In the empty middle of Nevada, a single mountain rises from the sagebrush to over 13,000 feet. On its slopes grow some of the oldest living things on Earth — Great Basin bristlecone pines, gnarled and polished by thousands of years of wind — and under its foothills runs a cave decorated like a cathedral. Great Basin is one of the least visited national parks in the lower 48: a place to have trails, lakes and the Milky Way largely to yourself.
Best things to do in Great Basin
1Lehman Caves
A marble cave packed with stalactites, columns and rare shield formations, visited on ranger-led tours of different lengths. Tickets are required for everyone, including toddlers, and are reserved on recreation.gov.
The cave stays cool all year: bring a layer even in July.
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
A paved road climbing about 12 miles from the sagebrush to a trailhead at around 10,000 feet, through aspen and pine. The upper section is closed by snow for much of the year.
3Bristlecone Trail
From the end of the scenic drive, a walk to a grove of bristlecone pines below the Wheeler Peak cirque, with signs explaining how these trees survive for millennia. Continue to the rock glacier if you are fit.
4Alpine Lakes Loop
An easy-to-moderate loop to Stella and Teresa lakes, mirrors for Wheeler Peak in the morning.
5Wheeler Peak summit
A long, high-altitude day hike to the top at 13,063 feet, with views across half of Nevada and Utah. Start at dawn and turn back if storms build.
6Stargazing
Great Basin is an International Dark Sky Park. On moonless summer nights the Milky Way casts shadows; rangers run astronomy programs in season.
Why go: the most remote park in the lower 48?
Not quite — but it feels like it. Great Basin is reached on US-50, nicknamed “the Loneliest Road in America”, and the nearest city is hours away. That is the point: no shuttles, no queues, no timed entry. It pairs well with a road trip between Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and the Utah parks.
Great Basin entrance fees and reservations
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Entrance | Free |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US residents $80 · non-residents $250 — covers the whole car and the $100 fee |
Cashless: card only for cave tours and camping.
- No entrance fee and no reservation to enter.
- Lehman Caves: ticketed ranger tours only, reserved on recreation.gov — they sell out in peak season.
When to go
July to September is the season for the high country: the scenic drive is fully open and the lakes are snow-free. June and October are possible but snow can close the upper road. Lehman Caves is open all year. Nights are cold even in summer at the upper campgrounds.
Getting there
The park is just outside Baker, Nevada, near the Utah border: about 5 hours from Las Vegas and 4 from Salt Lake City. Fill the tank before you leave the last big town — services are few and far between on US-50 and US-6.
Where to stay in Great Basin
Lodging is scarce: a few motels and cabins in Baker, and campgrounds inside the park (reserved on recreation.gov).
Baker
$$$$Best for: being at the gate
A handful of small lodgings and a café, five minutes from the visitor center.
Hotels in Baker partner linkEly
$$$$Best for: more choice
An old mining town about an hour away, with hotels, restaurants and a historic railroad.
Hotels in Ely partner linkGreat Basin: your questions
Is Great Basin National Park free?
Yes, there is no entrance fee. Lehman Caves tours and campsites are paid.
Do you need reservations for Lehman Caves?
Tickets are required and reservations on recreation.gov are strongly recommended: tours sell out in peak season.
How old are the bristlecone pines?
Many are thousands of years old, among the oldest living trees on Earth. The rangers’ talks explain how they are dated.
When is Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive open?
The lower part is open most of the year; the upper part usually from around June to October, depending on snow.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Prices are in US dollars, before sales tax.