Great Basin National Park in Nevada
is home to some of the oldest living things on earth, the Bristlecone
Pines. These magnificent trees grow in the parks high, alpine
altitudes, just one of the many ecosystems found on the 200,000
square miles that the park contains. This relatively uncrowded
park on the border of Utah and Nevada is full of lakes, streams,
mountains, caves and desert, and other settings for outdoor adventure
waiting to be explored.
Hiking in the Great Basin National Park is especially enjoyable
thank to the many nature trails found there. The Alpine Lakes
Loop Trail is a brisk 1.4-mile hike to a beautiful Bristlecone
Grove. The trek up Wheeler Peak’s 13,063-foot summit will
bring hikers to glacial lakes, lovely countryside and a permanent
ice field.
The Leman Caves can be explored with an hour’s guided tour.
The ancient rock formations in these caverns have developed over
thousands of years. The caves are also home to specialized flora
and fauna that spend their entire lifecycle in these caves. Call
ahead for tour tickets at (775) 234-7331.
There are plenty of opportunities for anglers in Nevada’s
Great Basin National Park. Two of the five lakes in the park and
three of the creeks contain fish. Baker Lake is excellent for
cutthroat trout and brook trout thrive in Johnson. Snake, Baker
and Lehman Creeks are chock full of rainbow trout and the occasional
catfish.
In the winter Great Basin National Park has trails for both cross-country
and downhill skiing. Wheeler Park Scenic Drive has miles of road
for the former, while Lehman Creek’s challenging runs should
satisfy visitors’ desires for the latter.
There are four developed campground in Great Basin National Park,
one of which is open year-round. Backcountry camping doesn’t
require a permit, but guests of the park are strongly encouraged
to register at the Visitors Center on NV hwy 488, 5 ½ miles
from the town of Baker.
