Overview
Basin and Range National Monument is 704,000 acres (2,800 km2) of rugged wilderness in Southern Nevada. According to the Bureau of Land Management, it is so vast and empty that it "redefines our notions of distance and space" and "opportunities for solitude abound."
2 sights
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Best things about Basin and Range National Monument
White River Narrows
A canyon carved by the White River during the Pleistocene Era, home to one of the largest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in eastern Nevada. The rock art sites cover more than 4,000 acres and include two styles, o…
Shooting Gallery
Archeological site with lots of rock art.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Wettest: Mar and Feb. (climate data from nearby Pioche)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SGU St George Regional Airport, St George — 120 mi away. Directions
- CDC Cedar City Regional Airport, Cedar City — 126 mi away. Directions
- LAS Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas — 128 mi away (major hub). Directions
The closest towns are Alamo, Caliente, and Ely.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Shooting Gallery
- Afternoon White River Narrows
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
There are no facilities or services in the park. The field office, with information and maps, is located in nearby Caliente.
Place Ely District, Caliente Field Office
History
Landscape
Mountains and valleys in a transitional region between the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin.
Flora and fauna
Climate
Winter temperatures can get below freezing, while summer temperatures can be 80–90 °F (around 30 °C) or higher. In any season, bring plenty of water.
Thunderstorms happen in the summer. To avoid being struck by lightning, avoid high places and stay inside your vehicle if possible. Flash floods are possible during rainstorms.
Check the weather forecast before you set out.
Visitor information
Get in
The closest towns are Alamo, Caliente, and Ely.
Fees and permits
No fees or permits.
Get around
There are no paved roads in the park, so a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance is best. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.
For hiking, you're advised to use a physical map (which you can buy at the field office in Caliente) instead of GPS. There are no designated trails, so pay careful attention to landmarks so you can find the way back to your vehicle.
See
See White River Narrows
A canyon carved by the White River during the Pleistocene Era, home to one of the largest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in eastern Nevada. The rock art sites cover more than 4,000 acres and include two styles, one from hunter-gatherers (Basin and Range tradition) and one from Fremont groups.
Drink
Bring plenty of water with you—the weather can be hot and dry. The rule of thumb is one gallon (four liters) per person per day.
Sleep
Camping is allowed for up to 14 days.
Stay safe
Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and venomous spiders live out here, so be careful where you stick your hands. If you see them, leave them alone.
If your car breaks down, stay with it. If you abandon it, it's harder for rescuers to find you.
Respect
Practice leave no trace principles. Don't touch the rock art.
Nearby
My experience
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