Great Basin National Park — Attraction in Ely

Great Basin National Park has been on my list for years. Very pleased to have checked it off the list, though now its back on the "return list". The park is wonderfully remote. I visited in the middle of April, so I expected less crowds, but I was pleasantly surprised to see only a handful of people the entire three days I was there. Much of the park was locked in snow (which wont stop me next time as I will have a backcountry ski setup, and snowshoes if I travel in late Fall, Winter or early Spring), but I was able to take a walk straight from Lower Lehman campground up the Wheeler mountain road which was closed to vehicle traffic. The hike was 6 miles round trip, a little over 1000 ft of elevation gain and loss. I saw ONE person the entire hike. I had to walk over some snow here and there, but no big deal. The snow became too deep for hiking just above 8500 ft. This of course will be different season to season. The views were excellent, and it was only me, the dog, and the wind in the trees for noise. I also hiked from camp overland 1.4 miles to the Lehman Caves visitor center (instead of the road.) As I understood the the regulations I read, this is allowed, but I was mindful to be careful where I stepped to not disturb the ground as much as possible. I would only recommend this to people with orientation skills and backcountry travel experience as it gets thick in the juniper, and pinyon pine, and less experienced hikers could get turned around, even with a short distance to the caves. I had to cross Lehman creek which was flowing pretty good. Plus, knowledge of how to deal with any wildlife you may encounter is wise as well. I only saw birds, but I saw sign of large elk, and Rangers shared active mountain lion sightings. I left the dog at camp comfortable, and safe in my van. The caves were mind bending and incredible. I was only able to get a 60 minute tour in, but I would do the tour again, and definitely go for the 90 minute tour. I did not register ahead of time, and walk-ups are hit and miss as the tours book out, even with so few people staying at the park. I tried to book through Rec.gov at camp (with spotty 3G) but had trouble. I would book ahead of your visit for sure. I stayed in camp 2, and I would shoot for that again. Upper Lehman was closed due to snow, but I walked it, and it looked great. My next visit I will come when the snow in the high country is melted out so I can make a shot at bagging Mount Wheeler, and check out the high mountain lakes, trails etc. I would shoot for 5 days to explore each zone but 8 to 10 days to really crush it all, maybe longer. The Mountain was out the entire time and it mesmerized me, and was a real pleasure witnessing how it affected the...

Tucked away in the vast expanse of Nevada lies one of America's hidden gems: the Great Basin National Park. While it may be one of the least visited national parks in the country, those who have had the privilege of exploring its wonders will attest to its unparalleled beauty and the serenity it offers.

The park's relative obscurity is, in many ways, its greatest strength. Without the throngs of tourists that frequent other national parks, Great Basin offers a more intimate and personal experience with nature. The silence here is profound, broken only by the whisper of the wind through ancient bristlecone pines or the distant call of a mountain bird.

For hiking enthusiasts, the park is nothing short of a paradise. Trails wind their way through diverse terrains, from lush meadows bursting with wildflowers, babbling brooks, to rugged mountain peaks offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Each trail promises its own adventure, whether you're seeking a challenging ascent or a leisurely stroll.

However, what sets Great Basin apart from other national parks is its exceptional stargazing opportunities. With minimal light pollution, the night sky here is a canvas of twinkling stars, planets, and meteor showers. The Milky Way, often obscured in other parts of the country, stretches across the horizon in a dazzling display of cosmic beauty. It's no wonder that the park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park, a testament to its commitment to preserving the pristine quality of its night skies.

Camping in Great Basin is an experience in itself. The park offers a range of fantastic camping options, from well-equipped campgrounds to more primitive backcountry sites. Waking up to the crisp mountain air, with the first rays of the sun illuminating the peaks, is a memory that will stay with you long after you've left.

Great Basin National Park is a testament to the wonders that await when we venture off the beaten path. It's a place where the spirit of exploration is rewarded with breathtaking vistas, unforgettable hikes, and nights under a canopy of stars. If you're seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, look no further than this untouched haven of...

This is a lovely gem. I think most people would be surprised to find this type of climate in Nevada. It reminded me a lot more of Colorado. The mountains are breathtaking and I'm so glad that I came to see them. Luckily when we came there was a bit of an explosion of wildflowers as well many people are saying the word superbloom so I don't want to jump on the bandwagon prematurely maybe this is not a superbloom but it was the word that came to mind when I was here. I was excited to see so many different types of flowers and color springing forth. The employees at The Visitor Center were really nice as well and they have some great looking merch. I love the design that they chose to use for Great Basin with a night sky theme. There are also caves to explore and from other people's reviews I'm pretty sad we didn't get to see them because they do seem spectacular. However we were adventuring with our dog as we usually do so we wouldn't have been able to go in anyway. But if you can I would recommend getting a tour for those as well. I love getting the opportunity to see any of our national parks because they are all lovely, but there is something special about Great Basin and I do think it is worth the drive. Especially right now if you want to see a ton of really colorful wildflowers. I also saw a lot of wildlife in the area like owls and lizards but not actually within the park borders I don't think, however the wildlife is quite active surprisingly in such a barren landscape leading up to the park. I would recommend it to any fans of national parks, mountains or wildlife and wildflowers. The only disappointing thing for me is that the main trail we found said no dogs and the trail itself is very short because it is damaged and closed off. So that part was a little bit of a bummer. But I'm sure we could have found another trailhead if we tried harder to...