Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Great Basin National Park, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Nevada, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Great Basin high desert + subalpine
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Great Basin high desert + subalpine
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: hiking
Topic summary
Wheeler Peak, ancient bristlecone pines, and Lehman Caves in Nevada's high desert — some of the darkest night skies in the country.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
- hiking
- camping
- backpacking
Climate suitability
Great Basin high desert + subalpine
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Great Basin National Park trip tools
How to get there
Great Basin National Park is in Nevada, USA, United States. Its center point is 38.9833, -114.3000. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
- Lehman Caves
The park’s guided cave-tour destination. Reserve a tour through Recreation.gov and confirm current offerings. Visitors with wheelchair-access needs should contact park staff before booking.
- Wheeler Peak Campground
A camping location to check when planning a mountain-focused visit. Confirm its current status with the National Park Service because it is subject to seasonal closure.
Popular pursuits at Great Basin National Park
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
Animals around Great Basin National Park
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Great Basin National ParkAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Great Basin National Park
Planning to fish Great Basin National Park, Nevada? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Nevada are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Great Basin National Park?
- A Nevada fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Nevada fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Great Basin National Park may add its own fishing rules on top of Nevada law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near Great Basin National Park
Thinking about hunting Great Basin National Park, Nevada? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Nevada are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Great Basin National Park?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Great Basin National Park land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Nevada?
- A Nevada hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A high mountain in eastern Nevada
Great Basin National Park contains Wheeler Peak, the tallest mountain in Nevada’s Snake Range and White Pine County. Its summit reaches 13,065 feet (3,982 meters), making it Nevada’s second-highest peak after Boundary Peak. That elevation is an important planning consideration: leave room to adjust mountain plans to weather, fitness, and how well everyone handles altitude. Wheeler Peak also has 7,563 feet (2,305 meters) of topographic prominence, a measure of its rise above the surrounding terrain. The mountain was named for George Wheeler, who led the Wheeler Survey in the late nineteenth century. For a visit centered on the mountain, confirm current access and route conditions with the National Park Service before choosing an outing; summit elevation alone does not establish a route’s length or difficulty.
Choosing a Lehman Caves tour
Lehman Caves offers guided outings with different durations and age requirements, so choose the tour before building the rest of the day around it. The Gothic Palace Tour lasts 30 minutes and allows children under five. The Lodge Room Tour lasts 60 minutes and also allows children of all ages. The Grand Palace Tour lasts 90 minutes, but children under five are not allowed. Confirm which tours are currently offered before booking. Accessibility needs require a separate conversation with park staff: the First Room Accessible Tour uses a historic entrance tunnel that is not ADA-approved, and wheelchair access is not guaranteed. A companion must assist visitors using non-motorized wheelchairs down a steep grade; rangers cannot propel wheelchairs, and the park does not supply them.
Reservations, payment, and practical planning
Great Basin National Park charges no entrance fee and does not require an entrance pass. Cave tours are separate: annual passes do not cover their fees, although Senior and Access pass holders qualify for discounts on eligible tours for the cardholder only. Reservations through Recreation.gov are strongly recommended because spaces are limited and tours sell out during peak season. Park purchases are cashless, so bring a credit or debit card. Book enough tickets for everyone, including children and toddlers where required by the selected tour. Before planning an overnight stay, check the status of Wheeler Peak Campground, which is subject to seasonal closure. Keep cave reservations and mountain plans distinct: a booked underground outing does not establish whether mountain access or camping is available.
Route options
- Gothic Palace Tour
A 30-minute guided Lehman Caves tour permitting children of all ages. Tickets cost $8 for adults ages 16 and older and $4 for ages 5–15; children under five are free but still need tickets. Confirm current availability.
- Lodge Room Tour
A 60-minute guided cave tour permitting children of all ages. Tickets cost $12 for adults ages 16 and older and $6 for ages 5–15; children under five are free but still need tickets. Confirm current availability.
- Grand Palace Tour
A 90-minute guided cave tour for visitors ages five and older. Tickets cost $15 for adults ages 16 and older and $8 for ages 5–15. Children under five are not allowed. Confirm current availability.
- Introduction to Wild Caving Tour
A three-hour outing restricted to adults ages 16 and older. Tickets cost $40 per person, and the tour is limited to eight participants. Confirm current availability and participation requirements before booking.
Sample itineraries
- Lehman Caves day · 1 day
Build a day around a reserved Lehman Caves tour. Choose among currently offered tours according to age restrictions, mobility needs, and time underground. The Gothic Palace Tour lasts 30 minutes; the Grand Palace Tour lasts 90 minutes and excludes children under five.
- Caves and Wheeler Peak planning · 2 days
Spend the first day touring Lehman Caves. Use the second for a mountain outing appropriate to current conditions and your experience around Wheeler Peak. Confirm routes and access with park staff beforehand; the 13,065-foot summit requires a different level of preparation than a cave visit.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Check current mountain weather and access before planning around Wheeler Peak. Its 13,065-foot elevation makes conditions at your intended elevation more useful than a general seasonal forecast. Confirm which cave tours are operating.
Summer
Summer
Reserve a cave tour rather than relying on walk-up availability: tours sell out during peak season. For mountain outings, check the elevation-specific forecast and carry layers rather than assuming warm conditions throughout the park.
Fall
Fall
Confirm mountain access, campground status, and current cave offerings before finalizing plans. Wheeler Peak Campground has a seasonal closure; check its status rather than assuming it is available for an overnight stay.
Winter
Winter
Treat Wheeler Peak as a high-elevation mountain objective, not a routine extension of a cave visit. Ask park staff about current access and conditions, and confirm cave tour availability before traveling.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Check current mountain weather and access before planning around Wheeler Peak. Its 13,065-foot elevation makes conditions at your intended elevation more useful than a general seasonal forecast. Confirm which cave tours are operating. |
| Summer | Summer | Reserve a cave tour rather than relying on walk-up availability: tours sell out during peak season. For mountain outings, check the elevation-specific forecast and carry layers rather than assuming warm conditions throughout the park. |
| Fall | Fall | Confirm mountain access, campground status, and current cave offerings before finalizing plans. Wheeler Peak Campground has a seasonal closure; check its status rather than assuming it is available for an overnight stay. |
| Winter | Winter | Treat Wheeler Peak as a high-elevation mountain objective, not a routine extension of a cave visit. Ask park staff about current access and conditions, and confirm cave tour availability before traveling. |
Permits, fees & closures
No entrance pass is required for Great Basin National Park. Cave tours require tickets for every participant, including children and toddlers on tours that allow them. Confirm any activity-specific permit requirements with the National Park Service.
Fees: Park entry is free. Gothic Palace: adults 16+ $8, ages 5–15 $4, under five free. Grand Palace: adults $15, ages 5–15 $8; under five not allowed. Annual passes do not cover cave tours. Purchases require a credit or debit card.
Reservations: Reserve Lehman Caves tours through Recreation.gov. Reservations are strongly recommended; spaces are limited and all tours sell out during peak season. Confirm currently offered tours before choosing. Everyone in the party needs a ticket.
Official source: Fees & Passes - Great Basin National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Wheeler Peak reaches 13,065 feet. Allow for the effects of altitude, pace conservatively, and turn back if you feel unwell.
- Mountain weather deserves separate preparation from a cave visit. Check conditions at your intended elevation and carry protective layers.
- The Lehman Caves entrance tunnel has a steep grade and is not ADA-approved. Wheelchair access is not guaranteed, and rangers cannot propel wheelchairs.
- Young children may become distressed underground. A ranger may remove a disruptive child and accompanying adult from a tour; choose the tour with the child's comfort in mind.
What to pack for Great Basin National Park
- Warm layers
- Weather-resistant outer layer
- Water
- Food
- Footwear suited to the confirmed route
- Credit or debit card
- Tour reservation confirmation
- Tickets for every participant
- Senior or Access Pass if claiming an eligible discount
Great Basin National Park FAQ
- Is there an entrance fee?
- No. Great Basin National Park is free to enter and requires no entrance pass. Lehman Caves tours have separate per-person charges.
- Which cave tours allow children under five?
- Gothic Palace, Parachute Shield, and Lodge Room tours allow children under five without a tour fee, but they still need tickets. Grand Palace does not allow them. Introduction to Wild Caving is restricted to ages 16 and older. Confirm current offerings before booking.
- Can wheelchair users visit Lehman Caves?
- The First Room Accessible Tour may be available depending on staffing, but access is not guaranteed. The historic entrance tunnel is not ADA-approved. A companion must assist non-motorized wheelchair users down the steep grade. Rangers cannot propel wheelchairs, and the park does not provide them.
- What makes Wheeler Peak significant?
- At 13,065 feet, Wheeler Peak is Nevada's second-highest peak and the highest mountain in the Snake Range. It lies within Great Basin National Park.
- Do park passes cover cave tours?
- Annual passes do not cover cave tour fees. Senior and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on the listed standard cave tours for the cardholder only, not the entire group.
- Can an overnight plan rely on Wheeler Peak Campground?
- Confirm its current status first. Wheeler Peak Campground has a seasonal closure, so an overnight itinerary should not assume it is open.