From the sagebrush at its alluvial base to the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park includes streams, lakes, alpine plants, abundant wildlife, a variety of forest types including groves of ancient bristlecone pines, and numerous limestone caverns, including beautiful Lehman Caves.

Great Basin National Park is best explored by hiking. This is a park where it is possible to experience true solitude. Make sure you are prepared before starting any hike. Bring clothing for all types of weather, as weather may change rapidly, especially at high elevations. Eat and drink plenty while hiking. The trails listed below are only ideas to get you started. Rangers can recommend possible routes in even more remote areas of the park. Hiking cross-country can be an exciting challenge for the more experienced hikers and route-finders. Be advised that pets are not allowed on park trails.

Consider extending your hike by spending the night in the backcountry. Voluntary registration forms are at the visitor center. Horses and pack animals (mules, burros, llamas) are allowed in most of the park. This is your park, please protect it. Always try to leave areas cleaner than how you found them. Use a park map to plan your trip. More detailed hiking maps are available at the park visitor center.

National Park Service Areas:

Bryce Canyon National Park, 188 miles.

Cedar Breaks National Monument, 149 miles.

Death Valley National Park, 322 miles.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument, 225 miles.

Zion National Park, 202 miles.

Arches National Park, 326 miles.

Capitol Reef National Park, 248 miles.

Other Attractions:

Cathedral Gorge, (775)728-4460 131 miles.

Ruby Mountains, (775)752-3358 255 miles.

Topaz Internment Camp, 106 miles.

Cave Lake State Park, (775)728-4460 67 miles.

Pioche's Million Dollar Jail, 121 miles.

All park camping is on a first come, first served basis. No reservations can be made (except for the Grey Cliffs Group Campground). Campsites cannot be "saved" or reserved for family or friends arriving later. The fee for developed campgrounds is $10.00 per night per site. Campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. There is no fee for the primitive campgrounds. Pets in the campgrounds must be kept on a leash 6 feet in length or shorter at all times. Pets are not permitted on park trails. CAMPGROUND FEES ARE SCHEDULED TO INCREASE TO $12.00 ($6.00 golden age) PER NIGHT BEGINNING MAY 1, 2005.

Baker Creek Campground : Open mid-May through September

Details : Baker Creek Campground, at 7,700 feet (2,350 meters), contains 32 campsites, 2 of which are wheelchair accessible, and pit toilets. It is 3 miles from Visitor Center on a gravel road. Water is available in summer only. Campsites are $10.00 per night ($12.00 starting 5/1/05)and are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site.

Grey Cliffs Group Campground : Memorial Day to Labor Day, Phone (775) 234-7331 ext. 213

Details : Elevation is 7,115 ft. (2,160 meters) This group campsite is open May through November, weather permitting. A campfire is allowed in one campfire ring only. The campsite has pit toilets and no potable water. Water jugs can be filled at the Baker Creek Campground or the RV dumpstation. RV's are not recommended due to space constraints. The campsite fee is $25 per night for up to 25 people. Each additional person will increase the fee one dollar. The total may not exceed 50 people and $50. A $10 non-refundable deposit will be applied to the fee. Balance is due upon check-in.

Lower Lehman Creek Campground : Open All YearDetails : Lower Lehman Creek Campground, at 7,300 feet (2,200 meters), contains 11 campsites, pit toilets, and a limited number of pull-through sites for small RV's and trailers. It is 2.5 miles from Visitor Center off the paved scenic drive. Lower Lehman Campground is open all year, but water is available in summer only. Campsites are $10.00 per night ($12.00 starting 5/1/05), and are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site.

Primitive Campgrounds : Open All YearDetails : Primitive camping facilities within the park are located along Snake Creek and Strawberry Creek Roads. Picnic tables and fire pits are provided at most sites. A few Snake Creek sites have toilets. Creek water should be treated before use. Drinking water is available at the dump station near the visitor center from late spring through early fall. In winter, water is available at the visitor center. Camping is on a first come, first served basis. The park's primitive campgrounds do not have a fee.

Upper Lehman Creek Campground : Open From mid-May through SeptemberDetails : Upper Lehman Campground is located 3 miles from the Visitors Center off the Scenic Drive at 7,800 feet (2,400 meters). It contains 24 campsites, pit toilets, and 1 wheelchair accessible site. Water is available in summer only. Campsites are $10.00 per night ($12.00 starting 5/1/05)and are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site.

Wheeler Peak Campground : Open June through SeptemberDetails : Wheeler Peak Campground is located at 9,950 feet (3,000 meters) at the end of the scenic drive, just over 12 miles from the Visitors Center. It contains 37 sites (one wheelchair accessible), and pit toilets. The road to the campground is narrow and curvy and climbs an 8% grade 12 miles. RV's and trailers are not recommended. Water is available in summer only. Campsites are $10.00 per night($12.00 starting 5/1/05), limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site.

Bristlecone Pine Hikes:

The ranger-guided hike to the ancient bristlecone grove in the Wheeler Peak cirque is an excellent way to learn more about the natural history of these incredible trees and the Wheeler Peak area. Meet the ranger at 10:00 am at the Bristlecone Trailhead. The group hikes at a relaxed pace 1.4 miles (with an elevation gain of 600 feet) to the bristlecone grove, stopping along the way for discussion. From that point, you may continue on to the glacier, hike the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, or return the 1.4 miles to the parking lot. This program is weather conditional. Bristlecone hikes are offered is offered early July through mid-August on Thursdays and Sundays at 10:00 A.M. The last Bristlecone hike for 2004 will be held August 12.

Campfire Programs:

Campfire programs are offered in the summer season at Upper Lehman Creek and Wheeler Peak Campgrounds. Program topics vary, covering subjects related to Great Basin National Park's cultural and natural resources. Programs last 40-60 minutes. Please come prepared with warm clothing and a lantern or flashlight. Mid-June through Labor Day. Days and times of programs change throughout the season. Programs have been scheduled for at 7:00 on the following evenings in August and September:

Upper Lehman Creek Campground:

Thursday, August 5; Friday, August 6; Saturday, August 7; Sunday, August 8; Thursday, August 12; Friday, August 13; Saturday, August 14; Sunday, August 15; Thursday, August 19; Friday, August 20; Saturday, August 21; Sunday, August 22; Thursday, August 26; Friday, August 27; Sunday, August 29; Thursday, September 2; Friday, September 3; Saturday, September 4; Sunday, September 5

Wheeler Peak Campground:

Friday, August 6; Saturday, August 7; Friday, August 13; Saturday, August 14call us at (775) 234-7331, ext. 212, stop in at the visitor center, or check the campground bulletin boards for further information on these programs.

Lehman Caves Walks:

Lehman Caves can only be entered with a guided tour. Cave tours are 30, 60, or 90 minutes long. Longer tours go further along the same route than shorter tours. The full tour route is 0.54 miles round-trip. The First Room Tour (30 minutes) visits only the Gothic Palace, the first room in the cave. Because children ages 4 and under have a limited attention span, they are not permitted on the 90 minute tour. Cave tours are limited to 25 persons per tour. Cave tours often sell out during busy summer months. To ensure space, buy your tickets early in the day, or in advance over the telephone (775-234-7331 x242). Please note that tickets cannot be purchased over the phone on the day of the tour. Great Basin National Park is on Pacific Time. Fees vary with the length of the tour.

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