Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park: A Hidden Gem in Nevada

Great Basin National Park is one of the lesser-known national parks in the United States, but it offers a variety of natural and cultural attractions for visitors like us. Located in east-central Nevada, near the Utah border, the park covers 77,180 acres of land that showcases the diversity of the Great Basin region, The drive to get to the park is not easy and covers hundreds of miles over empty and desolate ground covered with sage brush and dry earth. We started north from St. George on I-15 Freeway before changing to Highway 21, passing through the towns of Milford and Garrison, where we could see historic buildings and old mines. As you cross the border into Nevada, we entered the Great Basin, a vast region of mountains and valleys that covers most of the state. You will arrive at Baker, The trip is about 220 miles long and takes about four hours to drive.

The park is named after the Great Basin, which is the largest area of contiguous endorheic watersheds in North America. The region is bounded by the Wasatch Mountains to the east, the Sierra Nevada to the west, and the Snake River Plain to the north. The south rim is less distinct. The Great Basin includes most of Nevada, half of Utah, and sections of Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and California.

Bristlecone Pines

Perhaps my favorite park of our evening hike was finding the rare Bristlecone Pines. Great Basin National Park features a range of ecosystems and habitats, from sagebrush-covered foothills to alpine meadows and peaks. The park is home to 11 species of conifer trees and over 800 species of plants, some of which are endemic to the area. One of the most remarkable plants in the park is the Great Basin bristlecone pine, which is the oldest known living non-clonal organism in the world. Some of these ancient trees are over 5,000 years old and grow at the tree line near Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park at 13,063 feet.

Hiking in Great Basin National Park

We took the opportunity to complete on long hike in the evening just after setting up camp in the Upper Lehman Creek Campground. We wanted to stay at the Wheeler Campsites at 10,000 feet elevation, but they were closed just before our arrival. Our hike started at the wheeler Peak trailhead and took us by two alpine lakes and the Bristlecone Pines. It was about six miles and took a bit longer than two hours. All of the hike was at an altitude we had not been in a while, so it was a great workout.

Great Basin National Park is a hidden gem in Nevada that deserves more attention and appreciation from travelers who are looking for a unique and diverse experience in nature. The park offers something for everyone, whether it is hiking, caving, stargazing, or simply enjoying the solitude and beauty of the wilderness.

Camping and Stargazing

Great Basin National Park also boasts some of the darkest night skies in the contiguous United States, making it an ideal destination for stargazing and astronomy enthusiasts. The park offers free ranger-led astronomy programs every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from May through September. Visitors can also enjoy viewing the annular eclipse that will occur on October 14, 2023 at Great Basin National Park. We did not have time for a ranger lead program, but we did see some of the brightest stars we have ever seen.

After an evening of hiking, a night and early morning campfire and stargazing, we made an early start for the 450 mile drive to Idaho Falls, Idaho. The day was filled with a scenic road trip that took us through some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in the western United States. We hoped to stop in Twin Falls, Idaho and see the “Niagara of the West” Shoshone Falls, but the road was closed for repairs and we were turned away with just a mile to go. Not everything on this long road trip will be perfect, but we are creating perfect opportunities at least.

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