From the sagebrush at its alluvial base to the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park includes streams, lakes, alpine plants, abundant wildlife, a variety of forest types including groves of ancient bristlecone pines, and numerous limestone caverns, including beautiful Lehman Caves.
CONTACTS
Email - grba_interpretation@nps.gov
Fax- 775-234-7269
Write to
Great Basin National Park
Hwy. 488
Baker, NV 89311
Phone
Visitor Information - (775) 234-7331
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons
Daily, Summer: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific; Daily, Winter: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Pacific; Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Lehman Cave tours are offered daily year-round. In the winter, the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is only open to the Upper Lehman Creek Campground and Lehman Creek Trailhead. Opening dates of the higher portions of the road depend on weather. The road usually opens for the summer season starting in May, June or early July. It usually closes by late October or November.
Getting There
PLANE - The nearest airport is loctaed in Cedar City, Utah, 120 miles away. Major airports are found in Salt Lake City (240 miles) and Las Vegas (287 miles.)
CAR - From the east or west: from U.S. Highway 6 & 50, turn south on Nevada State Highway 487 and travel 5 miles to Baker, NV; in Baker turn west on Highway 488 to the park.
From the south: Travel north on Utah State Highway 21 which will become Nevada State Highway 487 as you cross the border; turn west on Highway 488 in the town of Baker.
BUS -
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - None
Weather & Climate
This is a fairly arid region with most precipitation received during winter snows or summer thunderstorms. Winters are generally cool and summers are generally mild; however, weather conditions can change rapidly, especially at the higher elevations. Be prepared for all types of weather. Lehman Caves is 50 degrees F, 90% humidity year round, a jacket and suitable walking shoes are recommended.
Accessibility
Upper Lehman Creek, Wheeler Peak, and Baker Creek Campgrounds have a designated wheelchair accessible site. The visitor center is wheelchair accessible as is the First Room Tour of Lehman Caves.
Getting Around
The Wheeler Peak Scenic drive is 12 miles long with an 8% grade. Vehicles longer than 24 feet are not recommended to travel beyond the Upper Lehman Creek Campground. The road is closed beyond this campground in the winter. The Baker Creek Road is a 3.6 mile gravel road. This road is closed in winter.
CAMPING
*Grey Gliffs Group Campground
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Elevation is 7115 ft. (2160 meters) This group campsite is open May through November, weather permitting. A campfire is allowed in one campfire ring only. The campsite has pit toilets and no potable water. Water jugs can be filled at the Baker Creek Campground or the RV dumpstation. RV's are not recommended due to space constraints.
For More Information on this campground please call (775) 234-7331 ext. 213
Baker Creek Campground
Baker Creek Campground, at 7,700 feet (2,350 meters), contains 32 campsites, 2 of which are wheelchair accessible, and pit toilets. It is 3 miles from Visitor Center on a gravel road. Water is available in summer only.
Lower Lehman Creek Campground
Open All Year
Lower Lehman Creek Campground, at 7,300 feet (2200 meters), contains 11 campsites, pit toilets, and a limited number of pull-through sites for small RV's and trailers. It is 2.5 miles from Visitor Center off the paved scenic drive. Lower Lehman Campground is open all year, but water available in summer only.
Upper Lehman Creek Campground
Upper Lehman Campground is located 3 miles from the Visitors Center off the Scenic Drive at 7,800 feet (2,400 meters). It contains 24 campsites, pit toilets, and 1 wheelchair accessible site. Water is available in summer only.
Wheeler Peak Campground
Wheeler Peak Campground is located at 9,950 feet (3,000 meters) at the end of the scenic drive, just over 12 miles from the Visitors Center. It contains 37 sites (one wheelchair accessible), and pit toilets. The road to the campground is narrow and curvy and climbs an 8% grade 12 miles. RV's and trailers are not recommended. Water is available in summer only. No water available at this time.
FACILITIES
VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Phone - (775) 234-7331
Location - The Visitor Center is located on NV Hwy. 488, 5.5 miles from the town of Baker, and half a mile inside the park boundary.
Closures - The Visitor Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Special Programs - Regularly scheduled tours of Lehman Caves are offered year round. Tours may be 30, 60 or 90 minutes in duration. Longer tours go further along the same route. The 30 minute tour visits only the Gothic Palace. Distance for the 90 minute tour is 0.54 miles. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted on the 90 minute cave tour. Nightly campfire programs, daily guided Bristlecone hikes, and weekend kid's programs are offered Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Exhibits - The Visitor Center exhibits include cave formations, ancient bristlecone pines, plant communities and seasonal exhibits.
Available Facilities - The Visitor Center houses exhibits, two short audiovisual presentations, the Great Basin Natural History Association bookstore (775-234-7270), and a concession gift shop and cafe (775-234-7221).
Baker Shoshone Trail, White Pine County
, 9 miles away, 14.4 hiking miles, 4018 feet elevation difference
Cave Lake State Park, Nevada
, 39 miles away
