Great Basin National Park

Understand

The region surrounding the park has a low population, spread out in small communities over a large area. Therefore, unlike other national parks in the West, such as the Grand Canyon, Great Basin is not particularly well-known as a national park. However, if you're willing to make the journey to this park in eastern Nevada, it's an excellent example of Nevada's mountainous scenery.

History

Great Basin National Park is at the western end of the area in which the Indian Fremont culture used to dominate.

Landscape

Great Basin National Park is, despite the name, a mountainous park region. It is in many ways similar to the Sierra Nevada Range of California, and has high, rocky peaks from which small creeks descend into the valleys below.

Approaching the park from Baker, the land is flat until the visitor center is reached; then steep-sided mountains block road travel westward across the mountains at this point within the range. The scenic drive to Wheeler Peak follows the mountain slopes until the mountain range becomes too steep to climb by road.

Flora and fauna

At lower elevations, sagebrush dominates. Higher elevations include many juniper trees, and these collect in woodlands in some places. The highest elevations have very little vegetation.

Climate

There is almost an 8,000 ft 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 snowpack may not have melted at high elevations. The Great Basin is a high-elevation desert, with low relative humidity and sharp drops in temperature at night. In the summer, fierce afternoon thunderstorms are common. Weather conditions are highly variable, so come prepared for all types of weather. It can snow any time of the year at high elevations.

Due to the elevation, temperatures can get cold at night but quickly get warm when the sun rises, as sunlight does not have to pass through much of the earth's atmosphere before hitting the ground. As a result, it could be 40 degrees above freezing (Fahrenheit), but there could still be snow above 7,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation. Temperatures can be cold during winter in both Baker and Great Basin National Park, but temperatures should get pretty hot in Baker during the summer months.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is in Cedar City, Utah, 142 mi away. Major airports are found in Salt Lake City, Utah, 234 mi away, and Las Vegas, Nevada, 286 mi away.

By car

From the east or west, from U.S. Highway 6 and 50, turn south on Nevada State Highway 487 and travel 5 mi to Baker, Nevada. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 mi to the park.

From the south (Utah), travel north on Utah State Highway 21 through Milford and Garrison, Utah, which will become Nevada State Highway 487 as you cross the border. Turn west on Highway 488 in Baker and travel 5 mi to the park.

From the south (Nevada), travel north on U.S. Highway 93 (Great Basin Highway). At the junction of U.S. Highway 6 and 50, drive east to Nevada State Highway 487 and turn south. Travel 5 mi to Baker. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 mi to the park.

By bus

No public transportation is available to, or in, Great Basin National Park.

Fees and permits

The park is open daily, year round, from 8AM to 4:30PM, with extended hours in the summer. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee. Cave tour fees vary depending on length of tour. 60-minute tours cost $12 for an adult and $6 for a child, while the 90-minute tours cost $15 and $8 respectively. Golden Age/Golden Access card holders pay child rates. Camping fees are $20 for developed campgrounds per night/per site. Primitive campgrounds have no fee.

Get around

Most of the park's attractions and facilities can be reached from the visitor center and the roads surrounding it. However, there are some attractions in the park that require you to drive to Baker and take the main highway south and turn onto a dirt road that leads into another section of the park.

Two main roads in Great Basin National Park are paved; the first road leads to the visitor center, and the other goes up Wheeler Peak. All other major roads are dirt track, often four-wheel drive recommended routes.

See and do

In 2016 the park was designated as an International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). This designation is given to lands which provide exceptional viewing of starry nights. Great Basin National Park received this title due to its location in one of the least populated areas of the contiguous United States and conservation efforts which seek to reduce sources of light pollution and educate visitors on the importance of the park’s dark skies. For visitors this means that in good weather conditions the park is a particularly good location for stargazing. The park hosts ranger-led stargazing activities , including a multi-day astronomy festival each year in late September.

Stay safe

Keep in mind the remote location when you're in or near the park, since it's necessary to be especially careful here. This region of Nevada is remote for the United States in general, let alone more densely populated regions of the country, so those who visit the park must keep in mind the distance from cities (and therefore services) when visiting.

Climbing

The area in and around the park offers a very limited amount of technical rock climbing. The hazardous nature of the rock the remoteness of the sites are the main contributors to this. All routes in the Wheeler Peak area are hazardous, with deadly rockfalls possible at any time of year. Chiseling, chipping, gluing, or breaking away rock or otherwise physically altering the rock is prohibited. This includes placing bolts or other fixed protection. Clean aid, top-roping, or traditional lead climbing are permitted. The use of motorized drills, hand drills or other portable motorized equipment is not allowed. Free climber registration at park visitor centers is recommended for anyone who plans to climb in the park. Rescue resources are limited and may be hours away; parties should be capable of self-rescue.

Weather

Check weather forecasts before hiking in any canyons in the park, since rains can cause the normally dry washes on the east and west sides of the park to suddenly become great rivers that carry large amounts of rain and melted snow from the mountains nearby. Warmer weather can also cause snow melt, although snow melt will occur more slowly and send water down the washes at a steadier rate.

Go next

• A small settlement, Baker, is 5 mi from the park, and offers lodging, food, and supplies.
• Farther away is the town of Ely, which has a supermarket and some restaurants.
• Still farther away is a larger city, Salt Lake City. However, both Salt Lake City and Ely are quite a long way from Great Basin National Park, so prepare accordingly.

Buy, eat, and drink

More restaurants are found in Baker; for a more varied cuisine, the town of Ely is an hour's drive away.