Great Basin National Park

About Great Basin

From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the sagebrush-covered foothills, Great Basin National Park hosts a sample of the incredible diversity of the larger Great Basin region. Come and partake of the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore mysterious subterranean passages. There's a lot more than just desert here.

Hours

Getting there

From the East or West: From U.S. Highway 6 & 50, turn south on Nevada State Highway 487 and travel 5 miles to Baker, NV. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 miles to the park. From the South (Utah): Travel north on Utah State Highway 21 through Milford, UT and Garrison, UT, Highway 487. Turn west on Highway 488 in Baker and travel 5 miles to the park. From the South (Nevada): Travel north on U.S. Highway 93. No public transportation is available to, or in, Great Basin National Park.

Weather

There is almost an 8,000 ft (2,400 m) difference in elevation between Wheeler Peak and the valley floor. Weather conditions in the park vary with elevation. In late spring and early summer, days in the valley may be hot, yet the snow pack may not have melted in the higher elevations. The Great Basin is a desert, with low relative humidity and sharp drops in temperature at night. In the summer, fierce afternoon thunderstorms are common. It can snow any time of the year at high elevations.

Things to do

Astronomy, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Birdwatching, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Caving, Dining, Fishing, Food, Gathering and Foraging, Gift Shop and Souvenirs, Group Camping, Guided Tours, Hiking, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), Horse Camping (see also camping), Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting and Gathering, Junior Ranger Program, Museum Exhibits, Park Film, Picnicking, RV Camping, Road Biking, Scenic Driving, Shopping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Stargazing, Wildlife Watching.