Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Great Basin/Wheeler Peak Campground
Overview
Wheeler Peak Campground provides an immersive high-altitude experience within Great Basin National Park near Baker, Nevada. Situated at nearly 10,000 feet, this campground serves as the premier gateway to the park’s rugged alpine terrain and ancient forests. It provides a truly rustic escape for travelers looking to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with the raw beauty of the high desert's most dramatic and isolated mountain peaks.
Location & Surroundings
The campground is located at the terminus of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, a steep and winding road that climbs thousands of feet from the desert floor into a lush sub-alpine ecosystem. Surrounded by thick aspen groves and towering Engelmann spruce, visitors enjoy cool summer temperatures and sweeping views of the Nevada landscape below. The transition from sagebrush to mountain forest creates a seclusion and grandeur that makes this one of the most unique locations in the West.
Amenities & Park Features
As a primitive National Park Service facility, the campground focuses on the natural environment rather than modern luxuries. It features 37 campsites equipped with sturdy picnic tables and fire rings, while vault toilets and seasonal potable water provide the only basic necessities. There are no hookups or cell service available, and the narrow, winding access road typically limits the campground to smaller RVs and trailers under 24 feet in total length.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find themselves at the doorstep of the Bristlecone Pine Grove, home to trees thousands of years old. Hikers can also explore the trail to the Wheeler Peak Glacier or take a guided tour of the nearby Lehman Caves. As the sun sets, the area becomes an International Dark Sky Park, offering world-class stargazing where the Milky Way is exceptionally bright and visible to the naked eye without specialized equipment.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for adventurous dry-campers and those traveling in nimble, smaller rigs who value solitude and immediate trail access. If you seek a quiet environment away from the noise of commercial resorts, this park is a perfect fit. It is a bucket-list spot for nature photographers and stargazers who prioritize pristine natural surroundings and the rewarding simplicity of camping at the roof of the Great Basin.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Lydia Long
Beautiful campground. Well spaced sites. Unfortunately pit toilets need attention and no one is cleaning sites.
Seung Hyun Yoo
This campground was recently renovated to the perfect condition. The driveway entering each site paved with asphalt. The table, fireplace, and grill area also paved with concrete. My site #22 provides a clear and spectacular view of Wheeler Peak.
Sm Anderson
Campground is great. Several sites can accomodate a 20+ ft trailer, but most are short. But be careful at the parking lot. Even at 10k ft elevation, a wild Methany will appear, wiping her hands all over your car and peeping into your windows. Hide your gear! As at all Nat Parks, do not approach, provoke, or feed the wildlife.
TBG
Took these photos last fall while the campground was being updated for anyone to see what most spaces look like. Each photo has a space number associated with it.
Tania
Great campground. First come first serve. We paid $20/night and we stayed Monday-Thursday (the end of June). The campground wasn’t busy. We got lucky with our spot as there was a creek right next to us. We saw deer walking by every day. Lots of bugs, so bring the bug spray. There are a lot of hiking trails nearby so you don’t even need to drive anywhere. ! Expect to have no cell service or maybe a bar. Also, be careful with the altitude sickness. I would recommend to spend several days at the campground (doing small hikes, e.g. to the lakes) before doing the Wheeler Peak hike.