National Park · NV

Things to do in Great Basin

The National Park Service lists 34 things to do at Great Basin National Park. 33 have no extra fee, 31 need no reservation, and 5 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated · NPS Data API

All (34) Hiking (21)Backcountry Hiking (3)Picnicking (3)Museum Exhibits (2)Stargazing (1)Junior Ranger Program (1)Scenic Driving (1)Backcountry Camping (1)Guided Tours (1)

Driving the Park

Great Basin offers access to many diffent road that travel through out the park. These road varry from paved to four wheel drive roads. please use good jugment and be prepared before venturing on to the roads.

60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

Hike Pole Canyon

Hike the Pole Canyon trail, moseying by streams, wildflowers, and dense conifers. The 6.6 mile round trip trail also treks through the Baker Creek and Grey Cliffs campgrounds, making it easy to start from a campsite without a drive.

3-6 Hours Year-round

Hiking

A wheelchair accessible with green trees around
Photo: NPS

Hike the ADA Sky Island Forest Trail

The ADA accessible Sky Island Forest Trail provides a very easy walk through the woods along with interpretive signs to teach about this unique ecosystem.

15-45 Minutes Summer, Fall

Hiking

Alpine lake with mountain in the background
Photo: NPS

Hike the Alpine Lakes Loop

An easy trail at high elevation, the Alpine Lakes Loop is a 2.7 mile staple of many visits to Great Basin. Wildlife and wildflowers are often visible in the many meadows and streams in this shelter beneath some of the grandest peaks in Nevada.

1-3 Hours Year-round

Hiking

Hike the Baker Creek Loop

An upper easy/low moderate hike, Baker Creek is often accessible or semi-accessible year round, making a viable alternative when roads close or parking lots are crowded.

90-180 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

Hike the Big Wash Trail

Big Wash is perhaps the most difficult and least travelled trail in the park. be prepared for a long 20.6 mile journey through shrubland and heat in the summer, but one of the most incredible experiences available with the isolation it brings.

12-24 Hours Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike the Lehman Creek Trail

Hike the Lehman Creek Trail in summer and fall for amazing colors and plenty of shade, or to access the higher elevation trails in the winter time.

3-6 Hours Year-round

Hiking

The edge of a log cabin with large beams sits to one side, with a trail stretching forward in snow
Photo: NPS / C. Reed

Hike the Mountain View Nature Trail

Take a short walk on the Mountain View Nature Trail behind the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Waiting for a tour? Only wanting a short distance? This nature trail will enlighten you on the past, present, and future of Lehman Caves and Great Basin National Park.

5-30 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

Yellow Fall Colors on aspen trees surrounding a bridge that two children approach.
Photo: NPS

Hike the Sage Steppe Loop

Wildlife, wildflowers, escapes from the heat, and an easy trail to boot. The Sage Steppe Loop is both a wonderful introduction to the park and a great chance to get away from the crowds.

30-90 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike the Serviceberry Trail

The 3.2 mile Serviceberry Loop is a wonderful loop trail through serviceberry, rabbitbrush, and sagebrush, giving plentiful views of unique Great Basin geology. This moderate trail is a great introduction to the Snake Creek area and its unique offerings.

90-150 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Green meadow with mountain peak in background
Photo: NPS

Hike the Shoshone ADA Trail

The Shoshone ADA trail is a small section of one of Great Basin's longer hiking routes. This 0.1 mile stretch takes visitors to a wooden platform and fishing area right on Snake Creek. Caution: Access may be difficult for modified vehicles with low clearance.

10-20 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike the Snake Divide Route

Hike one of the more challenging and rewarding trails inside Great Basin National Park. This over 13 mile hike leads to the peak of a mountain, multiple bristlecone pine groves, and some of the most spectacular views in the park.

7-12 Hours Summer

Backcountry Hiking

Hike the Timber Creek Trail

An extended loop through the Baker Creek area, Timber Creek offers more meadows, woodland, and creeks. This 5.1 mile loop is surely worth a visit, especially when the Scenic Drive is closed.

3-6 Hours Year-round

Hiking

Hike the Upper Strawberry Trail

The meadows of the Sage Steppe Loop combined with moderate difficulty ascending to a mountain saddle, the Upper Strawberry trail's 4.0 miles provides ample fall colors and plenty of running water.

2-4 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike to Baker Lake

The hike to Baker Lake is a 10 mile round trip through pine forests and along a mountain stream. Baker Lake is one of the largest mountain lakes in Great Basin National Park.

5-10 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall Reservation required

Hiking

Hike to Dead Lake

Hike the 5.1 mile Dead Lake Loop to see an ephemeral lake and gorgeous wildflowers and fall colors. Every time of year, Snake Creek has something to offer.

2-5 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Mountain lake with downed trees on shore line
Photo: NPS

Hike to Johnson Lake from Baker Creek

Johnson Lake may be reached from either Baker Creek or Snake Creek. This trail offers a path to a pristine mountain lake and mining history in the Snake Range. Nearly 10 miles of trail equals good times and plenty of room.

5-8 Hours Year-round

Hiking

Hike to Lexington Arch

Hike 5.6 miles through shrubland to see one of the largest limestone arches in the world. Find plenty of peace on this lesser traveled trail.

2-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

Hike to Snake Creek Overlook

The Snake Creek Overlook trail is a nice, short trail that will work one's legs with a stretch of elevation gain. This easy, 1.1 mile trip provides sweeping views of the lower valley and is a great start or end of the day

30-90 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Green trees sit on a slope with sharp, cragged rock cliffs beyond, forming a wall.
Photo: NPS / B. Mills

Hike to the Glacier

Hike to see the last glacier in Nevada. This roughly five mile hike works its way across boulder fields near its conclusion to allow for stunning views of Wheeler Peak and the glacial cirque.

2-4 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike to the Wheeler Peak Bristlecone Grove

The Bristlecone Trail is not to be missed on a visit to the park. This 2.8-mile round-trip hike takes visitors through some of the oldest organisms on Earth, and offers opportunities for introspection as you consider your place in the universe.

1-3 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike to Wheeler Peak

Hike the tallest peak in the park at 13,063 feet tall. This tough, nearly 9 mile round trip hike will reward those who summit with perhaps the best views in the state.

4-10 Hours Summer, Fall

Hiking

brown picnic table surrounded but juniper and pine treed
Photo: NPS

Picnic at Pole Canyon

The entrance to Pole Canyon area has day use picnic areas with picnic tables and charcoal grills. This shaded area offers a chance to be removed from the crowded visitor center to enjoy and mid day snack.

5-120 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed

Picnicking

Before you go

Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Great Basin. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.

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