Planning a visit to Great Basin National Park? Here’s all you need to know.

Great Basin National park is a hidden gem near the Nevada – Utah border that features 3,000 year old bristlecone pine trees, the otherworldly Lehman Caves, the Wheeler Peak glacial amphitheater, and world class stargazing. Due to its remote nature, Great Basin National Park is less prone to crowding and offers serene hiking in relative solitude.

What we loved:

  • No crowds
  • Unique features – ancient bristlecone pines, Lehman Caves
  • Higher elevation – cooler weather in summer

What to keep in mind:

  • Monsoon season in late summer – afternoon thunderstorms
  • Reserve Lehman Caves tour in advance
  • High elevation – bring layers
  • Remote – minimal amenities outside of the park

Closest Metros to Great Basin National Park:

  • Salt Lake City, UT: ~4hrs
  • Las Vegas, NV: ~5hrs
  • Reno, NV: ~6.5hrs

Hiking in Great Basin

Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop

Distance: 5.3 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 2.5 hrs, Elevation Gain: 1,020 ft, Type: Loop/Out and Back

This trail takes hikers past Stella and Teresa Lakes, ancient bristlecone pines (some more than 3,000 years old!), and to the Wheeler Peak glacial amphitheater. If there’s one trail to do in Great Basin National Park, outside of the Lehman Caves tour, this is it. If the mileage difficulty is too much, this can be broken up into the Alpine Lakes Trail and the Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail.

Lehman Caves Tour

Distance: 0.54 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Time: 1.5 hrs, Elevation Gain: 50 ft, Type: Loop

The Lehman Caves are one of the features at Great Basin National park you can’t miss. The park ranger-guided tour starts at the visitor ctakes you through several rooms filled with stalagmites, stalactites, and various other cave formations. I recommend doing the Grand Palace tour and to make reservations in advance, since the tours may fill up. You can take your chances making a reservation in person at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Make sure to bring a sweater on the tour – it gets a little chilly underground! (Note: children under the age of 5 are not allowed on the tour.)

Baker Creek Loop

Distance: 5 miles, Difficulty: Hard, Time: 3 hrs, Elevation Gain: 1,204 ft, Type: Loop

This trail takes you to the less traveled areas of Great Basin National Park. The route goes through pine forests, along streams, and over hillsides offering views of the mountainous terrain. Most of the elevation gain occurs in one push toward the beginning of the trail (starting on the northern half of the loop), but otherwise the trail is mostly mild.

Mountain View Nature Trail

Distance: 0.4 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Time: 10 minutes, Elevation Gain: 42 ft, Type: Loop

This short trail is a great way to pass time waiting for your Lehman Caves tour, and to learn more about the plant life and land features of Great Basin National Park.

If you have the time and energy…

Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail

  • Distance: 8.2 miles, Difficulty: Hard, Time: 5.5 hrs, Elevation Gain: 2,906 ft, Type: Loop
  • Add this to your list if interested in summitting the 13,000ft Wheeler Peak. We weren’t able to do this one with our baby in tow!

Lexington Arch Trail

  • Distance: 6.3 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 3.5 hrs, Elevation Gain: 1,430 ft, Type: Out & Back
  • The trailhead is reached by backroads – you will need a high-clearance vehicle with 4-wheel drive

Camping/Lodging

National Park

Lower Lehman Campground:

This campground has 11 non-electric sites, 6 of which are suitable for RVs. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit (be mindful of seasonal regulations). Water spigots (non-potable) and pit toilets are available in the campground. Season starts in late May and goes through October. Campsites are $20 per night and reservable up to 1 month in advance during season.

Upper Lehman Campground:

This campground has 23 non-electric sites, most of which are suitable for RVs. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit (be mindful of seasonal regulations). Water spigots (non-potable) and pit toilets are available in the campground. Season starts in late May and goes through October. Campsites are $20 per night and reservable up to 1 month in advance during season.

Grey Cliffs Campground:

This campground has 16 tent-only sites. The campground does not have potable water. Pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings are available at this campground. Campsites are $20 per night and reservable 1 month in advance (though many of the sites may be listed as first come first served on Recreation.gov)

Wheeler Peak Campground:

This campground sits at 9,500 feet and is a short drive away from many of Great Basin National Park’s primary trailheads. The high elevation also means that this campground can get pretty cold, even in summer. This campground has 37 non-electric sites, all of which allow RVs (though no vehicles over 24 feet in length). Each site has a picnic table and fire pit (be mindful of seasonal regulations). Water spigots (non-potable) and pit toilets are available in the campground. Season starts in late June and goes through early to mid September. Campsites are $20 per night and reservable up to 1 month in advance during season.

Baker Creek Campground:

This campground has 37 first-come-first-served non-electric sites, 33 of which allow RVs. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit (be mindful of seasonal regulations). Water spigots (non-potable) and pit toilets are available in the campground. This campground is open from Memorial Day through the end of December. Campsites are $20 per night.

Lodging

Stargazer Inn: Located in Baker, just outside Great Basin National Park. Stargazer Inn has 10 rooms available typically for under $100 per night. Pets are allowed here for an additional $20 cleaning fee. Stargazer Inn also owns the Bristlecone General Store offering coffee, drinks, food, and some outdoor gear.

Border Inn Casino: If you’re interested in trying your luck at some slot machines while visiting Great Basin National Park, Border Inn Casino is the place. In addition to its 29 rooms, this inn features a casino with slot machines, pool, and pinball. Nightly rates generally range from $120 – $140 per night, and RV spots with full hookup are $45 per night. Border Inn Casino also has a gas station, a convenience store, and an American food restaurant.

Whispering Elms Motel & RV Park: Whispering Elms has 6 motel rooms around $100 per night with WiFi, TV, coffee maker, and fridge. RV spots with full hookup range from $35 – $40 per night. Tent sites are also available. Whispering Elms is also home to the 487 Grill, serving burgers, breakfast, and other items on a rotating menu.
 

Other Airbnb and Bed and Breakfast locations can be found on this site.

About Baker

Dining:

487 Grill: Burgers, breakfast, and other meals on a rotating menu.

Border Inn Casino (8 miles outside of Baker): American food, full bar

Great Basin Café: Located within the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Variety of American food, full bar, snacks, souvenirs


Services:

  • Gas:
  • Groceries:
  • Dog Care:
    • Pups are not allowed on National Park hiking trails.
    • Park a Pooch is a great option in Baker to drop off your dog while you spend the day in Great Basin National Park. Rates are $35 for a half day (up to 5 hours) and $50 for a full day (up to 10 hours).

Itinerary for a 2-Day Trip:

Day 1:

  • Morning Hike: Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop
  • Lunch: Grab some food at Bristlecone General Store
  • Afternoon: Great Basin National Park Visitor Center & Scenic Drive
  • Dinner at Camp

Day 2:

  • Morning Hike: Baker Creek Loop
  • Lunch: Great Basin Café
  • Afternoon: Lehman Caves Tour & Mountain View Nature Trail
  • Dinner at Camp

Summing Up

Great Basin National Park is a wonderful destination for those who want to get off the beaten path. Its unique features, sparse crowds, and star-packed night skies make this park an unforgettable experience.