White Pine County, Nevada’s Great Basin National Park was founded in 1986 and is situated close to the Utah border. Route 488 connects the park with the U.S. Routes 6 and 50 through the tiny town of Baker, which is the closest community to the park’s entrance. The Great Basin, an arid and rugged area between the Sierra Nevada and the Wasatch Mountains, is the inspiration for the park’s name. The Basin and Range Province is the geographic name for this region. To the north of Las Vegas, the park has an area of 77,180 acres.
Bristlecone pines, the oldest known nonclonal creatures, and the Lehman Caves at the base of 13,063-foot (3,982 m) Wheeler Peak, as well as the Wheeler Peak Glacier, are some of the park’s most prominent characteristics. Great Basin National Park is a great area to explore the breathtaking variety of the Great Basin region, from the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak peak to the sage-covered lowlands. Come and enjoy the serenity of the woods, wander amid old bristlecone pines, and bask in the darkest night sky.
Entrances and how to reach it
Located five miles west of Baker, Great Basin National Park is a national park in eastern Nevada. Please prepare beforehand since this is an isolated place with minimal services! Great Basin National Park’s current status.
By Plane
It is possible to fly into commercial airports at St. George (115 miles) and Cedar City (142 miles) (207 miles). Both only fly into and out of Salt Lake City, and neither offers automobile rentals for those that need them. As far as airports are concerned, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are the two closest (286 miles).
By Car
- Take Nevada State Highway 487 south from U.S. Highway 6 and 50 to Baker, NV, which is about five miles away. The park is located five miles west of Baker on Highway 488.
- Travel north on Utah State Highway 21 via Milford, UT, and Garrison, UT; this will become Nevada State Highway 487 as you reach the border. The park may be reached by driving five miles west on Highway 488 from Baker. When you cross the Nevada border, keep in mind that you’ll be entering the Pacific Time Zone.
- Travel north on U.S. Highway 93 from the south (Nevada) (Great Basin Highway). Driving from the intersection of US Highway 6 and 50, head south on Nevada State Highway 487. Drive five miles to Baker, Nevada. The park is located five miles west of Baker on Highway 488.
Public Transportation
Great Basin National Park does not have any public transportation to or from the park.
Maps
Go to the National Park Service website to get a copy of the brochure’s map.
Maps of the Topography
Six topographic maps cover Great Basin National Park in the US 7.5 minute series. Much of the high-elevation terrain is shown on the Wheeler Peak and Kious Springs map sets. Many of the most popular paths and well-developed pathways are included in the Windy Peak map. Outside of the park, the Lehman Caves map includes mostly low-altitude locations. The Minerva Canyon and Arch Canyon maps cover the most distant and under-utilized backcountry locations.