Great Basin National Park

CONTENTS

Great Basin National Park

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. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PARK AND PROGRAMS, CLICK THE "IN DEPTH" BUTTON TO THE RIGHT.

IN DEPTH

Sights to See Lexington Arch How did it form? Rising high above the floor of Lexington Canyon, this imposing natural arch was created by the forces of weather working slowly over a span of...read more

Camping Camping General Information Great Basin National Park has four developed campgrounds with vault toilets, picnic tables, tent pads, and campfire grills. There are no hookups or leveled parking sites. Campsites are...read more

History History & Culture The story of the Great Basin is not just one of geology and landforms, but also of people. This region has been home to American Indians for...read more

Preservation Lehman Caves Ecology Life in Lehman Caves survives in such an unusual environment by seizing every opportunity possible. Bacteria lives in moist areas of the cave. This bacteria may be feeding...read more

Just For Kids FOR KIDS FOR KIDS IN THE PARK Junior Ranger Program This program provides children with an opportunity to learn about and interact with the park at their own pace. After completing a number...read more

Animals Ants Over 60 ant species have been documented in White Pine County, Nevada, and 23 of these have been found in the park. Many more species likely occur in the...read more

Geology Rivers and Streams Ten permanent streams originate in Great Basin National Park between 6,200 and 11,000 ft. (1,890 and 3,353 m) elevation and are fed by numerous springs along their courses. The streams...read more

Natural World Watersheds A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that is under it (groundwater) and the water that drains off of it (precipitation) goes into the...read more

Plants Bristlecone Pines Great Basin Bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva) are remarkable for their great age and their ability to survive adverse growing conditions. In fact, it seems one secret to their...read more

Walking & Hiking Winter Touring Solitude, stillness, and spectacular scenery greet visitors to Great Basin National Park in the winter. This quietest season of the year offers some unique experiences in the park. The...read more