Great Basin National Park
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Great Basin National Park - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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20 Recommendations
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1. Bristlecone Pine Trail
Though the park has several bristlecone pine groves, the only way to see the gnarled, ancient trees up close is to hike this trail. From the parking area to the grove, it's a moderate 2.8-mile hike that takes about an hour each way. Rangers offer informative talks in season; inquire at the visitor center. The Bristlecone Pine Trail also leads to the Glacier Trail, which skirts the southernmost permanent ice field on the continent and ends with a view of a small rock glacier, the only one in Nevada. It's less than 3 miles back to the parking lot. Allow three hours for the moderate hike and remember the trailhead is at 9,800 feet above sea level. Moderate.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA -
2. Lehman Caves
While Indigenous people were the first to explore and use the caves, rancher and miner Absalom Lehman is credited with discovering this underground wonder in 1885. The single limestone and marble cavern is 2½ miles long, with stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, flowstone, popcorn, and other bizarre mineral formations that cover almost every surface. Lehman Caves is one of the best places to see rare shield formations, created when calcite-rich water is forced from tiny cracks in a cave wall, ceiling, or floor. Year-round the cave maintains a constant, damp temperature of 50°F, so wear a light jacket and nonskid shoes. Go for the full 90-minute tour if you have time; during summer, it's offered several times a day, as is the 60-minute tour. Expect daily tours during the winter. Children under age five are not allowed on the 90-minute tours, except during the winter; those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Take the 0.3-mile Mountain View Nature Trail beforehand to see the original cave entrance and Rhodes Cabin, where black-and-white photographs of the park's earlier days line the walls. Get tickets as far in advance as possible at recreation.gov. Tours can sell out months in advance.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA775-234–7331Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $9, Daily 8–4:30 -
3. Nevada Northern Railway Museum
The biggest attraction in Ely draws train aficionados from near and far. During the mining boom, the Nevada Northern Railroad connected East Ely, Ruth, and McGill to the transcontinental rail line in the northeast corner of the state. The whole operation is now a museum open year-round and watched over by its famed cat mascot, Dirt, who receives food and gifts from fans across the country. You can tour the depot, offices, warehouses, yard, engine houses, and repair shops. Catch a ride on one of the vintage locomotives, and get history lessons from enthusiastic guides along the way (check website for times). You can even stay overnight in a caboose or bunkhouse.
1100 Ave. A, Ely, Nevada, 89315, USA866-407–8326Sight Details
Rate Includes: $8 for museum, $31 for train ride (museum included), Closed Tues. Sept.–June, July and Aug., daily 8–5; Sept.–June, Wed.–Mon. 8–5 -
4. Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
When this stunning seasonable road is open, it's a must for Great Basin visitors. Less than a mile from the visitor center off Route 488, turn onto this paved road that winds its way up to elevations of 10,000 feet. You'll go past pinyon-juniper forest in lower elevations; as you climb, the air cools as much as 20–30 degrees. Along the way, pull off at overlooks for awe-inspiring glimpses of the peaks of the South Snake Range. A short interpretive trail leads to a ditch that once carried water to the historic Osceola mining site. Turn off at Mather Overlook, elevation 9,000 feet, for the best photo ops. Wheeler Overlook is the best place to see Wheeler Peak, as well as fall colors. Allow 1½ hours for the 24-mile round-trip, not including hikes.
Baker, Nevada, USASight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–June -
5. Wheeler Peak Summit Trail
Begin this full-day, 8.6-mile hike early in the day so as to minimize exposure to afternoon storms. Depart and return to Summit Trailhead near the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. Most of the route follows a ridge up the mountain to the summit. Elevation gain is 2,900 feet to 13,063 feet above sea level, so hikers should have good stamina and watch for altitude sickness and/or hypothermia due to drastic temperature and weather changes. The trail becomes especially steep and challenging, with lots of loose rocks, toward the summit. Difficult.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Alpine Lakes Trail
This moderate, 2.7-mile trek loops past the beautiful Stella and Teresa lakes from the trailhead near Wheeler Peak Campground. You'll rise and fall about 600 feet in elevation as you pass through subalpine and alpine forest. The views of Wheeler Peak, amid wildflowers (in summer), white fir, shimmering aspens, and towering ponderosa pines, make this a memorable hike. The trailhead is at nearly 10,000 feet, so make sure you're adjusted to the altitude and prepared for changing weather. Allow three hours. Moderate.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, USA -
7. Baker Creek Road
Though less popular than the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, this gravel road affords gorgeous views of Wheeler Peak, the Baker Creek Drainage, and Snake Valley. Beautiful wildflowers are an extra treat in spring and early summer. The road is closed in the winter, and there are no pull-outs or scenic overlooks.
USASight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–May -
8. Baker Lake Trail
This full-day, 12-mile hike can easily be made into a two-day backpacking trip. You'll gain a total of 2,620 feet in elevation on the way to Baker Lake, a jewel-like alpine lake with a backdrop of impressive cliffs. Difficult.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA -
9. Cave Lake State Park
This is an idyllic spot 7,350 feet above sea level in the pine and juniper forest of the big Schell Creek Range that borders Ely to the east. You can spend a day fishing for rainbow and brown trout in the reservoir and a night sleeping under the stars. Arrive early; it gets crowded. Access may be restricted in winter.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89315, USA775-296–1505Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Daily, 24 hrs -
10. Great Basin Visitor Center
Visitor CenterHere you can see exhibits on the flora, fauna, and geology of the park, or ask a ranger to suggest a favorite hike. Books, videos, and souvenirs are for sale; water is available, but for snacks continue up the road to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center.
Rte. 487, just north of Baker, Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA775-234–7520 -
11. Junior Ranger Program
Tour–SightYoungsters answer questions and complete activities related to the park and then are sworn in as Junior Rangers and receive a Great Basin Bristlecone badge.
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12. Lehman Caves Visitor Center
Visitor CenterRegularly scheduled cave tours lasting 60 or 90 minutes depart from here. Mountain View Nature Trail encircles the visitor center and includes Rhodes Cabin and the historic cave entrance. Exhibits highlight the gnarled and ancient bristlecone pine and other park flora, plus cave formations. Buy gifts for friends and family back home at the bookstore, and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi.
Rte. 488, ½ mile inside park boundary, Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA775-234–7331 -
13. Lehman Caves Visitor Center Picnic Area
Other AttractionThis picnic site, with tables, water, and restrooms (the latter two available during the summer), is a short walk from the visitor center. Summer hours are often extended beyond the standard 8 am–4:30 pm.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA -
14. Mountain View Nature Trail
Just past the Rhodes Cabin on the right side of the visitor center, this short and easy trail (0.3 mile) through pinyon pine and juniper trees is marked with signs describing the plants. The path passes the original entrance to Lehman Caves and loops back to the visitor center. It's a great way to spend a half hour or so while you wait for your cave tour to start. Easy.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA -
15. Osceola Ditch Trail
In 1890, at a cost of $108,223, the Osceola Gravel Mining Company constructed an 18-mile-long trench. The ditch was part of an attempt to glean gold from the South Snake Range, but water shortages and the company's failure to find much gold forced the mining operation to shut down in 1905. You can reach portions of the eastern section of the ditch on foot via the Osceola Ditch Trail, which passes through pine and fir trees and has interpretive signs along the way. Allow 30 minutes for this easy 0.3-mile round-trip hike. Easy.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USA -
16. Pole Canyon Trailhead Picnic Area
Inaccessible when Baker Creek Road is closed in the winter, this picnic area at the mouth of a canyon has a handful of tables and fire grills but no water. It does have a restroom. Access is via a narrow, one-lane road.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USASight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–May, No credit cards -
17. U.S. 93 Scenic Byway
The 68 miles between the park and Ely make a beautiful drive with diverse views of Nevada's paradoxical geography: dry deserts and lush mountains. You'll catch an occasional glimpse of a snake, perhaps a rattler, slithering on the road's shoulder, or a lizard sunning on a rock. Watch for deer. A straight drive to Ely takes a little more than an hour; if you have the time to take a dirt-road adventure, don't miss the Ward Charcoal Ovens or a peek at Cave Lake.
Nevada, USA -
18. Upper Lehman Creek Campground
There is a handful of places here where you can sit down for a bite and a breather. A group picnic site requires advance reservations, but areas near the host site and amphitheater are first come, first served. Water is available.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 89311, USASight Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards -
19. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
In the quiet desert south of Ely, this row of six beehive-shaped, 30-foot-tall ovens used to process 35 cords of wood at once. From 1876 to 1879, the ovens turned vast forests of pinyon, juniper, and mountain mahogany into charcoal, which was used for refining local silver and copper ore. It's a well-preserved piece of unique mining history, and the park includes a campground, hiking trails, and a creek good for fishing.
View Tours and ActivitiesGreat Basin National Park, Nevada, 89315, USA775-289–1693Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Daily, 24 hrs -
20. Weekly Astronomy Programs
ObservatoryYou'll find some of the country's darkest skies—and brightest stars—at Great Basin. Expect to be dazzled, especially on moonless nights, as you get a chance to see the wild blue yonder through a telescope at these ranger-led events.
Lehman Caves Visitor Center, Baker, Nevada, 89311, USA
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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