Current Projects

 

Infrastructure Projects at Great Basin National Park, 2024.

NPS

Current and Scheduled Impacts (Updated 05/02/25)

• Minor Parking Disruptions at Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Please arrive early for cave tours to ensure you find a parking space.
• Lower Lehman Creek Campground Closure beginning May 19, 2025. Last night for camping will be May 18, 2025 for continuation of the Lower Lehman Creek Rehabilitation and Expansion project.
• Ongoing construction traffic on park roads. Water and wastewater line replacement is ongoing, resulting in frequent truck and heavy equipment traffic on park roads. Please drive with caution when construction traffic is present.

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 Spring 2025

Status 05/02/2025: Ongoing temporary disruptions to Lehman Caves Visitor Center parking, access, and water systems, including restroom closures. Heavy equipment may be present on park roads during construction.

Alternatives: Rangers will be available every day to assist with trip planning, emergency reporting, and general park information. The Great Basin Visitor Center is also open (see operating hours here) to assist.

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: May 19, 2025 through Winter 2025

Status 05/02/2025: Work will continue beginning May 19th to expand the campground by adding additional campsites and rehabilitating existing ones. Last night to camp will be on May 18th, 2025 until reopening later in the year.

Alternatives: Camping will be available at other campgrounds in the park when Lower Lehman closes.

 

Completed Projects

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 October 2024.

Status 10/16/2024: The chip seal and pavement preservation has been completed on paved roads within the park and in park facilities in Baker. No further road closures expected.

Protecting Lehman Caves Through Improved Infrastructure and Outreach

This project will remove aging and ecologically damaging sections of the cave tour path and replace them with updated materials and components allowing for a safer visitor experience and improving the long term infrastructure of the cave tour path.

Dates: Winter 2023 through June 9, 2024

Status: New tour paths and platforms have been installed in the Cypress Swamp and Sunken Garden. New infrastructure has been installed to support future Wild Cave Tours and maintain natural airflow through the deeper rooms.

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 October 2024.

Status 10/16/2024: The Bristlecone Trailhead has reopened and work has been largely completed.