Located about three miles up the Baker Creek Road, the Baker Creek Trailhead has access to three trails; South Fork Baker trail, Timber Creek Trail, and Baker Lake. These trails venture through aspen groves and pine tree stands up to alpine lakes and meadows. Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

Gravel road with interpretive sign in the distance with aspens trees changing colors

Baker Creek Trailhead

Baker Lake is one of the largest mountain lakes on Great Basin National Park. Nestled in a mountain cirque the beautiful lake frequently has snow on its rocky banks. The lake can be reached by taking the Baker Lake Trail for six miles at the Baker Creek Trailhead.

Baker lake viewed from above with trees sounding a blue lake.

Baker Lake

Walk among the ancients here. 2.8 miles roundtrip. 600 feet elevation gain.Begin at the trailhead at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The beginning of the trail will start in a forested area and will eventually make its way up a talus slope. Watch your footing. Once you reach the Bristlecone Grove, there are interpretive signs to educate you and inspire you. The trees watching you are around 4,000 years old.

Grey rock with pine trees growing throughout and Doso Doyabi in the background

Trail to the Wheeler Bristlecone Grove

Bristlecone Grove

The starting point for the alpine lakes, bristlecone and glacier trails, and the accessible Island Forest Trail. The end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is also the home of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm">Wheeler Peak Campground</a>.   The Montane life zone teems with life. Mule deer, turkeys, ground squirrels, Clark’s nutcrackers, and hermit thrushes are common sights in this area contrasted by the much rarer Mountain Lion. Engelman spruce and limber pine are the two conifers found in this area. Up the trails you’ll see groves of aspen trees, and even further up the Great Basin Bristlecone Pines.  <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/identifying-bristlecone-pines.htm">Bristlecone pines</a> are the oldest single living organisms on earth, and they cut a striking image among the rocky landscape. The sleepy behemoths can live for thousands of years, with wind and fierce weather twisting them into gnarly shapes that stand out among the landscape. Begin at the Bristlecone trailhead and hike the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/hiking-information.htm">2.8 mile out-and-back trail</a> to see these ancient trees and be reminded of humans’ short time on Earth.  While the Bristlecone Trailhead is the start of many adventures, it is also the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. This tour took you from dry, salty sagebrush at low elevations all the way up to rich mountain ecosystems bustling with life. Pick either the Bristlecone/Glacier trail or the Summit trail, both of which start here, and follow it above the tree line to experience the splendor of the alpine life zone.

Doso Doyabi's jagged peaks in the background with loose rock and occasional trees in the foreground

The Alpine Life Zone

Bristlecone Parking Area - Montane & Alpine (Stop 7)

Bristlecone, Alpine Lake and Sky Island Forest Trailhead is located at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, 12 miles up. This is one of the most popular trailheads at Great Basin National Park. The Wheeler Bristlecone Grove is just a 3.2 mile roundtrip hike form the trailhead, this is one of the most visited area of the park during the summer and fall. This trailhead also offer access to a wheelchair accessible .4 mile trail and a 2.7 mile loop that visits two alpine lakes. Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

ADA accessible trailhead if the Sky Island Forest trail with bench visible.

Sky Island Forest Trailhead

Bristlecone, Alpine Lake and Sky Island Forest Trailhead

Johnson Lake is located deep in the backcountry of Great Basin National Park. Near this mountain lake there are historic building and mining equipment, please to not enter or disturb any historic sites. There are multiple different trails that lead to Johnson Lake both from the Baker Creek Trailhead and Snake Creek Trailhead.

Mountain lake with downed trees on shore line

Johnson Lake

Lehman Creek Trailhead is located in the Upper Lehman Creek Campground. This trailhead offer access to the Lehman Creek trail. This trailhead also is the point of access for the alpine lakes and bristlecone area during the winter.  Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

Lehman Creek trail covered in orange aspen leaves

Lehman Creek Trail

Lehman Creek Trailhead

Rising high above the floor of Lexington Canyon, this imposing natural arch was created by the forces of weather working slowly over a span of centuries. Lexington Arch is unusual in one important respect: it is carved from limestone. Most of the natural arches of the western United States are composed of sandstone. The fact that Lexington Arch is made of limestone leads to speculation that it was once a passage in a cave system. Flowstone, a smooth glossy deposit that forms in caves, has been found at the base of the opening lending support to this theory. The hike to the base of the Arch is over 2.7 miles (total round trip mileage is 5.4 miles). The last quarter mile climbs several short switchbacks to the arch. *Expect an additional 0.5 - 1 mile each way for walking up the washout on the road before reaching the official trailhead.

Large 200 foot limestone arch on the side of a canyon

Lexington Arch

Approximately 14 miles from Hwy 487, speed limit unpaved, 25 mph.   Lexington Arch road provides access to Lexington Arch Trail. After experiencing a wildfire in 2013, a lot of the once vibrant vegetation has been scorched, leaving the road exposed to the hot summer sun. Be Advised! Lexington Arch road is unpaved and has extreme washouts a mile before the trailhead. Do not attempt to drive the last section of this road. To hike this trail park at the last fork in the road. Bring sunscreen and good hiking boots. A creek runs along the road, juxtaposing green life against the stark black and grey decay. Enjoy the rolling hills, full of Utah Juniper and Pinyon Pine to the north, contrasted with the burnt scarring to the south. Follow the cairns along the road to find the trailhead.

Green and white road sign for Lexington arch road

Lexington Arch Road

Lexington Arch Trailhead is located on the Lexington Arch road deep in the backcountry of Great Basin National Park. The trailhead is located 2.5 miles from the Arch at the final fork in the road. Do not drive past the last fork in the road. The trail follows the old road for about a mile then changes into hiking trail. This area was recently subject to a forest fire beware of falling trees. Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

Trail leading to Lexington arch with burned trees around

Lexington Arch trail

Lexington Arch Trailhead

This is a leisurely walk in the pinyon-juniper forest. The trail guide (available for loan at the front desk) describes the geology and ecology of the area. The trail starts at the Rhodes Cabin next to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. 

Snow covered trail with historic in foreground.

Mountain View Nature Trail

Location

Significance

Designation

Mountain View Nature Trail Trailhead

The Ocseola Trailhead is located about 4.5 miles up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The Ocseola trail runs 4.5 miles from the Scenic Drive to the Strawberry Creek Trailhead through pine stands, rocky paths, and burn scared areas. Parts of this area have been subject to a resent forest fire, beware of falling trees.  Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

Ocseola Trailhead

A pull-off on the side of the scenic drive offers access to the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/hiking-information.htm">Osceola Ditch trail</a> , a relatively flat 9.2-mile round trip trail that leads to the Strawberry Creek area of the park. For a shorter hike, consider taking the trail roughly one mile in to Mill Creek and then return. When a remnant population of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/nature/reintroducing-bonneville-cutthroat-trout.htm">native Bonneville Cutthroat Trout</a> was found in Mill Creek, the stream became a catalyst for reintroducing the parks only native trout to other streams of the snake range. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/historyculture/the-osceola-ditch.htm">Gold was discovered</a> 3 miles west of Great Basin National Park in 1877. Water is a critical element in gold mining, and in 1889 construction began on a ditch to bring water from Lehman Creek on the east side of the Snake Range to the gold mines on the west. Limited gold returns, hampered by a water flume that did not deliver enough water, led gold mining to largely stop in 1905. Remnants of the original flume can be found along the trail, with century old pieces of wood baking in the sun.   Now that you’re above 8,000 feet, the montane life zone surrounds you. This stop also shows that general life zones are not perfectly delineated and can blend in their transitions. The area surrounding the road is studded with piñon and juniper trees, along with some larger coniferous species, such as white fir, ponderosa pine, and douglas fir. Listen for melodic Cassin’s finches and the repetitive red-breasted nuthatch.  Enjoy the crisper air as you rise in elevation and keep an eye out as the Montane zone becomes more evident, soaking in the magnificent views of the Snake Valley.

Green sign with the text "Osceola Ditch" next to a road surrounded by green pine trees

Osceola Ditch Trailhead

Osceola Ditch - Montane (Stop 4)

Pole Canyon Trailhead located near the Grey Cliff Campground. This trailhead offers access to the Pole Canyon Trail. This trail goes through meadows and over low mountain passes. Offering great views of Snake valley and aspen groves this trail is a great choice for hike any time of the year, even in the winter with snowshoes. Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

Pole canyon trail with aspens changing to bright yellow

Pole Canyon Trailhead

A small parking lot that can fit about 5 cars off the side of the snake creek road. surrounded by trees on one side and scrub brush on the other.

Serviceberry Trailhead is located along the Snake Creek road. This trailhead offers access to a 3.2 mile loop that travels through aspen and serviceberry groves. This hike gains 700 feet giving a great view of the Snake Creek area.   Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations. Pets are not permitted on this trail.

Green trailhead sign with sage colored brush surrounding it.

Serviceberry Trailhead

Snake Creek Trailhead is located 12 miles down the Snake Creek Road. This trailhead offers access to many different trails; Shoshone Trail, Dead Lake Trail, Johnson Lake Trail, and the ADA Shoshone Trail. These trails offer views of aspen groves, sweeping views, and mountain lakes.  Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

Sage meadow with aspens and mountain in the back ground.

Snake Creek Trailhead

Stella Lake is located along the Alpine Lakes Loop trail. Stella Lake is one of the easier mountain lakes to hike to. Offering grand views of Wheeler Peak and Doso Doyabi, Stella Lake is a popular trail for visitors that have only a short time to hike. This lake can be accessed from two different trailheads; Bristlecone, Alpine Lake, Sky Island Forest Trailhead and Summit Trailhead.

Stella Lake in early spring with snow and ice

Stella Lake

Approximately 10 miles, unpaved, speed limit 25 mph.   Access to Osceola and Strawberry Creek trails. Strawberry Creek experienced a wildfire in the summer of 2016. Drive through the scorched scar of the valley and observe life return to nature. A great place to bird watch, spot snakes and other wildlife. At dusk and dawn, it is common to see herds of Elk over the rugged terrain, grazing on grass, and sometimes crossing the dirt road in large groups. Strawberry Creek is closed to camping as there are a lot of hazardous trees. Heavy winds often fell these trees into the road, causing temporary closures. Generally closed in the winter due to heavy snow, Strawberry Creek road is unpaved with varying conditions. Expect washboard for the first quarter of mile of the road. Check conditions before heading out.

Green and white road sign for Strawberry Creek

Strawberry Creek Road

Strawberry Creek Trailhead is located in the north section of the Great Basin National Park at the end of the Strawberry Creek Road. This trailhead gives access to the Strawberry Creek Loop Trail and the Osecola Ditch Trail. These trails offer different experiences with in the park. Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

Trail head with children playing near a bridge. Fall colors in background.

Strawberry Creek Trailhead

The Summit Trailhead gives access to the Wheeler Summit Trail. This trail leads to the summit of Wheeler Peak, over 4.2 miles one way. This trail is considered strenuous and hikers should be prepared for a steep and exposed hike.  Thunderstorms and high winds are common. During the summer snow still may be on the trail at the higher elevations. Parking is limited, please follow all parking and driving regulations.

View from the summit trail of wheeler peak with a green meadow and grey mountains

Summit Trailhead

Teresa Lake is located along the Alpine Lakes Loop trail. Located in the popular alpine area of Great Basin National Park, Teresa Lake is one of two lakes along the trail. This lake can also be seen buy diverging from the bristlecone trail just .2 miles. This lake can be accessed from Bristlecone, Alpine Lake, Sky Island Forest Trailhead.

Teresa Lake with Wheeler Peak on the background.

Teresa Lake

Featuring 23 campsites, 2 picnic areas, a fishing dock, and the trailhead for the Lehman Creek Trail, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm">Upper Lehman Creek Campground</a> is a lovely stop on your drive up through the varied life zones along the Scenic Drive.   The Piñon – Juniper life zone is dominated by low, bushy evergreens, mainly singleleaf piñon pines and Utah junipers. The area within and around Upper Lehman campground is a rich wetland fed by Lehman Creek, home to non-native brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. The increased level of moisture, largely due to snowmelt in the spring, allows larger trees to thrive, including ponderosa pines, mountain mahogany, and white fir. Birds you may encounter include American robins, Townsend’s solitaires, and mountain chickadees.  Enjoy the babbling of Lehman Creek from the fishing dock across from campsite 7 or relax underneath the shade of the trees at the picnic areas.

Wooden dock in front of a flowing, rocky creek flanked by green, lush banks of grass and aspens

Upper Lehman Fishing area

Upper Lehman Creek Campground - Piñon Juniper (Stop 3)

Great Basin National Park is home to the only glacier in Nevada, and one of the southernmost glaciers in the United States. The Wheeler Peak Glacier sits at the base of Wheeler Peak, in a protected cirque around 11,500 feet in elevation. The alpine glacier is about two acres in area. Its exact depth is unknown.  To hike to the glacier start at the Bristlecone, Alpine Lake, and Sky Island Forest Trailhead and follow the trail signs for the glacier.

Rocky trail to the glacier surrounded with moraine

Wheeler Cirque Glacier

Approximately 12 miles, paved, steep grade, speed limit 35 mph, length limit 24 feet.   The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive provides access to multiple trails including Osceola, Summit, Alpine Lakes, Glacier, and Bristlecone. There are three campgrounds along this road; Lower Lehman, Upper Lehman, and Wheeler Peak. Offering fantastic view of the valley bellow and the the mountains above this drive twists and turns up to 10,000 feet with aspens and pine trees along the way. Being the most popular road in the summer, the Scenic Drive and the parking lots along it may be crowded. Please be courteous to other visitors and obey all parking laws.

Road with green plants on either side and brow mountain in background

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive

From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, to the sage-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 whole lot more than just desert here!