Great Basin National Park — Visitor Info

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Great Basin National Park protects Wheeler Peak, ancient bristlecone pine groves, and the marble passages of Lehman Caves in a remote stretch of eastern Nevada. Free to enter, with some of the darkest night skies in the Lower 48.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Lehman Cave tours sell out during peak season — reserve ahead on Recreation.gov rather than counting on a walk-up spot. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and its campground close seasonally with snow. Always check the official Great Basin Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Eastern Nevada, near Baker
Entrance Fee
None — cave tour tickets required separately
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No (cave tours strongly recommend a reservation)
Permit Needed For
Not required for backcountry camping; primitive/backcountry camping is free
Lodging
Five developed campgrounds; no lodges in-park
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Lehman Caves Visitor Center
The park's main visitor center — cave tour tickets, exhibits, and the dump station (seasonal, $10 fee).
Great Basin Visitor Center (Baker)
In the gateway town of Baker, a few miles from the park entrance — trip planning and exhibits.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Lehman Cave Tours

A per-person fee applies to all Lehman Cave tours (children under 5 free); the park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card. Options range from the 30-minute Gothic Palace Tour up to the 90-minute Grand Palace Tour and a 3-hour Introduction to Wild Caving tour. Annual passes do not cover cave tour fees, though Senior and Access passholders get a discount for themselves only. Tours sell out in peak season — reserve on Recreation.gov ahead of time.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee. Fees apply only to cave tours and camping (below). Because entry is free, America the Beautiful passes aren't required here but remain useful at other parks.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

Since Great Basin doesn't charge an entrance fee, the Every Kid Outdoors pass isn't needed here, but it's good for free entry at fee-charging parks elsewhere in the system.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park, day-hike, or camp in the backcountry (free, no permit required, though registering your route with a ranger is a good safety practice).

Campgrounds & RV Options

Lower Lehman Creek Campground
Open year-round; the best choice for RVs and trailers, with paved pull-through parking at several sites. RVs/trailers up to 40ft. $20/night, reserve on Recreation.gov.
Upper Lehman Creek Campground
Seasonal (roughly May–September). RVs/trailers up to 24ft. $20/night, reserve on Recreation.gov.
Wheeler Peak Campground
High elevation (nearly 10,000ft), seasonal, and the trailhead for Wheeler Peak. RVs/trailers up to 24ft — the steep access road isn't suited to larger rigs. $20/night, reserve on Recreation.gov.
Baker Creek Campground
Lower Loop takes RVs/trailers up to 50ft; the Upper Loop (sites 9–14) does not allow RVs or trailers at all. $20/night, reserve on Recreation.gov.
Grey Cliffs Campground (Group Sites)
Summer-only group sites (up to 16 people), $30/night. No RVs or trailers due to narrow, one-way dirt access roads.

Free primitive campgrounds without water are also available; check the official NPS primitive campgrounds page for current locations. All developed campground and cave tour fees require a credit/debit card — the park is cashless.

Good to Know

  • Some of the darkest skies in the Lower 48 — the park hosts astronomy programs and is a serious stargazing destination.
  • Ancient bristlecone pines, among the oldest living trees on Earth, grow near Wheeler Peak — reached by a moderate trail from the Wheeler Peak Campground area.
  • Remote location: the nearest sizable towns are hours away — fuel up and stock up before arriving.
  • Elevation ranges enormously across the park, from desert valley floor to over 13,000ft at the Wheeler Peak summit — pack layers regardless of season.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Great Basin National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · Recreation.gov – Lehman Cave Tours · NPS – Alerts & Conditions