POPULAR

The Natural Beauty Of Nevada's Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park is one of the country's newest national parks. President Ronald Reagan designated Great Basin on October 27, 1986.

On January 24, 1922, the Lehman Caves National Monument was established. On August 10, 1933, it was transferred from the Forest Service to the Park Service, and on October 27, 1986, it was incorporated into Great Basin National Park.

Great Basin National Park is in eastern Nevada, close to where Utah starts. It is in the Great Basin Desert, and most of the South Snake Mountains are there. The mountain-hugging Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive leads to the towering Wheeler Peak in the north. One of several ancient bristlecone pine groves is nearby. The stalactites and other formations in the marble Lehman Caves are distinctive. Bighorn sheep are among the park's wildlife.

The park is known for its ancient bristlecone pine groves, which are the oldest known nonclonal organisms, as well as the Lehman Caves at the base of 13,063-foot (3,982 m) Wheeler Peak and the Wheeler Peak Glacier.

Glaciers carved much of the landscape at Great Basin National Park, and some of them are still present. From the Glacier Trail and the Summit Trail, you can see the Lehman rock glacier, which is a large mass of boulders held together by ice. Lehman Cirque, just above the Lehman rock glacier, contains a single remnant of the true ice glaciers that formed the park 10,000 years ago.

The park has 12 trails that range in length from 0.3 to 13.1 miles (0.48 to 21.08 km). Trails range in length from 6,825 feet (2,080 m) for the Mountain View Nature Trail to 10,160 feet for the Wheeler Summit Trail (3,097 m). The Wheeler Summit trail is quite difficult, and the altitude poses significant dangers to unprepared or inexperienced hikers. Backcountry routes are occasionally maintained throughout the park's more remote southern section. A number of these trailheads can be reached via the road that leads to the primitive Shoshone campground.

What makes Great Basin National Park unique?

Is it worthwhile to visit Great Basin National Park?

It's a fantastic NP. The cave tour, Wheeler Peak, and Osceola Ditch trails were all fantastic. The Baker Creek loop is also enjoyable, but strenuous. The night sky alone is worth the trip.

Is Nevada's Great Basin National Park open?

The grounds of Great Basin National Park are open all year for hiking, stargazing, and camping.

Are there bears in Great Basin?

According to research, black bears are spreading hundreds of miles beyond the Sierra Nevada and into Great Basin ranges that they had long abandoned.

How many days will you need to spend in Great Basin National Park?

Two days should suffice. If you are an avid hiker and want to backpack overnight, plan on three days.

Is it crowded in Great Basin National Park?

Because Great Basin National Park appears to be in the middle of nowhere, it receives far fewer visitors than most other national parks, with approximately 90,000 visitors per year. It is, however, not deserted.

Is Great Basin National Park open around the clock?

Open daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, all year. Summer hours are extended. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day are all closed. There is no entrance fee to Great Basin National Park.

Is it worthwhile to visit Great Basin National Park in the winter?

Winter visitors to Great Basin National Park are greeted by solitude, stillness, and spectacular scenery. The park offers some unique experiences during the quietest season of the year. Both the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and Baker Creek Road are closed to vehicles but open to skiers and snowshoers.

What Makes the Great Basin unique?

Great Basin National Park has some of the darkest night skies in the United States due to low humidity and minimal light pollution, making it an ideal location for stargazing.

What animals are in the Great Basin National Park?

Water Shrew
Sagebrush Vole
Porcupine
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Beaver
Bighorn Sheep
Pygmy Rabbit

Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park

Temperatures are generally mild during the summer, which is the most popular season. September and October bring cooler weather and fewer visitors. Hikers should be cautious of sudden thunderstorms that can strike on exposed ridges at any time of year. Early morning is the best time to see Wheeler Peak.