Great Basin National Park offers over 60 miles of developed hiking trails. Trail maps are available for purchase through the Western National Parks Association bookstores in both visitor centers.
Day hikers are asked to sign in at trailhead registers. Permits are not required for backcountry camping, but registration is free and strongly encouraged. Registering provides rescuers with critical information in case of an emergency. Stop at a visitor center or call (775) 234-7331 x 212 for current information on trail conditions and routes.
Access
The hiking season at Great Basin National Park is typically limited to the months of June through September because many trails are at elevations of 9,000 feet or more. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is not plowed and may not open until mid-June, weather depending. Gravel roads that lead to the remote southern section of the park are impassable until late spring. Four-wheel drive is required on some of these roads, especially when wet. Inquire at the visitor center or call (775) 234-7331 x 212 for more information on current road conditions.
Trails
If trails are provided, stay on them. Alpine communities are especially fragile and easily damaged. Taking shortcuts creates a complex web of trails and causes erosion. When traveling cross country, avoid damaging vegetation by staying on durable surfaces such as rock or mineral soil.
Map reading skills are essential to any off-trail travel in the park. Backpackers should be prepared to hike cross-country on hard-to-follow routes, or to follow drainages, ridges and other natural features.
Water
Hikers and backpackers are advised to carry ample water on any trip. Water sources in the backcountry are highly variable from year to year and season to season. Generally, late spring is the time of most abundant water. By late summer, streams and springs can be dry. All surface water should be treated by boiling or filtering to kill bacteria before drinking.
Staying hydrated is important when hiking in desert regions. Bring plenty of water and drink it!
Camping
Backcountry camping is not permitted within 1/4 mile of any developed site (i.e. road, building, campground, etc.), within the Wheeler Peak or Lexington Arch Day Use Areas, or in bristlecone pine groves. Campsites must be a minimum of 100 feet away from trails and water. Camp on mineral soil if possible, and avoid camping in the treeless alpine zone.
Human Waste Disposal
Pick a site at least 200 ft. (60 m) from water, trails and campsites. Bury waste in a hole 4 - 8 inches deep. All toilet paper should be packed out.
Fires
The park strongly recommends using stoves to cook in the backcountry. Fires should always be small and never left unattended. Use already established fire rings if possible. Only dead and down wood (already on the ground) may be collected. Bristlecone pine wood may not be burned, even if dead and down. No fires are allowed about 10,000 feet. If conditions warrant, fires may be prohibited in the backcountry.
Weather
Elevations in the park range from 6,200 to 13,063 feet, which leads to highly variable weather conditions year round. At elevations of 10,000 feet and higher, snow and/or electrical storms can be life-threatening, and can occur any month of the year. Be prepared for changing conditions.
Hazards
Be aware of other hazards that exist when hiking in the backcountry such as hypothermia, dehydration, altitude sickness and sun exposure. Prepare appropriately for these and other situations.
Abandoned mines are common in the backcountry. They can be extremely dangerous. Shafts and tunnels are unstable; do not enter them.
Firearms
Firearms are not allowed in the park.
Pack Animals
Horses, llamas, and mules are allowed on a few backcountry trails as pack animals. Scatter manure piles at trailheads and at backcountry campsites. Remember to picket, hobble, or graze animals at least 100 yards from any water source. All packed feed must be certified weed-free.
Pets
Pets are not allowed in the backcountry or on trails.
Bicycles
Bicycles are prohibited on all trails.
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