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Caution

No Potable Water in Park Campgrounds

There currently is no water available in any campground in Great Basin National Park.  Water is available at the RV Fill and Dump Station, the Great Basin, and the Lehman Caves Visitor Center as well as some local businesses.  

National ParkHorse trails

Great Basin National Park

NV · Baker

From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the sagebrush-covered foothills, Great Basin National Park hosts a sample of the incredible diversity of the larger Great Basin region. Come and partake of the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore mysterious subterranean passages. There's a lot more than just desert here.

Riding guide

Highlights

Great Basin National Park is a quiet, high-desert escape where sagebrush valleys rise into alpine forests and the…

Riding

Rideable terrain here is noted as 40-50 miles, giving riders a clearer sense of scale before they ever unload. Stock use is permitted on approved routes, and wilderness permits are required for overnight trips. With dramatic elevation changes, dry climate conditions, and remote terrain, Great Basin rewards prepared riders with expansive views, star-filled skies, and an uncrowded riding experience in one of Nevada’s most underrated landscapes.

Rideable terrain

40-50 miles

Trailer parking

Baker Lake Trailhead This is the preferred parking area for horse trailers in the park. Why riders use it Largest trailhead lot suitable for truck trailer rigs Direct access to several stock-permitted trails Access to Baker Lake, Johnson Lake, and Pole Canyon trails Vault toilet and trash facilities available The trailhead is located past Baker Creek Campground at the end of the road, and it can accommodate multiple trailer rigs, although it fills quickly during busy periods. Backup Parking Option Grey Cliffs / Pole Canyon Pullout If Baker Lake Trailhead is full: Small pullout area before the Grey Cliffs Campground turnoff Can fit a couple of horse trailers Provides access to the Pole Canyon Trail However, space is limited and maneuvering can be tight.

Horse regulations

When planning a horseback riding or pack trip, please keep the following regulations in mind: Camping at trailheads is prohibited. Horses and pack animals are not allowed on paved roads, self-guided interpretive trails, or in day use zones, campgrounds, or developed areas (picnic areas, visitor center areas, etc.). Horses and pack animals are allowed on all trails except: Wheeler Peak day use area trails, Osceola Ditch trail, Lexington Arch trail, and the Baker to Johnson Lake Cutoff trail. Portions of trails may close to horse and pack animal use for safety or environmental concerns. Up to 6 horses or pack animals are allowed per group for day or overnight use. Larger groups may request an exception to these limits from the Superintendent under the terms of a Special Use Permit. Manure piles dropped at trailheads or in overnight backcountry camping areas must be scattered. All feed must be certified "weed free." Please remember to use weed-free feed for one week prior to arrival - this helps to reduce the spread of noxious weeds. Do not tie animals to trees or other vegetation for more than 60 minutes or in a manner that causes damage to park resources. Do not picket, hobble, or allow animals to graze within 100 feet of any lake, stream, spring, or riparian area. Horses or pack animals may not be tied to or secured within historic structures such as cabins, mills or corrals. Horse trailers may not be cleaned out in the park. Pack trips must also follow all Guidelines for Backcountry Use.

Getting here

Use 5500 NV-488, Baker, Nevada as your primary planning reference before you haul in. Baker Lake Trailhead This is the preferred parking area for horse trailers in the park. Why riders use it Largest trailhead lot suitable for truck trailer rigs Direct access to several stock-permitted trails Access to Baker Lake, Johnson Lake, and Pole Canyon trails Vault toilet and trash facilities available The trailhead is located past Baker Creek Campground at the end of the road, and it can accommodate multiple trailer rigs, although it fills quickly during busy periods. Backup Parking Option Grey Cliffs / Pole Canyon Pullout If Baker Lake Trailhead is full: Small pullout area before the Grey Cliffs Campground turnoff Can fit a couple of horse trailers Provides access to the Pole Canyon Trail However, space is limited and maneuvering can be tight.

Planning your visit

• This is high desert meets high elevation. Temperatures can swing dramatically between day and night, and storms can move in quickly at higher elevations. • Many trails climb from sagebrush valley into alpine terrain. Expect significant elevation gain and rocky footing in some areas. • Overnight stock trips require a free wilderness permit. Permits are limited but generally easier to obtain than in larger Western parks. • Stock use is restricted to designated trails and approved camping zones. Cross-country riding is not permitted. • Grazing is regulated. Bring certified weed-free feed and follow Leave No Trace practices. • Water sources can be limited or seasonal, especially in late summer. Plan carefully and confirm reliable water access before departure. • Services are minimal. Great Basin is remote, and cell coverage is unreliable. Arrive self-sufficient and prepared. • Wildlife includes mule deer, mountain lions, and occasional black bears. Practice safe food and feed storage. • Noxious weed free hay is now required. As of January 1, 2003, all hay and straw entering National Forests and National Parks must be Certified Noxious Weed Free. Animals must be fed Certified Weed Free hay for one week before arrival. • There are no designated equestrian campgrounds inside the park anymore.

Where to stay

Lehman Caves Visitor Center is the main visitor-contact point tied to this destination, which is helpful when you want current conditions, maps, and stock-use updates before riding. Horse camping is allowed, so this destination can work as more than a quick in-and-out ride if you want to build a longer federal-land stay around it. For a polished trip plan, pair the ride with lodging, fuel, and resupply planning in or near Baker before heading deeper into federal-land access points.

Trails

No trails synced for this park yet.

Campgrounds

Points of interest

Things to do

Visitor centers

Hours of operation

Great Basin National Park

Park Grounds and Trails Check "Visitor Centers" tab for facility-specific hours

Mon

All Day

Tue

All Day

Wed

All Day

Thu

All Day

Fri

All Day

Sat

All Day

Sun

All Day

Activities

Auto and ATVScenic DrivingAstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)Group CampingRV CampingCavingFishingFoodDiningPicnickingGuided ToursHikingBackcountry HikingHorse TrekkingHorse Camping (see also camping)Horseback RidingHunting and GatheringGathering and ForagingJunior Ranger ProgramSkiingSnowshoeingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs

Weather

There is almost an 8,000 ft (2,400 m) difference in elevation between Wheeler Peak and the valley floor. Weather conditions in the park vary with elevation. In late spring and early summer, days in the valley may be hot, yet the snow pack may not have melted in the higher elevations. The Great Basin is a desert, with low relative humidity and sharp drops in temperature at night. In the summer, fierce afternoon thunderstorms are common. It can snow any time of the year at high elevations.

Contact

Voice775-234-7331
Fax775-234-7269
Emailgrba_interpretation@nps.gov

Photos

Stay near this park

No horse-friendly stays listed near Great Basin National Park yet. Know a great barn or property? Help fellow riders by listing it.

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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, Highway 487. 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. No public transportation is available to, or in, Great Basin National Park.

Get directionsOfficial directions

Source: nps.gov