- State: NV
- NPCA Region: Pacific
- Est. Date: 1986
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Low Concern
Health
Unsatisfactory
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate Change Threats
The diversity of natural beauty at this park makes it a must-see destination for outdoor lovers — the hardest part is knowing where to start. Climb or take a scenic drive up Wheeler Peak, the park’s iconic 13,000-foot mountain, for spectacular views; wander through groves of 3,000-year-old bristlecone pines; take a ranger-led tour through the marble and limestone halls of Lehman Caves; and hike or backpack among pristine alpine lakes. At night, visitors can enjoy exceptionally dark skies and excellent astronomy programs.
Pines from the Past
Great Basin is home to some of the oldest living organisms in the world — bristlecone pines. These gnarled, weathered trees can live to be over 4,000 years old.
-
Blog Post
10 Parks for Every Tree Lover’s List
National parks are home to some of the country’s rarest and most remarkable trees. In many cases, these spectacular plants have stood watch over centuries of history. Here are…
-
Blog Post
Celebrate Dark Skies at These 27 National Parks
Lay out a blanket after the sun goes down and see a clearer view of the universe at these designated dark-sky parks.
My Park Story
Greetings from Great Basin National Park
I'm the guy sitting down on the right. It was my first experience summiting a mountain thanks to my biz partner, Phil, and our good friend Jon. I couldn't have made it to the top without their help. I have a fear of heights/falling and there's nothing better than conquering…
More about Great Basin
-
Read more about Say Bees!
Magazine Article Say Bees! Sam Droege’s stunning photos of national park insects are the bee’s knees. (And all the other parts, too.)
-
Read more about Naming Matters
Magazine Article Naming Matters Should Devils Tower be called Bear Lodge? Is Tacoma a better moniker than Mount Rainier? Around the country, activists are fighting to change place names they deem offensive, hurtful or arbitrary, and national parks are frequently the targets of these campaigns.
-
Read more about Open Roads & Endless Skies
Magazine Article Open Roads & Endless Skies At Great Basin National Park, a father and son gaze at stars, touch ancient trees, and reflect on space, time and the universe.
-
Read more about The Country’s Largest Desert Is Not Where You Think — and It’s Cold
Blog Post The Country’s Largest Desert Is Not Where You Think — and It’s Cold The U.S. is home to four major desert systems, and the largest encompasses a national park of the same name. But they might not be where you expect.
-
Read more about Victorious!
Magazine Article Victorious! 21 conservation triumphs from the past 100 years.
-
Read more about Get Underground for Mammoth Adventures This Spring
Blog Post Get Underground for Mammoth Adventures This Spring Go below the Earth’s surface to explore exquisite realms that evolved in total darkness. See twisting pathways through limestone and marble, crystal-lined walls, and distinctive rock formations that can only be discovered on foot. These 10 national park caves are places to learn about the mysterious worlds under our feet.
-
Read more about BLM Advances Oil and Gas Leasing Close to Dinosaur National Monument and Great Basin National Park
Press Release BLM Advances Oil and Gas Leasing Close to Dinosaur National Monument and Great Basin National Park The lease sales next to Dinosaur National Monument and Great Basin National Park continue the Trump Administration’s troubling track record of leasing lands near national parks.
-
Read more about ‘Home Means Nevada’
Blog Post ‘Home Means Nevada’ 16 photographs that capture the intrigue of the Silver State and its public lands
-
Read more about A Tiny Discovery
Magazine Article A Tiny Discovery Researchers recently discovered a new species in Great Basin National Park. But will its habitat go down the drain?
-
Read more about Fighting Fluff
Magazine Article Fighting Fluff At well-known caves around the country, volunteers armed with tweezers and brushes keep lint—yes, lint—at bay.
-
Read more about Center for State of the Parks: Great Basin National Park
Report Center for State of the Parks: Great Basin National Park According to an assessment by the Center for State of the Parks, natural resources at the park are in "good" condition, with a score of 81 out of 100. Overall conditions of Great Basin National Park's known cultural resources rated 66 out of a possible 100, indicating "fair" conditions.
Donate
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now