Know Before You Go, Great Basin National Park

Start Planning!

You’re about to go on an epic adventure to Great Basin National Park! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour has four starting points:
  • Ely: just south of the town of Highway 50
  • Pioche: just north of Patterson Pass Campground on Hwy 93
  • Garrison: Westbound on Grand Army of the Republic Hwy/ Hwy 6, just past the Skull Rock Pass
  • Garrison: Northbound on Ely Hwy 21, just past Lime Point.
• Entrances do not have the same stops
• Great Basin National Park is open 24 hours a day.
• Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee.
• The Lehman Caves should be reserved in advance.
• Early summer offers ideal conditions with snow-capped summits and meltwater-fed creeks.
• Great Basin National Park is less crowded than other parks.
• Bring plenty of water.
• Hiking Wheeler Peak includes passing through snowpack and glacial ice. 

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs.

• Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee.
• The Lehman Caves tour requires tickets, which can be purchased in advance at recreation.gov. Sometimes, extra tickets are available at the Lehman Cave Visitor Center.

Hours of Operation 

The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.

• Baker Visitor Center
  • Summer Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Fall Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Early winter hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • December-Spring: Closed
• Mountain View Nature Trail - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Great Basin Café - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Rhodes Cabin - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The rest of the stops follow standard park hours.

Get Packing!

Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, tall
• Layered clothing
• Lightweight jacket
• Water bottles and water
• Hiking/walking sticks
• Binoculars/telescope
• Long exposure camera

Best Time to Visit 

• Visit in early summer for snow-capped summits, flowing streams, and blooming wildflowers. Warm temperatures vary by elevation.
• Great Basin offers peaceful experiences without big crowds due to its smaller size and lesser-known status.
• Early fall and late spring are also good, though cooler, with fewer wildflowers and less snowmelt.
• Winter isn’t ideal as Wheeler Peak Drive is snow-covered and closed to vehicles.

Safety Information 

• Great Basin is a dry and arid desert. Bring plenty of water. Also, be aware that hiking Wheeler Peak includes passing through snowpack and glacial ice. So be prepared.

Leave No Trace

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders. 

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.