This episode of “Outdoor Nevada” takes us to the state’s only national park: Great Basin. Because of its isolation (four hours from Salt Lake City and five hours from Las Vegas), Great Basin has retained much of the unspoiled peace and beauty that has become difficult to find at more crowded parks such as Zion.
Along the way, host Connor Fields stops for a visit to the Spring Creek Fish Rearing Station, which serves as the sole source of stock fish for many of Nevada’s lakes and ponds. Next, he visits the quaint, quirky town of Baker, Nevada, just outside Great Basin, where he meets the proprietor of the Bristlecone General Store and learns some local history.
Finally, Fields sets off to enjoy the many hiking trails of Great Basin itself. He starts with the Pole Canyon trail, a lesser-known trail that follows the modest and beautiful Pole Creek. Then he heads up the Alpine Lakes Loop, a trail that visits the stunning Teresa and Stella Lakes. Throughout the hike, massive Wheeler Peak towers dramatically over the scenery.
Tour Name: Lehman Caves Guided Tour
Getting There: This one’s easy — the cave entrance is right behind the Great Basin National Park visitor center. The difficult part, especially during summer weekends, is scoring a reservation. Recreation.gov manages online ticketing for Lehman Caves’ three tours, and you can buy tickets up to 30 days in advance. The Gothic Palace tour is 30 minutes and $8, the Lodge Room tour is 60 minutes and $12, and the Grand Palace tour is 90 minutes and $15.
Distance: The Gothic, Lodge, and Grand Palace tours are a quarter, a half, and fourth-fifths of a mile, respectively. Elevation changes are minimal, but there are some stairs to climb and some tight passages that may require bending down or crouching.
Special Rules: To preserve the fragile environment of the cave, no food or drink, nor any bags, are allowed within the cave. Also, to protect endemic bats from the spread of white nose syndrome, avoid bringing in any items, including shoes and clothing, that have been exposed to other caves.
Pro Tip: If you’re only going to make it to Great Basin National Park once, then plan your trip around the availability of the Grand Palace tour. As tours get longer, they simply comprise successively added rooms, meaning the Grand Palace tour lets you see it all in one shot.