Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park is a protected area in White Pine County, eastern Nevada, preserving limestone caves, dense forests, and the 4,000-meter Wheeler Peak. The terrain spans multiple elevation zones, from desert-like valleys to alpine tundra near the summit.

Congress established this area as a national park in 1986 to protect ancient pine forests and the Lehman Caves from degradation. The land served for over a century as open grazing and ranch ground before people recognized its wilderness value.

The name comes from the vast desert landscape of the Great Basin region that dominates eastern Nevada. The bristlecone pine trees here serve as living witnesses to time, with some of the oldest known trees on Earth growing at these elevations.

The park has five camping areas, some with water and restrooms while others offer only basic facilities. Weather conditions change greatly between the valleys, where it is warm, and the higher elevations, which are cold. Pack clothing for different temperatures accordingly.

The thin crystalline shield formations in the cave systems rank among the rarest cave structures on Earth. These formations develop extremely slowly from mineral-rich water that drips over rock ledges.

Location: White Pine County

Inception: 1987

Operator: National Park Service

Part of: Central Nevada

Website: https://nps.gov/grba

GPS coordinates: 39.00580,-114.21970

Latest update: December 18, 2025 15:40