Current Projects

 

Infrastructure Projects at Great Basin National Park, 2024.

NPS

Current and Scheduled Impacts (Updated 8/7/24)

• Summer Season Due to ongoing chip seal and pothole repair project, expect up to 10-30min delays on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and main park road. Flaggers will be present and traffic will be reduced to one lane in some sections.
• 07/29/2024 Closure of Wheeler Peak Campground and Bristlecone Trailhead until further notice. The Alpine Lakes, Bristlecone Grove, and Glacier are still accessible via the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail Head.

Rehabilitate Deteriorated Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution Systems

This Great American Outdoors Act - Legacy Restoration Fund project will replace the aging sewer collection system and potable water distribution piping in the areas surrounding the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Current systems were installed in the 1960s and due to the system deteriorating it needs replacement.

Dates: Through Winter 2024

Status 08/27/2024: Temporary disruptions to Lehman Caves Visitor Center parking, access, and water systems, including restroom closures. These disruptions may affect cave tour schedules and visitor center hours. Heavy equiptment may be present on park roads during construction.

Alternatives: Visit the Great Basin Visitor Center in Baker to speak with a ranger for additional impacts. Rangers will be available every day to assist with trip planning, emergency reporting, and general park information.

Upgrade and Improve the Bristlecone Recreation Area and Trailhead System

A major renovation to the most heavily trafficked trailhead in the park includes replacement and expansion of asphalt parking lots, accessibility upgrades, crosswalks, a new picnic area, and improved signage.

Dates: Late July 2024 through Winter 2024.

Status 08/27/2024: The Bristlecone Trailhead and Wheeler Peak Campground are closed until further notice.

Alternatives: Parking will be available at the Summit Trailhead, located approximately 1 mile from the Bristlecone Trailhead. This will allow continued access to this popular area of the park, but parking will be limited so arrive early for best chances at a spot. Hiking is also available throughout the park, so consider alternatives like those found on our Hiking pages. Want to see Bristlecone pines and ready for a bit of a challenge? You may continue to access the Wheeler Peak Bristlecone trailhead via the Lehman Creek Trail, or follow the Snake Divide route to the Magic Grove.

Refurbish and Improve the Lower Lehman Creek Campground

This project involves redevelopment and expansion of Lower Lehman Creek Campground from 11 to 20 sites, including accessibility upgrades, a host site, fee station and trailhead improvements, new waterlines, and an expanded entrance road. Three sites will be upgraded to accommodate those with accessibility needs.

Dates: Through Winter of 2024

Status 08/27/2024: Work underway on new roadway and campsites. Lower Lehman Creek Campground closed through Winter 2024.

Alternatives: Camping will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at Baker Creek and Upper Lehman Creek campgrounds throughout the summer for tents and RVs/trailers, and at Loop A of Grey Cliffs campground for tents only.

Pavement Preservation Project

This project includes a chip seal, micro surfacing, patching, crack sealing of all paved park roads and parking lots to improve the visitor experience, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the life of the existing pavement surface. Chip seals typically occur on 10 year cycles, with the Scenic Drive only undergoing two since its creation many decades ago.

Dates: Beginning week of July 8th through September 2024

Status 08/27/2024: Most work on this project has now been completed, however, there may be some areas that require touch-up jobs. Additonally, a second coat of striping will need to be applied to the road. This Second coat may require temporary road closures. Website alerts will be updated with current informaiton on closures.

Alternatives: The chip seal project mainly affects paved surfaces in the park. To avoid any delays or closure, head down one of the improved gravel roads in the park like Snake Creek Road or Strawberry Creek Road for a variety of hiking and learning opportunities.