Changes in the Park

This article was originally published in The Midden – Great Basin National Park: Vol. 21, No. 1, Summer 2021.

The new astronomy amphitheater bathed in red light to help with night sky viewing.

NPS Photo by Gretchen Baker

-New Astronomy Amphitheater opens in 2021, with programs on Thursday and Saturday nights throughout the summer.

-A Bronze sculpture of Wheeler cirque and rock glacier was installed in August 2020 and provides a new way to view the high elevations. A video of the artist, Bridget Keimel, explaining her creative process is also available to watch.

-Lehman Caves Visitor Center exhibits are open. These fantastic exhibits focus on Discover the Dark, with cave and night sky sections.

-Wheeler Peak Campground is closed for renovations this summer. Grey Cliffs, Upper Lehman, and Lower Lehman Campgrounds are open by reservation only. Much of June and July are already full, so plan ahead! First-come first-served camping at Baker Creek Campground and along Snake Creek.

-Lehman Cave tours resume in 2021! Tours are limited and it’s highly recommended to book ahead on recreation. gov. Tours enter and exit through the Exit Tunnel. If you can’t visit in person (or want to get a different perspective), the Virtual Cave Tour is available for free.