Know Before You Go, Great Basin National Park

Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure to Great Basin National Park! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour has four starting points:
  • Ely: just south of the town of Highway 50
  • Pioche: just north of Patterson Pass Campground on Hwy 93
  • Delta: Westbound on Grand Army of the Republic Hwy/ Hwy 6, just past the Skull Rock Pass
  • Garrison: Northbound on Ely Hwy 21, just past Lime Point.

Quick Tips

• Entrances do not have the same stops
• Great Basin National Park is open 24 hours a day.
• Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee.
• The Lehman Caves should be reserved in advance.
• Early summer offers ideal conditions with snow-capped summits and meltwater-fed creeks.
• Great Basin National Park is less crowded than other parks.
• Bring plenty of water.
• Hiking Wheeler Peak includes passing through snowpacks and glacial ice. 

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Rachel Ennis

Budget

How much you spend depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs.

• Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee.
• The Lehman Caves tour requires tickets, which can be purchased in advance at recreation.gov (small fee). Sometimes, extra tickets are available at the Lehman Cave Visitor Center.

How Long to Spend

You can do Great Basin as a quick highlights day—or stretch it into a multi-day mountain-and-caves masterpiece.

• Half day: Lehman Caves area + visitor center + drive-through
• Full day: caves + one longer hike or scenic drive
• 2–3 days: Wheeler Peak / alpine lakes / glacier + stargazing

Hours of Operation 

The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.

• Baker Visitor Center
  • Summer Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Fall Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Early winter hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • December-Spring: Closed
• Mountain View Nature Trail—8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Great Basin Café—8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Rhodes Cabin—8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The rest of the stops follow standard park hours.

Get Packing!

Rachel Ennis

​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. And that crazy, changeable, mountain weather. 

• Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, tall
• Layered clothing
• Lightweight jacket
• Water bottles and water
• Hiking/walking sticks
• Binoculars/telescope
• Long exposure camera

Best Time to Visit 

Rachel Ennis

• Visit in early summer for snow-capped summits, flowing streams, and blooming wildflowers. Warm temperatures vary by elevation.
• Great Basin offers peaceful experiences without big crowds due to its smaller size and lesser-known status.
• Early fall and late spring are also good, though cooler, with fewer wildflowers and less snowmelt.
• Winter isn’t ideal as Wheeler Peak Drive is snow-covered and closed to vehicles.

Food, Fuel, and Restrooms

This is not a “we’ll figure it out later” park.

• Fuel up before long stretches (and don’t run your tank low “just to see”).
• Food options are limited—bring snacks and plan meals intentionally.
• Restrooms are most reliable near developed areas like visitor centers—don’t assume they exist at remote stops.

Safety Information 

Great Basin is a dry and arid desert. Bring plenty of water. Also, be aware that hiking Wheeler Peak includes passing through snowpacks and glacial ice. So be prepared.

Stargazing

Stick around after dark. Great Basin is famous for its night skies, and on a clear night the Milky Way shows up like it has something to prove.

Bring warm layers, a red-light headlamp if you have one, and only pull off in safe areas.

FAQs

Do I need a reservation to enter Great Basin?
Nope—no entrance fee and no reservation required to enter the park.

Do I need to book Lehman Caves ahead of time?
Strongly recommended. Tours are ticketed and can sell out. Sometimes there are extra day-of tickets at the visitor center.

How long does this tour take?
Anywhere from a half day (caves + visitor center + highlights) to 2–3 days if you’re hiking Wheeler Peak, chasing alpine lakes, and staying for stargazing.

Can I start the tour anywhere?
Yes—Ely, Pioche, Delta, or Garrison. Just know the routes don’t include the same stops, so pick the one you’re actually driving past.

Will I have cell service?
Maybe. Often not. Download the tour ahead of time and you’ll be golden.

Do I need 4WD?
Not for the main park areas, but some side roads get rough. High clearance helps if you’re going off the pavement.

Is Wheeler Peak hikeable year-round?
No. Snow can linger into early summer, and conditions change fast near the top—pack layers and be prepared.

Are food, gas, and restrooms easy to find?
Not always. Fuel up early, bring snacks, and don’t assume restrooms exist at remote stops.

Is Great Basin good for stargazing?
Oh yeah. Like, yeeeeah.

Leave No Trace

Rachel Ennis

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders. 

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Great Basin National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Great Basin National Park Itinerary.

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