5 days of adventure in Great Basin National Park
Discover Great Basin National Park's beauty with this five-day summer itinerary featuring alpine hikes, stargazing, and a journey into the depths of Lehman Caves. Enjoy the wildness of this remote Nevada national park where some of the oldest trees in the world and one of the southernmost glaciers in the United States can be found.
Days 1 and 2
:
Alpine lakes & Wheeler Peak
Hike and stargaze
Begin your trip at the Great Basin National Park Visitor Center. Learn about the park’s geology, history, and ecosystems, and get information about park conditions. Set up camp at one of the park’s many campgrounds and then enjoy a moderate hike to Stella and Teresa Lakes.
Hike to Wheeler Peak
Start early for a challenging but rewarding 8.6-mile roundtrip hike to Wheeler Peak, the second-highest mountain in Nevada at 13,063 feet.
Day 3
:
Exploring Lehman Caves
Take a ranger-guided cave tour
Visit Lehman Caves, the longest cave system in Nevada, filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and rare shield formations. This cave is open seasonally. Check in with the park for hours and availability.
Catch an evening astronomy program
In the summer, visit the Astronomy Amphitheater for a ranger-led program about this park’s dark skies. Many programs feature telescope viewings.
Days 4 and 5
:
Ancient bristlecone pines and glaciers
Baker Lake hike
Spend a full day hiking the 10.4 miles to Baker Lake, one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the park, surrounded by bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living trees in the world.
Bristlecone & Glacier Trail
If your legs aren't too sore from yesterday's hike, spend your final day on the Bristlecone & Glacier Trail, (4.8 miles roundtrip) with spectacular alpine views, the only glacier in Nevada, and a large bristlecone pine grove.
Wheeler Scenic Drive and departure
Take in the views on a last drive of Wheeler Scenic Drive, pack up your campsite, and depart.
Optional add-on
Lexington Arch
See one one of the tallest limestone arches in the world at the end of this 5.6 mile hike. The trailhead is located on BLM land, south of the park.
Visit Smart
Reserve now
Make camping and cave tour reservations well in advance, as they often fill up during the summer months.
Watch the weather
Mountain weather can change rapidly. Be prepared for cold temperatures at high elevations, even in summer.
Be prepared
This wild Nevada national park is very remote and has limited cell service and amenities. Get your supplies and gear ahead of time.
Leave no trace
Great Basin National Park is located on the traditional lands of the Western Shoshone, Goshute, Ute, Paiute, and Washoe peoples. Respect the park’s cultural and natural heritage.
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