Great Basin National Park Itinerary: 4 Days in Nevada’s Most Remote Park
Planning a Great Basin National Park itinerary? You’re in for something special, and something genuinely different from any other national park you’ve visited. Located in the remote Snake Range of eastern Nevada, Great Basin is one of the least visited national parks in the country, and that’s exactly what makes it extraordinary.
Snow-capped peaks, ancient Bristlecone Pines, a cave system you descend into on a guided tour, and some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states. This is all waiting for you in a place most people drive right past (or don’t even drive near).
We spent 4 days here as part of a longer Nevada road trip after visiting Lake Tahoe, and Great Basin genuinely surprised us. Here’s exactly how to plan your visit, what to hike, and how to make the most of your time at one of America’s most underrated national parks.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park
The best time to visit Great Basin National Park is during the summer months. Fall and winter bring intense snow and harsh weather. Spring is a toss-up, but summer is excellent for hiking and exploring.
If you go too early, many of the roads into the higher elevation areas will be closed. We traveled here during mid-June, and it was almost perfect. The weather was ideal for hiking – 60s and 70s. However, Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive was closed until our last day on June 16th! We had to alter our plans significantly, but we still had an amazing time.
For the best hiking and exploring options, we recommend planning your Great Basin National Park itinerary in late June, July, or August.
Great Basin National Park Itinerary At A Glance
| Day 1 – Driving Day | Travel Day from Lake Tahoe Rest in Baker, NV |
| Day 2 – GBNP – Lehman Creek Trail, Osceola Ditch | Rest in Baker, NV |
| Day 3 – GBNP – Baker Lake Trail, Pole Canyon | Rest in Baker, NV |
| Day 4 – GBNP – Lehman Caves, Alpine Lakes Loop, Drive to Reno, NV | Rest in Reno, NV |
| Day 5 | Travel Day |
| Closest Airports | Salt Lake City International Airport Harry Reid International Airport |
The map above includes a numbered itinerary in order of places visited in Great Basin National Park, starting in Reno, NV, at Lake Tahoe. Each day is color-coded with hikes and activities that we recommend. Sometimes it helps to see a visual overview of where you’re headed!
How Much Does A Trip To Lake Tahoe Cost?
It’s always great to get a nice ballpark for the cost of a vacation, right? This cost breakdown is based on our trip here in 2023, so costs have likely increased a bit. This section includes most of the major costs except for food and gas.
| Category | Budget Range (2 people) | Notes |
| Flights | $800 | Varies widely by departure city; book early |
| Rental Car | $500 | Book pay-later so you can reprice; see our rental car guide |
| Hotels/Accommodations | $480 | Our Airbnb was around $160 a night. 3 nights total. |
| Activities & Tours | $50 | Budget for the cave tours. |
| Estimated Total | $1,830 |
The biggest variable here is the flight cost, which probably depends on which airport you decide to fly into.
Essential Planning Tips
Things to Know
- There is no entrance fee for Great Basin National Park! However, cave tours and campground reservations are available for purchase.
- Book your Lehman Cave Tour reservations as early as you can. These can be purchased online here!
- Great Basin National Park is very remote. It’s 6 hours from Reno, NV, 4 hours from Salt Lake City, UT, and 4.5 hours from Las Vegas, NV!
- If coming from the west, stop in Ely, NV, to stock up on all the goods you’ll need for your trip. There are minimal restaurant options in Baker, NV, but all excellent options as needed.
- Stay as close to the park as you can to save time. It’s about 1 hour to Ely, NV, from the Lehman Caves area and Baker, NV. We stayed right off Route 50, about 20 minutes from Baker, NV, and it was perfect!
- There is a general store and one gas pump in Baker, NV. You will need a credit card for this pump as it is unmanned. Have you ever seen such a thing? A gas station with no staff!
- Great Basin National Park gets a good amount of snow each year. Depending on when you travel here, the trails listed below may still be snow-covered or impassible.
- Before you go, verify that Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is open. It typically opens around Memorial Day but varies by snowpack year to year.
- Get to all trailheads early to guarantee parking.
- Thunderstorms are frequent here in the summer months. Pay very close attention to the weather forecasts and seek shelter immediately if caught in a storm.
- Don’t forget to Leave No Trace!
Rental Car
- Expert tip: We usually book our rental car super early as a pay later option. If you do this, you can continuously check the prices before your trip. If the price is lower than when you booked, cancel for free and rebook for the lower price! Most major rental car companies have free cancellation on pay later bookings, but always check the fine print.
- Make sure to take a video of the outside AND inside of the car before you leave the rental car lot. This will save you from any damage claims made by the rental car company after your return. We know from a very bad experience on this! Learn what happens if you damage your rental car and how to prevent it.
đźš— Discover prices and options on rental cars for your trip by visiting Booking.com or Expedia.
Day 1 – The Loneliest Road in America
First, Day 1 is a travel day to get you to Great Basin National Park. If traveling based on our Lake Tahoe Itinerary, this trip begins from South Lake Tahoe, CA. We won’t lie, this drive is LONG. The fact that it’s on The Loneliest Road in America might just make it seem longer.
That being said, you are traveling to one of the most remote national parks, and that is totally worth it! There are a few stops you can make along the drive from Reno, NV to Baker, NV:
- Fallon, NV – a great place to stock up on food, snacks, gas, and other items you may need.
- Austin, NV – a side trip to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is an option, but it will add drive time.
- Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area – this is a great stop! It’s right off Route 50. This is a great place to get out and stretch your legs about halfway through the drive across Nevada.
- Eureka, NV – this is a very cool historic town. Gas and food options are available.
- Ely, NV – north of Ely is the McGill Drugstore Museum. Ely has plenty of services available as well.
Alright, you made it to Baker, NV! Hopefully, you were able to stock up on all the supplies needed for your trip while passing through Ely. Now, settle into your accommodations and get ready for some awesome adventures over the next 3 days.
Day 2 – Lehman Creek Trail & Osceola Ditch Trail
Wait a minute. Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is closed past Mather Overlook?!
If you find yourself in the same situation as us, take a hike on the Lehman Creek Trail. One of the best Great Basin National Park hikes, this trail is 7 miles out and back and is a great introduction to the hiking scene here. This hike is fairly strenuous, gaining about 2,000 feet in elevation, but it has amazing views of the mountains.
We saw tons of wildflowers on this hike and basically had the entire trail to ourselves. This hike ends at the Wheeler Peak Campground, so if you hike this trail while Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is still closed, you’ll likely be the only people up there!
Second, explore one of the easiest Great Basin National Park hikes: the Osceola Ditch Trail. This trail is a former flume for gold mining and produced 3.5 million dollars worth of gold! Begin this trail along the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
It’s mostly flat and offers some nice views of the area. Hike as little or as much of this trail as you’d like. It was not our top choice, but with the road being closed, it still offered a chance for us to get out on the trails.
End your day with a visit to Mather Overlook, where you will have excellent views of Doso Doyabi and Wheeler Peak! This scenic overlook is located at the 8-mile mark along Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. Finally, head back to Baker for a bite to eat at one of the unique local restaurants.
đź“ŚSee our post with more details on How to Hike Lehman Creek Trail and Osceola Ditch at Great Basin National Park.
Day 3 – Baker Lake Trail & Pole Canyon
Next up on your 4-day itinerary is a day exploring 2 Great Basin National Park hikes near the Baker Creek area of the park. First, hike on the Baker Lake Trail. This trail is 10 miles out and back and offers a trip along a mountain stream and through pine forests.
Areas of green meadows full of wildflowers await you as you journey 2,500 feet up into the mountains. Due to the heavy snowpack as we entered the higher elevations of this trail, we had to turn around as the snow was too deep to keep going.
If that is the case for you, head back the way you came and take the Baker Lake-South Fork Baker Creek Connector Trail to link up with a different trail to experience on your way back to the parking lot.
Next, take a hike into Pole Canyon. Initially, this trail is mostly flat with some slight incline. Stay on the trail, which will lead you along a stream with plenty of wildflowers and thick pine forests. Eventually, the trail opens up into Pole Canyon, where you’ll feel as though you are hiking in a bowl.
This is an out-and-back trail, so once you have hiked as far as you want, turn around and head back the way you came. Before starting this trail, we had to wait out a fairly intense thunderstorm.
However, it passed relatively quickly, but we only hiked about half of this trail before turning back as it appeared that more storms were quickly brewing!
🥾For more details on two more Great Basin National Park hikes, check out A Guide on Hiking Baker Lake Trail and Pole Canyon at Great Basin National Park.
Day 4 – Lehman Caves, Alpine Lakes Loop, & Drive to Reno
Finally, spend the last day of your Great Basin National Park itinerary exploring caves and alpine lakes. Head to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center to pick up your tickets. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour time to complete a screening for White-Nose Syndrome.
This screening is mandatory. Please do not wear clothing or shoes that have entered another cave. We booked the Grand Palace Tour, and it was great!
At last! The Wheeler Peak Scenic Road is fully open. Of course, this would happen on the day we had to leave and drive back to Reno! We decided we could not miss it.
You’ll gain over 4,000 feet as you drive 12 miles up through the mountains to the alpine region of the park. Travel through sagebrush, Pinyon Pine, Mountain Mahogany, and Aspen trees. This is a great drive, even if you don’t plan to hike.
We tried to visit some of the oldest trees on the planet – the Bristlecone Pine. However, the snowpack had other plans for us!
Some of the most scenic Great Basin National Park hikes are located here in the alpine region of the park. The Bristlecone Pines at Great Basin are over 4,000 years old, making them among the oldest living organisms on Earth. This is one section of the park that you can’t skip.
➡️Visit How to Explore Lehman Caves and Alpine Lakes at Great Basin National Park for more details.
After this hike, it’s time to drive the 6 hours back to Reno, NV. Gas up, get some road snacks in Ely, and be on your way.
🛏️ Don’t want to camp? Check out your options for accommodations in Ely, Nevada.
Stargazing at Great Basin National Park: Viewing the Milky Way
Great Basin National Park is an amazing place to view the Milky Way and stargaze. Be sure to plan your trip here during a new moon or as close as possible for the best viewing of the night sky. Great Basin National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, and visitors are rewarded with some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states.
There are many opportunities to view the night sky here, but make sure you bring a great DSLR or mirrorless camera to capture the best shots. The best locations for night sky viewing include:
- Astronomy Amphitheater – near the Lehman Caves Visitor Center
- Mather Overlook
- Anywhere else with little to no lights nearby!
Great Basin National Park also holds astronomy programs during the summer months. Put one of these activities on your Great Basin National Park itinerary! Check out the website here to learn more.
Times vary, programs are free, but have a maximum capacity. Another option in the area is to take a ride on the one-of-a-kind Star Train. The train rides sell out quickly, so you will want to book in advance. Check out the Northern Nevada Railway for more information.
Where to Stay Near Great Basin National Park
Let’s be real here! With Great Basin National Park being so remote, there are limited accommodations near the park. However, if you are camping, there are many options inside and near the park.
We chose to stay at an Airbnb close to Baker, NV. Below are some nearby hotels and other places to stay near Ely, NV. Note that Ely is a 1-hour+ drive time to Great Basin National Park.
- Prospector Hotel and Gambling Hall – this western-themed hotel has a casino, restaurant, and is pet-friendly. Book now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ely – breakfast included at this nice hotel in town! Check out the rates on Expedia and Booking.com.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ely, an IHG hotel – close to the Ghost Train of Old Ely and breakfast included. Top-rated by guests who have stayed here. Reserve your room on Expedia or Booking.com.
- If you really want to stay close to the park and enjoy those dark skies, check out VRBO!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Basin National Park worth visiting?
Without a doubt, and we say that as people who have many national parks. Great Basin consistently surprises first-time visitors. The combination of underground caves, alpine lakes, ancient Bristlecone Pines, and some of the darkest skies in North America makes it genuinely unlike any other park we’ve been to. The remoteness that puts people off is exactly what makes it special.
How many days do you need at Great Basin National Park?
Four days is ideal and gives you time to hike the major trails, tour Lehman Caves, drive Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, and spend at least one night stargazing. If you only have 2-3 days, prioritize Lehman Caves and the Alpine Lakes Loop. Those are the two experiences most unique to Great Basin that you can’t replicate anywhere else.
What is the closest airport to Great Basin National Park?
There is no nearby commercial airport. Great Basin is genuinely remote. The closest options are Salt Lake City International Airport (about 4 hours east), Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (about 4.5 hours south), and Reno-Tahoe International Airport (about 6 hours west). We flew into and out of Reno and combined the trip with Lake Tahoe, which made the long drive well worth it.
Is there cell service at Great Basin National Park?
Very limited to none. Baker, NV has minimal service, and inside the park, you should expect to be largely off the grid. Download your maps offline before you leave Ely or Salt Lake City, save your reservation confirmations locally, and let someone know your plans before you head out.
What makes Great Basin National Park unique?
Three things you won’t find combined anywhere else: Lehman Caves: one of the most decorated limestone caves in the Great Basin; Bristlecone Pines that are over 4,000 years old and among the oldest living organisms on Earth; and some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States. It’s a park where you genuinely feel like you’ve found something most people have overlooked.
Is a Great Basin National Park Itinerary Worth the Drive?
Yes! This park is SO underrated. Due to the fact that it is so remote, we felt as though we were the only ones in the park for most of the trip. Plus, as you can see from the picture above, the night skies are unmatched!
The one thing that really bummed us out most was the fact that Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive was not fully open. Traditionally, the drive usually opens around Memorial Day, but we were the unlucky travelers this round! Try to plan your trip when the road will for sure be open because this is a must on your Great Basin National Park itinerary.
We would have loved to complete more Great Basin National Park hikes in the alpine region. That being said, we had a really nice time here and enjoyed all of the hikes we chose to complete, even though we didn’t get to see a Bristlecone Pine.
This amazing national park should definitely be on your bucket list! This trip will look different for everyone, but using our epic Great Basin National Park itinerary will give you a solid foundation to plan your own trip and explore even further.
If you are looking for more fun adventures, be sure to check out our other itineraries, and don’t forget to book your stay in Ely, NV at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning! Just click the save button located on any image.
