Camping Near Great Basin National Park
Nevada | Established 1986
About Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park protects 77,180 acres in east-central Nevada where Wheeler Peak rises to 13,063 feet above the desert floor. The park contains Lehman Caves, a marble cavern system with elaborate formations, and groves of bristlecone pines that rank among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Dramatic elevation changes create distinct climate zones from sagebrush desert to alpine tundra within a short drive.
Five developed campgrounds operate seasonally: Wheeler Peak (37 sites, $20 per night) at 9,886 feet with direct access to bristlecone and alpine lake trails, Upper Lehman Creek (23 sites, $20 per night), Baker Creek (37 sites, $20 per night), and Grey Cliffs (16 individual and 4 group sites, $20 to $30 per night). Lower Lehman Creek (11 sites, $20 per night) stays open year-round. Snake Creek offers 12 free primitive sites. Baker, Nevada (5 miles) provides minimal services; Ely (70 miles) has full supplies.
Camping Tips for Great Basin
- Reserve Wheeler Peak Campground through recreation.gov for direct access to the bristlecone pine grove and alpine lake trails. The 37 sites at 9,886 feet fill quickly for July and August. The campground operates late June through Labor Day. Expect nighttime temperatures near freezing even in summer.
- Lower Lehman Creek is the only year-round campground at $20 per night with 11 sites. It sits near the Lehman Caves Visitor Center at a lower elevation, making it warmer but farther from alpine trails. Arrive early for first-come availability during peak months.
- Book Lehman Caves tours through recreation.gov well in advance. The Grand Palace tour (90 minutes, $15 per person) and Lodge Room tour (60 minutes, $12 per person) sell out during summer. Tours depart from the Lehman Caves Visitor Center year-round with reduced winter schedules.
- Stock all supplies in Ely, Nevada (70 miles west) before arriving. Baker has extremely limited services with no grocery store. Cell coverage is poor throughout the area. Bring all food, water if campground spigots are seasonal, fuel, and camping supplies.
- Visit in September for ideal conditions. Crowds thin after Labor Day, Wheeler Peak Campground may still operate, temperatures remain comfortable, and the bristlecone pine grove sees fewer hikers. Fall colors appear in the aspens along Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Great Basin National Park
11.Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed public land area located in Colorado. The area offers dispersed camping, hiking, and scenic driving...
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12.Upper Lehman Creek Campground
Upper Lehman Creek Campground is a scenic mountain campground located within Great Basin National Park at 7,500 feet elevation, three miles up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive....
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13.Baker Creek Campground
Baker Creek Campground is located within Great Basin National Park. The park offers a variety of camping options, including campgrounds, group camping, and primitive campgrounds....
Show more14.Lakeview Campground
Cave Lake State Park is a 40-acre park located in Nevada, USA. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including camping, fishing, and boating. The park's...
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15.Lower Lehman Creek Campground
Lower Lehman Creek Campground is located in Great Basin National Park, Nevada. The campground is situated in a scenic area surrounded by pine trees and offers stunning views of...
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16.Meadow Valley Campground
Meadow Valley Campground is a campground located in Nevada, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The campground offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty...
Show more17.Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area
Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recreation area located in Nevada. The area offers a variety of recreational activities, including camping,...
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18.Cherry Creek Campground
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest offers a setting of classic Western beauty and is known for its many recreational opportunities, scenic vistas, and wild places where visitors...
Show more19.Ranch Campground
This website appears to be an official website of the United States government, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. The website provides information on...
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20.Willow Creek Campground
Unfortunately, there is no description of Willow Creek Campground on the provided website content. However, based on the website structure, it appears to be a Nevada State Parks...
Show moreShowing 11–20 of 41 campgrounds within 75 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee for Great Basin?
No, the park has no entrance fee. Lehman Caves tours are the only paid activity, ranging from $8 for the 30-minute Gothic Palace tour to $15 for the 90-minute Grand Palace tour. Senior and Access Pass holders receive 50 percent off cave tour prices. All trails and campgrounds are accessible without additional fees.
The free admission policy makes Great Basin exceptionally accessible despite its remote location. Cave tour reservations through recreation.gov are strongly recommended since summer tours sell out weeks in advance. The Wild Caving tour ($40 per person) explores undeveloped passages and requires crawling through tight spaces. Children under 5 are not permitted on most cave tours. The visitor center has exhibits on cave geology and Great Basin ecology available at no charge.
Which campground has the best trail access?
Wheeler Peak Campground at 9,886 feet provides direct access to the Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop (4.6 miles), the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail (8.2 miles roundtrip), and the glacier cirque. The campground operates late June through Labor Day with 37 sites at $20 per night through recreation.gov.
The Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop passes Stella Lake at 1.1 miles and Teresa Lake at 1.9 miles before reaching the ancient bristlecone pine grove. The Wheeler Peak Summit Trail gains over 3,000 feet to the 13,063-foot peak and requires six to eight hours. Start summit attempts before 8 a.m. to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Baker Creek Campground also provides good trail access to Baker Lake (12 miles roundtrip) through less-traveled terrain.
How remote is Great Basin National Park?
Very remote. Baker, Nevada (5 miles from the park entrance) has minimal services. Ely, Nevada (70 miles west) is the nearest town with grocery stores, fuel stations, and restaurants. Salt Lake City is 234 miles northeast and Las Vegas is 286 miles southwest. Cell coverage is extremely limited throughout the area.
Plan all supply purchases before reaching Baker. No public transportation serves the park; a personal vehicle is essential. GPS navigation apps may be unreliable on remote Nevada highways, so download offline maps. The park sits in the Pacific Time Zone, but neighboring Utah is Mountain Time. Highway 487 from Utah can become impassable in winter. The nearest hospital is in Ely. Budget extra driving time on two-lane highways through open desert.
What are the Lehman Caves tours like?
Lehman Caves offers multiple ranger-led tours through decorated marble passages with shields, stalactites, and flowstone formations. The Lodge Room tour (60 minutes, $12) and Grand Palace tour (90 minutes, $15) are the most popular options. Tours depart from the Lehman Caves Visitor Center year-round with a reduced winter schedule.
Cave temperature stays at 50 degrees year-round, so bring a jacket even in summer. The Gothic Palace tour (30 minutes, $8) provides a shorter introduction. Tours follow paved paths with handrails through developed passages. Photography is allowed without flash. The cave contains rare shield formations found in few caves worldwide. Group sizes are limited and tours sell out during summer months. Reserve through recreation.gov as early as possible for peak season dates.
Can I camp year-round at Great Basin?
Lower Lehman Creek Campground is the only developed campground open year-round with 11 sites at $20 per night. Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive closes above Upper Lehman Creek when snow accumulates, typically November through June. Winter camping requires cold-weather gear and self-sufficiency since most facilities shut down.
Winter visitors can snowshoe or cross-country ski on the closed Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and surrounding trails. Lehman Caves tours operate year-round on a reduced schedule. Snow accumulation at higher elevations can exceed four feet. Lower Lehman Creek sits at a lower elevation with more moderate winter temperatures but nights still drop well below freezing. Snake Creek primitive sites (free, 12 sites) may also be accessible in winter depending on road conditions.
What wildlife inhabits Great Basin?
The park supports mule deer, mountain lions, bobcats, and over 60 species of mammals. Pronghorn antelope graze in the lower valleys. The Bonneville cutthroat trout, a native species, inhabits park streams. Great Basin rattlesnakes are present at lower elevations from May through October. Pikas live in alpine talus slopes near Wheeler Peak.
Mountain lions are present but rarely seen. Mule deer are common near campgrounds at dawn and dusk. The park protects critical habitat for the Bonneville cutthroat trout, which has been reintroduced to several park streams. Birdwatchers can find over 200 documented bird species including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and sage grouse. Store all food in vehicles since bear-proof lockers are not provided at all campgrounds. The remote location supports dark skies and excellent stargazing.
How difficult is the Wheeler Peak summit hike?
The Wheeler Peak Summit Trail is strenuous: 8.2 miles roundtrip with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain from the Wheeler Peak Campground trailhead at 9,886 feet to the 13,063-foot summit. Most hikers need six to eight hours. The trail crosses exposed alpine terrain above tree line with loose rock on the final approach.
Start before 8 a.m. to avoid afternoon thunderstorms that develop rapidly above tree line. The altitude affects visitors from lower elevations, causing shortness of breath and fatigue. Bring at least two liters of water, sunscreen, wind layers, and rain gear. The trail is snow-covered into June and may require microspikes. Summit views extend across the Great Basin desert to distant mountain ranges. Lightning is the primary danger on the exposed upper ridge during storm season.
Is Great Basin good for stargazing?
Great Basin is designated an International Dark Sky Park, offering some of the darkest night skies in the lower 48 states. The remote location far from city lights allows visibility of the Milky Way, thousands of stars, and occasional meteor showers. The park hosts astronomy ranger programs during summer months.
Astronomy programs typically run on selected evenings at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center from June through August, featuring telescopes and ranger-led constellation tours. Wheeler Peak Campground at 9,886 feet provides excellent sky viewing above much of the atmospheric haze. New moon periods offer the best conditions. Bring binoculars or a small telescope to enhance the experience. The park's remoteness means minimal light pollution from any direction, making it a premier destination for astrophotography.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (cave tours $8 – $15)
- Best Time to Visit
- May – October
- Nearest Town
- Baker, NV, Ely, NV, Delta, UT
- Elevation
- 6,195 – 13,063 ft
- Park Size
- 77,180 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~0.3 million