Hikes and walks (24)
| Hike | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| 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. 3.3 miles makes for acceptable easy distance for most visitors, though challenging in the winter when deep snow is present. | 90 to 180 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| 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 to 3 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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. Lexington Arch is also the only park trail that allows dogs, so bring your pet for an excursion to this remote corner of the park. | 2 to 4 Hours · All year · Pets OK |
| 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 to 4 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 90 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 150 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 24 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Hike to Johnson Lake from Snake Creek | Hike to the backcountry and isolated Johnson Lake. 8.0 miles round trip rewards visitors with a chance for isolation and exercise. This version of the route approaches from the Snake Creek Trailhead, but Johnson Lake is also accessible from the north via Baker Creek Trailhead. | 4 to 8 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 90 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 20 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 12 Hours · Summer · No pets |
| 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 to 5 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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. Nestled in a mountain cirque the beautiful lake frequently has snow on its rocky banks. | 5 to 10 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets · Reservation needed |
| 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 to 6 Hours · All year · No pets |
| 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 to 8 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Backpack the Baker & Johnson Lakes Loop | The most popular backcountry route in the park, the Baker & Johnson Lakes Loop frequently sees campers, but still nothing compared to many other popular parks. This about 12 mile loop will take visitors by mountain lakes, glacial cirques, and a profound amount of isolation. | 1 to 14 Days · All year · No pets · Reservation needed |
| 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 to 6 Hours · All year · No pets |
| 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. This 6.4 mile round trip journey travels through a varied forest showcasing a harder to see perspective of the many mountain peaks. | 3 to 6 Hours · All year · No pets |
| 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 to 30 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| 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 to 10 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 3 Hours · All year · No pets |
| 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 to 4 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| 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 to 45 Minutes · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Hike the Highland Route | Highland Route | 1 to 2 Days · Summer · No pets |
Other things to do (10)
| Activity | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Lehman Caves Tour | Lehman Caves Tours | 30 to 90 Minutes · No pets · Reservation needed · Fee |
| Become a Great Basin National Park Junior Ranger | Great Basin Junior Ranger | 30 to 120 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Picnic at the Lehman Caves Picnic Area | Picnic Area at Lehman Caves | 5 to 120 Minutes · All year · Pets OK |
| Get a Backcountry Camping Permit | Get away from the developed areas of Great Basin National Park and find a campsite nestled deep in the mountains of the backcountry. | 1 to 14 Days · All year · No pets |
| See the Exhibits at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center | Lehman Caves exhibits | 5 to 30 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| See the Exhibits at the Great Basin Visitor Center | Great Basin Visitor Center exhibits | 5 to 30 Minutes · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Picnic at Upper Lehman Campground | Upper Lehman Campground Picnic Area | 5 to 60 Minutes · All year · Pets with limits |
| 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. Please pack out your ashes and obey all fire restrictions. | 5 to 120 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · Pets OK |
| 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 with limits |
| Astronomy Ranger Program | Astronomy Program | 60 to 120 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
Before you set out
Trail conditions change with snow, fire and storms. Check the park’s current alerts, carry the ten essentials and read know before you go.
Sources
- National Park Service: things to do in Great Basin National Park (Data API, public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.