Copyright: National Park Service
Great Basin National Park
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Description - A remnant ice field on 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, an ancient bristlecone pine forest, 75-foot limestone Lexington Arch, and the tunnels and decorated galleries of Lehman Caves are the major features. The area has a multitude of recreational opportunities for its many visitors, these include wildlife viewing, nature study, fishing, camping, picnicking, walking and cave tours
Attractions
- 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. 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. A variety of hiking trails are available. Hiking times of different trails range from a half hour to several day trips. Trails lead to the summit of Wheeler Peak, an ancient bristlecone pine grove, the 75-foot-tall Lexington Arch, alpine lakes and historic features. 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 than shorter tours. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted on the 90 Minute Cave Tour. The First Room Tour visits only the Gothic Palace Room. The longest tour distance is 0.54 miles. Campfire programs, guided Bristlecone hikes, and kid's programs are offered Memorial Day to Labor Day. Limited motel accommodations are available in Baker, Nevada. The nearest cities are Ely, NV, 70 miles to the west and Delta,UT, 100 miles to the east. Four developed campgrounds provide water (in summer), restrooms, fire rings and picnic tables. The developed campgrounds do fill, especially on summer weekends. Primitive campgrounds along Strawberry Creek and Snake Creek provide fire rings and some have tables and pit toilets, but NO potable water. Only Lower Lehman Campground is open year round. Other campgrounds and primitive sites open as snow levels permit.
Recreation - The Great Basin National Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities throughout the year, these include: wildlife viewing, nature study, bird watching, camping, picnicking, walking, cave tours and fishing, Climate - This is a fairly arid region, most precipitation received as snow or during summer thunderstorms. Winters are cool and summers are mild. Be prepared for changes in weather. Lehman Caves is 50 degrees F, 90% humidity year round. Location -
The main park entrance is five miles west of Baker, NV, near the Nevada-Utah border. Driving distances in miles are Salt Lake City, 234 miles; Las Vegas, 286 miles; Reno, 385 miles and Cedar City, 142 miles. No public transportation is available to, or in, Great Basin National Park. Personal vehicles or commercial tours are necessary.
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