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Great Basin National Park, Nevada

A few miles from Route 50, the loneliest road in America, you will find the magnificent 77,000 acre Great Basin National Park. Located on Highway 488 (see map), five miles from the town of Baker in east central Nevada, the park is a popular destination for hiking, caving, fishing and horseback riding. The park was established by Congress in 1986 under the Presidency of Ronald Reagan, in response to many years of lobbying by conservation groups. The primary purpose of the National Park designation was to provide federal protection for the 5,000 year old groves of Bristlecone pines, the oldest living trees on earth. Ironically, this success came at a heavy price. In 1964, a research scientist, in an act of staggering ecological vandalism, received permission from the United States Forestry Service to cut down and take a ring sample of a still living ancient bristlecone pine named Prometheus. 4,844 rings were counted, establishing (after the fact) that this now dead bristlecone pine, which had survived for millenia, had previously been the oldest living tree on the planet! When this research paper was discovered and published some years later, the ensuing national uproar over the martyrdom of Prometheus ensured the creation of the National Park. The scientist responsible for cutting down Prometheus, in a humbling act of repentance and redemption, became one of the main proponents of that same National Park lobby.

In addition to the Bristlecone Pines, Great Basin National Park is also notable for its sagebrush, bird population (over 230 varieities), and the 12 mile scenic drive (no vehicles over 24 feet) that ascends the 13,063 foot Wheeler Peak, the highest peak  in the Snake Range. Just below the peak at approximately 11,000 feet, you will find a single 400 foot wide alpine glacier resting inside a bowl shaped depression, called a cirque.  You can reach the base of the Glacier by taking the 4.6 mile (roundtrip) Bristlecone/Glacier hiking Trail. Probably the most visited feature of the park is the stunning and highly decorated limestone cavern known as Lehman Caves. Discovered by Absolom Lehman in 1881, the caves were designated a National Monument by President Warren Harding in 1922 and absorbed into the Great Basin National Park in 1986. There are two cave tours; one lasts 60 minutes ($8 per adult) and covers 0.4 miles; the other, 90 minutes ($10 per adult) and covers 0.54 miles. There are 13 trails providing over 60 miles of hiking within the park, including the easy Mountain View Nature Trail (0.3 mile), the strenuous Wheeler Summit Trail (8.6 mile) or the moderate 3.4 mile roundtrip hike to the 60 foot high Lexington Arch (the only trail that allows pets). Many of these trails are at altitudes between 6,000-9,000 feet so be sure you are fit enough to cope with this. In addition, wear good walking shoes, and carry emergency clothing and plenty of water.

Great Basin National Park has four developed campgrounds with toilets (no showers), picnic tables, tent pads and campfire grills. This will be a dry camping experience for RV’s as there are no hookups. A dump station (closed in winter) and potable water is located just inside the park entrance. Lower Lehman Creek is the only campground open year round and camping, except for group sites, is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are plenty of RV parks outside the park, including the Ely KOA Campground.

Highway 50, dubbed the “loneliest road in America” by Life Magazine, once formed the backbone of the Pony Express Route between Sacramento and St. Joseph. Unfortunately, the desolate sage covered high desert proved so perilous and inhospitable that this route was abandoned within a year. Even after the advent of the “horseless carriage” and paved roads its parlous reputation remained intact, prompting AAA to warn “all motorists not to drive there unless they're confident of their survival skills.” The Nevada Commission on Tourism still provides certificates, signed by the Governor, to those who successfully drive the qualifying length of this highway, and submit their completed passport for verification. You can get your passport stamped in Austin, Ely, Eureka, Fallon and Fernley. You can even pick up the passport and survival kit before you leave on your trip.

Just outside of the Great Basin National Park there are some excellent cycling trails within the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area and 4x4 trails in both the Mount Moriah Wilderness and the Humboldt National Forest.

Great Basin National Park Map (PDF)

Great Basin National Park, 100 Great Basin National Park Baker, Nevada 89311 Tel: 1 (775) 234-7331

| $12.00 for developed campgrounds per night/per site | $6.00 for Golden Age/Golden Access card holders | Dump Station: $5 |
Lehman Caves Tel: 1 (775) 234-7331 ext. 242

Ely KOA CampgroundTel:  1 (775) 289-3413 or 1 (800) 562-3413

Driving distance LA to Great Basin National Park: 424 miles  | Driving Distance San Francisco to Great Basin National Park: 455 miles