Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [231]
Other Summer Sports & Activities
Biking. Although biking is permitted only on designated motor vehicle roads, the park has miles of dirt roads, many of which handle little traffic. Bikers should check with rangers about which roads are open and their current conditions.
Educational Programs. The Great Basin Association (see "Information," earlier in this chapter) presents programs and seminars throughout the summer. Schedules change, but past programs have included archaeology field trips, hands-on American Indian craft making, and astronomy. Most programs are free, although donations are appreciated. Contact the Great Basin Association for current information.
Fishing. The park's small, clear mountain streams provide good but somewhat challenging fishing for rainbow, brook, and brown trout. Anglers over 11 will need a Nevada fishing license, available in Baker.
Horseback Riding. Some of the backcountry trails are open to horseback riding; check with park rangers.
Wildlife Viewing. Almost every visitor to Great Basin National Park will see wildlife, whether some of the many mule deer that frequent the campgrounds, meadows, and creek sides; or birds such as pinyon jays, western tanagers, and Clark's nutcrackers. Park visitors should also watch for golden eagles, bighorn sheep, bobcats, and small mammals including rock squirrels, wood rats, and marmots.
Winter Sports
Although there are no designated cross-country ski trails, once snow falls— sometimes as early as October—the park becomes a winter playground, especially at higher elevations. You can use cross-country skis or snowshoes on many of the trails and several roads, although it's best to talk with rangers about your plans before setting out so you can avoid trails that might be too steep for your ability. In lean snow years
you may have to hike a bit from parking areas to snow that's right for skiing, but there's almost always plenty of snow at the higher elevations.
One favorite cross-country ski trip is up Baker Creek Road, which leads to Baker Creek Campground, and then on up the Baker Creek Trail for a while before heading back. Those particularly skilled and in good physical condition might ski the 4-mile trail from Upper Lehman Creek Campground up to Wheeler Peak Campground. The trail climbs about 2,100 feet. Although Wheeler Peak Campground is technically closed from about mid-October through mid-June, skiers are welcome to spend the night.
There are no snowshoe or cross-country ski rentals available in the park or nearby.
Camping
INSIDE THE PARK
The park has four developed campgrounds—Lower Lehman Creek, Upper Lehman Creek, Baker Creek, and Wheeler Peak—with a total of just over 100 sites. They have lots of trees, pit toilets, and picnic tables. Those with large RVs will want to arrive as early in the day as possible because only a limited number of sites can easily accommodate rigs over 25 feet.
One campground is open year-round; the others are open from spring through fall, weather permitting. There are also some primitive campsites along Strawberry Creek, in the far northern reaches of the park, and along Snake Creek, in the southern half of the park. These sites have tables and fire grates but no drinking water. There are a few pit toilets along Snake Creek, but no toilets along Strawberry Creek.
Backcountry camping is also permitted; see the section "Exploring the Backcountry," above. The park has an RV dump station (near the visitor center) but no hookups or showers. The park's only public telephone is at the visitor center, which is not within walking distance of any campgrounds. All campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
NEAR THE PARK
The Border Inn RV Park, on U.S. 50/6 at the Nevada-Utah border (P.O. Box 30), Baker, NV 89311 (☎ 775/234-7300; www.greatbasinpark.com/borderinn.htm), is about 13 miles northeast of the national park. It has 22 gravel pull-through RV