Planning Your Trip to Great Basin National Park

As the calendar turns into May, we look forward to the 2025 visitor season at Great Basin National Park. While there are still concerns regarding the Park’s operating budget, normal levels of services are expected for visitors this summer. Keep reading for the latest updates.

Campgrounds:

Upper Lehman Creek Campground (23 sites) is currently open. Wheeler Peak, Baker Creek, and Gray Cliffs, will be opening soon. With vault toilets, picnic tables, tent space/pads, and campfire grills, these developed campsites are available by reservation only at recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777. Reservations for camping open up 30 days in advance at 7 am pacific time.

Road Updates:

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is open to Mather Overlook. It’s been a dry year, so the full road should be open before Memorial Day weekend.

Strawberry Creek Road, Baker Creek Road, and Snake Creek Road are fully open. Remember to check the Park’s website for the most current information.

Lehman Caves Tours:

For the moment two reservable tours are offered daily, and two walk-up tours. But starting Memorial Day, there will be 10-11 tours each day. Reserve your tour up to 30 days in advance on recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777. Tickets for walk-up tours can be picked up the day of the tour at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center information desk. We recommend asking at the visitor center the day ahead for details.

Dump Station

The dump station will open once overnight temperatures are above freezing.

Astronomy Programs

If all goes according to plan, the Park will offer astronomy programs beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Great Basin National Park Foundation Recommendation

Here is a shortlist for planning an amazing trip to the Park!

• Stay at least two nights while at the Park
• Schedule your Lehman Caves tour to be on the day you arrive or the day you depart
• Plan your trip to fall over a Wed, Thursday or Saturday night – to hopefully make an astronomy program possible (the schedule isn’t in place yet, but this is when programs occurred last year)
• Spend your middle day in the Wheeler Peak cirque, hiking either to Stella and Teresa lakes, or the Bristlecone pine grove, or the Rock Glacier, or all four!
• Need accommodations? Make reservations early, here is a great website to learn more.
• While June, July, and August are the most popular times at the Park, September – November can be a great time to visit as well.

Photo: Exploring the Bristlecone Pine grove in the Wheeler Peak cirque at Great Basin National Park.