From the sagebrush at its alluvial base to the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park includes streams, lakes, alpine plants, abundant wildlife, a variety of forest types including groves of ancient bristlecone pines, and numerous limestone caverns, including beautiful Lehman Caves. Lehman Caves National Monument was proclaimed on January 24, 1922. It became incorporated into the newly created Great Basin National Park October 27, 1986.

VISITATION:

Highest in summer; lowest in January and February.

LOCATION:

Located in east-central Nevada near U.S. Highway 6 & 50.

Map of park (19k)

ADDRESS:

Great Basin National Park
Baker, NV 89311-9702

TELEPHONE:

(775) 234-7331
(775) 234-7331 ext. 242 (advance cave ticket sales, summer only)

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily, Summer: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific (starting May 22, 1999);
Daily, Winter: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Pacific;
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Lehman Cave tours are offered daily year-round. In the winter, the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is only open to the Upper Lehman Creek Campground and Lehman Creek Trailhead. Opening dates of the higher portions of the road depend on weather. The road usually opens for the summer season starting in May, June or early July. It usually closes by late October or November.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

This is a fairly arid region, most precipitation received as snow or during summer thunderstorms. Winters are cool and summers are mild. Be prepared for changes in weather. Lehman Caves is 50 degrees F, 90% humidity year round, a jacket and suitable walking shoes are recommended.

DIRECTIONS:

The main park entrance is five miles west of Baker, NV, near the Nevada-Utah border. Driving distances in miles are Salt Lake City, 234 miles; Las Vegas, 286 miles; Reno, 385 miles and Cedar City, 142 miles.

TRANSPORTATION:

The closest major commercial airports are located in Salt Lake City, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada. No public transportation is avaiable to, or in, Great Basin National Park. Personal vehicles or commercial tours are necessary.

FEES, COST, RATES:

There is no park entrance fee. Campgrounds $7.00 per night, $3.50 with Golden Age or Access Passports. RV Sanitary Station $2.00. Lehman Caves Tour fees vary with tour length.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Acreage:
Acreage 77,100, all federal.

Visitor Center/Exhibits
The Visitor Center is located on NV Hwy. 488, 5.5 miles from the town of Baker, and half a mile inside the park boundary. It houses exhibits, two short audiovisual presentations, the Great Basin Natural History Association bookstore, and a concession gift shop and cafe.

Roads
The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive winds for 12 miles to end at the Wheeler Peak Campground (elevation 9,986 feet). Vehicles over 24 feet in length are not recommended beyond the turn-around area at the Upper Lehman Creek Campground (approximately 3.5 miles). The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive closes seasonally beyond the Upper Lehman Creek Campground. The Baker Creek Road is a 3.5 mile graded gravel road. This road is usually closed in winter.

Trails
A variety of hiking trails are available. Hiking times of different trails range from a half hour to several day trips. Trails lead to the summit of Wheeler Peak, an ancient bristlecone pine grove, the 75-foot-tall Lexington Arch, alpine lakes and historic features.

Programs/Activities:
Regularly scheduled tours of Lehman Caves are offered year round. Tours may be 30, 60 or 90 minutes in duration. Longer tours go further along the same route than shorter tours. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted on the 90 Minute Cave Tour. The First Room Tour visits only the Gothic Palace Room. The longest tour distance is 0.54 miles. Campfire programs, guided Bristlecone hikes, and kid's programs are offered Memorial Day to Labor Day. Program schedule.

Lodging and camping facilities:
Limited motel accommodations are available in Baker, Nevada. The nearest cities are Ely, NV, 70 miles to the west and Delta, UT, 100 miles to the east. Four developed campgrounds provide water (in summer), restrooms, fire rings and picnic tables. The developed campgrounds do fill, especially on summer weekends. Primitive campgrounds along Strawberry Creek and Snake Creek provide fire rings and some have tables and pit toilets, but NO potable water. Only Lower Lehman Campground is open year round. Other campgrounds and primitive sites open as snow levels permit.

Food/supplies:
A concessionaire operates a cafe and gift shop from April to October. Restaurants and small grocery store and gas station are available in Baker.

Accessibility
All four campgrounds have a designated wheelchair accessible site. The visitor center is wheelchair accessible as is the First Room Tour of Lehman Caves.

Special needs
Parking is available for buses and RVs at the visitor center. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is not recommended for large RVs or buses (over 24 feet in length).

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Stop at the visitor center and take a tour of the cave. In the summer, drive the scenic road to the base of Wheeler Peak. From there, follow easy to moderate trails to alpine lakes and the bristlecone pine forest.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Camping:
No reservations are taken for camping.

Cave tours:
All cave tours are limited to no more than 25 people. Advance ticket sales are available in the summer only for 12 spaces per tour. Tickets for cave tours may be purchased when you arrive in the park or by phone. Call (775) 234-7331 extension 242 between 8am and 5pm Pacific Time to purchase advance tickets. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling no more than one month prior to the day you wish to tour the cave. Advance Sale Tickets must be paid for by Visa or Mastercard and there are no refunds. Golden Age and Golden Access passport holders must have card numbers when purchase is made in order to receive discount. Passport must also be presented when tickets are picked up.

Groups:
School groups and bus tours must call at least two weeks in advance so special arrangements may be made if staffing permits. Please call the park for current information on group sizes and teacher to student ratio requirements. Reservations for the group picnic area should be made at least three weeks in advance. Fees for the group picnic area vary with group size.

Backcountry use:
Backcountry registration is free and voluntary. Contact the visitor center for more information.

VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS

During snow season allow at least half a day to visit cave and explore visitor center. During summer allow at least a full day to explore the park, more if you enjoy hiking and exploring backcountry roads.

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:

The Great Basin Natural History Association offers several lectures and workshops in the summer. For more information, call (775) 234-7270.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Most roads and trails are closed during the winter months due to snow levels. Contact visitor center for current details. Cave tours are limited to 25 per tour. Holiday weekend cave tours often fill early in the day.

Program Schedule Hiking Trails Cave Tour Fees Park Map (19k) Visit Our NatureNet

Last Updated: 7-15-99
http://www.nps.gov/grba/