Camp at Wheeler Peak Campground in Great Basin NP

Nevada › Wheeler Peak Campground

Save List Review

135 Saves

Great Basin is one of the least visited NPs..no crowds! Explore ancient Bristlecone Pine groves, the oldest living organisms and Lehmann Cave for spectacular formations.

Located on the Nevada/Utah border about 4 hours from Salt Lake City, it's a hidden gem!

Wheeler Peak is Nevada's second highest mountain at just over 13000ft and provides the backbone of the park. A beautiful winding road takes you almost to the top of Wheeler from the bottom of the valley (around 5000 up to 10000ft at the top). I've been there twice now and have loved it. Lehmann Cave is one of the most spectacular caves I've seen! There is a very accessible grove of ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, the oldest living organisms, a two mile hike from Wheeler Campground. Some are almost 5000 years old and are just beautiful!

Great Basin's remoteness means there is little light pollution so star watching and night photography is a must. There are also numerous hiking trails that take you through a variety of terrains. You can also climb Wheeler Peak for great views!

Nights can be cold so bring a sweater even in summer! Baker, NV is the nearest town with a few places to eat but make sure to stock up before you get there as it's miles from a big city.

For more campground information or updates: https://www.nps.gov/grba/plany...

Pack List

Tent, there are 3 main campsites with the Wheeler Peak site located at around 10000ft!
Warm clothes, even in summer
Tripod
Camera

Optional:

Rain jacket if you go to the cave as it is damp
Backpack (you can camp in the back country)

Please respect the places you find on The Outbound.

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures. Be aware of local regulations and don't damage these amazing places for the sake of a photograph. Learn More

Activities:

Camping, Photography, Hiking

Skill Level:

Beginner

Season:

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Rating:

Features:

Forest

Groups

Lake

Picnic Area

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Are we missing something?

Suggest an edit

How to Get There

Get driving directions

Reviews

Leave a Review

Dan Barr Follow

about 1 year ago

Camp at Wheeler Peak Campground in Great Basin NP

One of the Best Night Skies in the United States

I've never seen a night sky more vibrant and well defined than at Great Basin National Park. With really no city of any meaningful size within at least a 100 miles of the park, the light pollution is nonexistent. Combine that with consistently clear skies during the warm summer months, and it becomes a fantastic destination to star-gaze.

about 1 year ago