Great Basin National Park

The Great Basin National Park is one of the most visited USA national parks. This national park in U.S is established in the year 1986. The Grand Basin National Park is located in the east-central part of Nevada and in nearness to the Utah-Nevada border about five miles west of the town of Baker. The U.S national park had been named after the Great Basin, which is a dry and mountainous region laying between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. The elements that brought fame to the national park are the ancient bristlecone pines, the oldest living organism in the world and the Lehman Caves located at the base of 3,982 meters tall Wheeler Peak.

Visiting Great Basin National Park

Whatever is the span of your visit to the Great Basin National park but in every instance, you will come across umpteen opportunities to enjoy. Start with a sojourn to the visitor’s center to see the exhibits. Joining the 60 or 90 minutes tour of the Lehman’s Cave is absolutely a must. You can also drive through the 12 miles of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and have the mesmerizing mountain vistas. A quite stroll along the Island Forest Trail ending at Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is also a charming option. You can enjoy fishing in the Lehman and the Baker Creek. Enjoy a hike to Lexington Arch, located 25 miles south of Baker. Visit the Baker Archeological Site and see the site of an excavated Fremont Indian Village. You can also visit the Pictograph Cave and search for ancient rock art.

Camping: There are four campgrounds in the Great Basin National Park and they comprise utilities such as, vault toilets, picnic tables, tent pads, and campfire grills. Leveled parking sites are not available. The campgrounds generally accommodate eight people, three tents and two vehicles. The only Campsite open throughout the year is the Lower Lehman Creek while others operate from May until October. Water might not be available during the early or the later part of the season and in that case the fees are cut down.

Guided Tours: There are guided tours of Great Basin National Park offered for visiting the beautiful Lehman caves ornamented by stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, flowstone, popcorn and rare shield formations of over 300 types. The tours generally continue for 60 to 90 minutes and one need to join the ranger to take part in it. Campfire programs are also offered from Memorial Day through the Labor Day at the Upper Lehman Creek Campground and the Wheeler Peak Campground.

Opening Hours Lehman Caves Visitor Center:

Open round the year, daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The hours are extended during summer.

Great Basin Visitor Center:

Open daily during the summer months from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Generally remains closed during winter.

How to Reach Air: The airport in Cedar City, Utah is the nearest airport and is about 142 miles away from the Great Basin National Park. The other important airports are in Salt Lake City, about 234 miles away and Las Vegas, about 286 miles away.

Road: If you are approaching towards the park from the east or the west , then take the U.S. Highway 6 & 50, and turn south on Nevada State Highway 487. After traveling for about 5 miles to Baker turn west on Highway 488 and then travel again for 5 miles and reach the park. If you are coming from Utah taking the south then travel northwards on Utah State Highway 21 crossing through Milford, UT and Garrison. As you will be crossing the border the road will merge into Nevada State Highway 487. Lastly, take a turn towards the west on Highway 488 in Baker and travel 5 miles to the park. On the other hand, a journey from Nevada in the south should be undertaken by taking the on U.S. Highway 93 or the Great Basin Highway to the north. As you will reach the juncture of U.S. Highway 6 & 50, drive east wards through Nevada State Highway 487 and take a turn towards the south. The last route is same as above, that is, traveling 5 miles to Baker and turning west on Highway 488 and then again traveling 5 miles to the park.