Established Camping
Wheeler Peak Campground — Great Basin National Park
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Due to several major infrastructure projects in the park, the Wheeler Peak Campground, Upper Lehman Campground, and Lower Lehman Campground will be operating on a first-come-first-served basis for the 2024 calendar year. Actual operating hours for the Wheeler Peak Campground are determined by the weather and snow coverage. <strong>Wheeler Peak Campground may not be open by 5/24/24</strong>. Contact Great Basin National Park or check the website to see when Wheeler Peak Campground will open for camping.
About
National Park Service
Great Basin National Park
Overview
A stay at the Wheeler Peak Campground is a genuinely memorable experience. Shadowed beneath the hulking cliffs of Wheeler Peak and Doso Doyabi, a pair of Nevada___s true alpine monarchs, the views and campsites hover among the clouds. At nearly 10,000 feet in elevation your neighbors are Engelman spruce, mule deer and green meadows; your common distractions tumbling brooks and shimmering aspen leaves. A mile and a half up the trail will place you in the midst of the Wheeler Peak Bristlecone Grove, among trees so ancient that some have absorbed the fanciful hues of over a million sunsets. Take elevation and weather into account before you set out on your hike. Neither towing nor towed vehicles exceeding 24 feet in length are accommodated along the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive or at Wheeler Peak Campground.
Recreation
The drive alone is worth the price of admission, as they say, even though there is no entrance fee at this National Park. The 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive sweeps you over half a vertical mile to the Wheeler Peak Campground, just beneath what may be the most picturesque mountain in Nevada. Take in the view at Mather Overlook along the way. You can___t miss it.__ While the Wheeler Peak Campground is the most distant campground from the surreal Lehman Caves (a 30-minute drive down the mountain) it more than makes up for it in hiking opportunities. Two of the park___s most sought-after hikes, the Bristlecone Trail and Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, begin just outside of the campground entrance. The fully accessible .4 mile-long Sky Isalnd Nature Trail also presents a peaceful alternative. Beyond walking, the soundscapes and view-surfing are perfect for lounging, reading or catching up on some sleep after a long drive. Oh, and the caves are just 30 minutes away. If you prefer some less-traveled roads, consider a drive down the Snake Creek (no rvs or trailers) or Baker Creek Roads for such hiking destinations as Baker Lake or Johnson Lake. From the end of these maintained dirt roads, all trails lead to solitude.____ But be back at your campsite before sunset if you want to enjoy the dusk light show as the sun ignites the towering stone walls of Doso Doyabi, merging slowly into a sky so black that the stars pop in ways you may never have imagined possible.__ Be sure to make reservations before you arrive, for both the campground and the caves.
Facilities
Wheeler Peak Campground offers paved parking spurs, picnic tables, campfire rings and grills along with vault toilets. While towed vehivles are allowed, niether the towed nor towing vehicle may be over 24-feet in length.
Natural Features
Views of some of Nevada___s most picturesque mountains are abundant and never more than a few steps away from your campsite, if that. Bolstered by permanent snow and icefields of the Wheeler Peak cirque the spring serenading you just to the south has cascaded through ancient quartzite which makes up the towering cathedrals above. Stretched out among alpine meadows ringed within a dense forest of Engleman spruce, the Wheeler Peak Campground provides shade at nearly every site while a quick stroll will often reveal mule deer, turkey, or in the autumn weeks the lively orange and gold of shimmering aspen.
Nearby Attractions
Don't forget, Great Basin National Park was forshadowed when Lehman Caves was annointed a National Monument in 1922. The cave and its underground wonders are just thirty minutes away behind the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Access is by tour only so be sure to book a reservation before you arrive, or stop by the visitor center to check on remaining availability.
Fee Info
Location
Wheeler Peak Campground — Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada
Directions
From the east or west: From U.S. Highway 6 & 50, turn south on Nevada State Highway 487 and travel 5 miles to Baker, NV. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 miles to the park. From the south (Utah): Travel north on Utah State Highway 21 through Milford, UT and Garrison, UT, which will become Nevada State Highway 487 as you cross the border. Turn west on Highway 488 in Baker and travel 5 miles to the park. From the south (Nevada): Travel north on U.S. Highway 93 (Great Basin Highway). At the junction of U.S. Highway 6 & 50 drive east to Nevada State Highway 487 and turn south. Travel 5 miles to Baker, NV. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 miles to the park.
Coordinates
39.01091 N
114.3044 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
![Beth M.](https://photos.thedyrt.com/user/1384344/avatar/adab2328-b72a-4cc0-a13f-a1947fbdb5c2.jpg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&crop=smart&auto=webp)
Fall Glory
Wheeler peak campground sits at the base of a most glorious vista with access to gorgeous, easy hikes. The campground was closed in October but there's plenty of flat trailhead parking and a toilet. No water but there is a creek. No cell signal on Verizon. The aspens were gloriously yellow, especially in the dawn and dusk.
Beautiful and secluded
This campground was beautiful with tall trees and massive views of the mountains at the same time. Love how secluded it was from other campgrounds and the visitor center and just in general.
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![Skyeriver](https://photos.thedyrt.com/user/666470/avatar/b02aa7c4-73b5-4d11-9583-315146d72a84.jpg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&crop=smart&auto=webp)
Isolated
Did the late night arrival thing and woke up to a superb sunrise!! Stars were out in full force when we arrived. We took the road in up to the top at night and didn’t realize how much we climbed until we dropped back down the road in the morning. All in all cool place and would go again with more time. Nice ADA stuff at the top at Wheeler paved parking area. Amphitheater, flat wide trail to lake.
![Pat S.](https://photos.thedyrt.com/user/163114/avatar/1924b43310d586a155e19823683b203a.jpg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&crop=smart&auto=webp)
High elevation CG with a view.
This campground sits at about 9900 ft. It had 37 sites when we were there in June 18 and we stayed two nights. If you stay in Great Basin NP this CG should be on your list. In 2018 you could not reserve a site. We got there in mid afternoon and got one of the last remaining sites. We were in 11 which was next to the pit toilet. The toilets weren't in very good condition, at least the women's wasn't according to my partner, which is why the 4 star not 5 star rating. It does get chilly at that elevation so bring appropriate clothes.
The incredible views, wildlife, and access to the upper trails in the park really make this campground an amazing place. The views of Wheeler and Jeff Davis peaks are amazing and the night sky is brilliant on clear evenings. .
Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and were paved. There is trash cans and dumpsters available. The sites were fairly spaced out and most afforded a bit of privacy. The CG was definitely used and had some wear but was in pretty good condition. There is also water available.
We came purposely to hike Wheeler Peak and it did not disappoint. Amazing hike and views. We also hiked the Alpine loop as part of that hike. The CG gives great access to Stella and Teresa Lake. The Bristlecone pine trail is worth it too. This is easily accessed from the CG.
Note, this CG is closed for the summer of 2020. Apparently the NP service is making some upgrades and improvements.
- (6) View All
Beautiful
Breathtaking location with a lot of wildlife and space between campgrounds
Solitude at its Finest and Beautiful Views of Wheeler Peak & the Night Sky
Quietest campground Ive ever been .. Friendly and likeminded campers. Only one downfall is that alot sites are not level but dont let that detour you. Cleanest pit toliets ever. Great Basin National Park is a great place for solitude, hiking, touring Lehman Cave, and stargazing. We spent 3 nights camped at 10,000 ft with lows in the 40s and fall colors starting to pop!
![Tom K.](https://photos.thedyrt.com/user/7279/avatar/3badf2b01ed7febbaf2882638c3ed189.jpeg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&crop=smart&auto=webp)
Wonderful High Country Campground
The Wheeler Peak campground is a primitive campground up a steady and steep road in Great Basin National Park. If you are heading here I would do several things at the last major city you come to. 1)Buy all the food you will need. 2) Buy TP 3)Gas up the vehicle. You are literally in the middle of nowhere with a few small towns close buy but nothing really accessible to the park if you need supplies. Also, if you are going to go to this campground, bring your cold weather gear even in summer. You are really high up and it does get chilly at night.
When I was here the park rangers told me it was full and that driving all the way to the top was just for the vies. When I got to the top, it wasn't close to being full and I got a really nice spot next to a stream. I say this so that you check the sites yourself instead of word of mouth. It is a first come first serve campground so you never know how things will turn out. The sites themselves are great! I had a level spot to set my tenet up on and there was a table and fire ring. I was told you can collect firewood here that is on the ground but I would check with the rangers first. The bathrooms are a pit toilet and they have no showers. I would definitely do the bristlecone hike up even if you are short on time. It is well worth the time and adventure.
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![Tom R.](https://photos.thedyrt.com/user/6301/avatar/0e16650fb7fc41eae3ad733387644a88.jpg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&crop=smart&auto=webp)
3 day trip
My girlfriend and I wanted a nice quite camping trip in the woods. Being from las vegas you don't get a lot of trees. We went online and found wheeler peak in the great basin national park. We loved every second we spent there!
![Sunshine S.](https://photos.thedyrt.com/user/6174/avatar/5a3d70183daa4254f223c9322bcc9023.jpg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&crop=smart&auto=webp)
PERFECT
This high elevation camp provided great access to trails, beautiful viewpoints, and even a small creek! This was one of the best campground that we have ever stayed in and we have stayed in almost 20 National Parks!