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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Just outside of Baker, Nevada, lies one of the prettiest national parks in the country. Unlike Utah's "Mighty Five," though, Great Basin National Park doesn't get near the attention or visitors that Zion, Arches or Bryce Canyon do.
Great Basin is a literal oasis in the desert, rising out of the dusty Nevada landscape to offer some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities within a four-hour drive of Salt Lake City.
Why Great Basin?
With so many incredible national and state parks in Utah, why bother making the trip out to Nevada? Well, Great Basin National Park offers a few unique things. First and foremost would be relative solitude, followed closely by the park's incredible hiking opportunities and the Lehman Caves.
Hiking
The big hiking attraction in Great Basin National Park is Wheeler Peak. It's the tallest (not the highest, which is an important distinction) mountain in the entire Great Basin. Wheeler Peak sits at 13,159 feet.
Climbing Wheeler Peak is possible along the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail, which totals 8.6 miles round trip. It's a moderately easy hike for such a high-elevation peak, since the trailhead begins at 10,160 feet above sea level. That leaves just under 2,900 feet of total elevation gain for the duration of the hike.
It's worth noting, though, that starting at 10,000 feet presents its own problems. Most hikers aren't acclimated to the lower oxygen levels at 10,000 feet. If you plan on climbing Wheeler Peak, it's a good idea to spend a night at the trailhead before beginning your summit bid.
Fishing
Nevada is the driest state in the Union and it's hardly at the top of most angler's bucket list. However, there's plenty of great small-stream fishing available in the park.
Lehman Creek, Baker Creek and Baker Lake are all listed on the park's website as places worth throwing a few casts. These streams have a lot of brush so fly fishing can be difficult, but it's still possible.
Native Bonneville cutthroat trout, browns and rainbows are available in the park's creeks. Baker Lake contains Lahontan cutthroat and brook trout, and it's the best place in the park for fly anglers to visit.
The Lehman Caves are only accessible through guided tours, which are offered daily except for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
Prices for tours of the cave range from $9-$11 for adults, and $5-$6 for children. Children under 5 are free. The tours often sell out, so park officials recommend making a reservation in advance.
Tours are broken up into exploring either the Lodge Room or Grand Palace. The Grand Palace tour takes visitors through all of the cave's most thrilling features, including the famous "Parachute Shield" formation.
Getting there
From Nephi, take Highway 132 west as it heads toward Delta. In Delta, you'll continue driving west on Highway 50 until reaching the town of Baker. Depending on where you live along the Wasatch Front, the drive takes three to four hours.
Conclusion
It may not be the first place you think of as a weekend getaway, but Great Basin National Park has more than enough to keep an outdoors enthusiast occupied. From the sweeping views atop Wheeler Peak to the gorgeous caves beneath the ground, Great Basin National Park is a place that offers something for everyone.
Editor's note: This article initially said "Might Five." That has been corrected to "Mighty Five."
