Great Basin National Park

Overview

Located in the shadow of 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park, and the larger region it is encompassed by, offer an unexpected diversity in both landforms and living things. Ranging in elevation from 5,000 - 13,000 feet, you'll find mountains, deserts, creeks, springs, caves, playas, rock formations, fossils, and even a lone glacier. Come to Great Basin National Park to experience the smell of sagebrush after a storm, the solitude of the desert, the darkest of night skies, and the beauty of Lehman Caves. Far from a wasteland, the Great Basin is a diverse region awaiting exploration.

The variety of natural features and ecosystems found within Great Basin National Park is surprising to many first-time visitors as the park has often been stereotyped as uninteresting and barren. But once off the beaten path, it doesn't take long to discover that this rugged landscape, with its desert valleys and snowcapped peaks, houses much more than meets the eye. Because the Great Basin exhibits such dramatic changes in elevation from its valleys to its peaks, the region supports an impressive variety of animal and plant species, from those adapted to the desert to those adapted to forest and alpine environments.

The story of the Great Basin is not just one of geology and landforms, but also of people as this region has been home to American Indians for thousands of years. In more recent times, farmers and ranchers, Mormons and sheepherders, have all inhabited the Great Basin adding to the rich history and culture of the park.

Visiting Tips

Visitor Centers

• Lehman Caves Visitor Center - Open daily: 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Great Basin Visitor Center - Open daily in summer: 8:00am to 5:00pm

Fees and Passes

• Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee.

Camping & Lodging

All park camping is on a first come, first serve basis. No reservations can be made, with the exception of the Grey Cliffs Group Campground.

Click here for more information on camping in the park.

Other Activities

Whether stopping by the visitor center, touring the Lehman Caves, enjoying a picnic lunch after a short day hike, or heading into the backcountry for an overnight stay, Great Basin offers endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Be sure to check out the list of things to do when planning your visit to the park.

Lehman Caves may only be entered with a guided tour. Park rangers lead all tours, explaining the history, ecology, and geology of the beautiful marble caves. Cave tours are offered daily. Click here for more information on the tours.