light pollution to thank, creating the best conditions for night sky viewing. The park offers astronomy programs that typically run from April through October on select nights.
Bird Watching and Wildflower Viewing
Several species of birds can be found at Great Basin in this higher elevation environment. Look for Pinyon Jay, White-crowned Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Chickadee, Say’s Phoebe, and several types of hummingbirds, among others. Be sure to stay on designated trails and roads, which offer the best opportunities for bird watching.
The diverse habitats on Great Basin give rise to hundreds of species of wildflowers, perfect for the avid photographer. Typically, wildflowers are abundant in the lower elevations in Springtime, and at higher elevations later on in the season.
Amazing Fishing at Great Basin
As long as you have the required license, which is easy to obtain, fishing in Great Basin National Park can be enjoyable and rewarding. The best locations to fish are Lehman Creek near the Upper Lehman Campground, where anglers can expect to find plenty of brook, brown, and rainbow trout. At Baker Creek, several fishing spots off Baker Creek Road offer high densities of brown and brook trout throughout. Snake Creek contains native Bonneville cutthroat trout. All fishing spots encourage catch and release fishing to promote population growth. Be sure to adhere to current local fishing consumption advisories.
Click here to see the Great Basin National Park Poster!
Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all of America’s National Parks. He’s creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore!
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