National Park · NV
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin is quietest in January and February and busiest in September.
From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the sagebrush-covered foothills, Great Basin National Park hosts a sample of the incredible diversity of the larger Great Basin region. Come and partake of the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore mysterious subterranean passages. There's a lot more than just desert here.
152K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Great Basin
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 | Mostly clear | 42°F | 33°F | 5% |
| Tue 20 | Light drizzle | 42°F | 32°F | 54% |
| Wed 21 | Light drizzle | 49°F | 35°F | 57% |
| Thu 22 | Rain showers | 40°F | 29°F | 87% |
| Fri 23 | Overcast | 36°F | 25°F | 53% |
| Sat 24 | Clear | 39°F | 25°F | 5% |
| Sun 25 | Mostly clear | 47°F | 27°F | 4% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F | 20°F | 1.3" |
| February | 41°F | 21°F | 1.5" |
| March | 48°F | 27°F | 1.2" |
| April | 55°F | 32°F | 1.6" |
| May | 64°F | 40°F | 1.3" |
| June | 76°F | 49°F | 1.1" |
| July | 85°F | 58°F | 0.9" |
| August | 83°F | 56°F | 1.2" |
| September | 73°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| October | 60°F | 36°F | 1.3" |
| November | 48°F | 26°F | 0.9" |
| December | 40°F | 20°F | 1.0" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GREAT BASIN NP, NV US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- Free — Free entrance
- Hours
- Park Grounds and Trails Check "Visitor Centers" tab for facility-specific hours
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Caution
No Potable Water in Park Campgrounds
There currently is no water available in any campground in Great Basin National Park. Water is available at the RV Fill and Dump Station, the Great Basin, and the Lehman Caves Visitor Center as well as some local businesses.
- Park Closure
Wheeler Peak Campground Seasonal Closure
The Wheeler Peak Campground will close for the season on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Availability in the other park campgrounds can be found on recreation.gov.
- Park Closure
Dump Station Seasonal Closure
Due to incoming winter weather, the park's dump station will be closing for the season at 12:00 pm on Friday, October 9, 2026. After that time, there will be no potable water available inside the National Park.
- Park Closure
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive Seasonal Closure
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is closed to vehicle traffic at the Summit Trailhead due to impacts from winter weather.
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Great Basin questions
When is the best time to visit Great Basin?
Great Basin is least crowded in January, February, and March. September is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Great Basin?
Entry to Great Basin is free.
When is Great Basin busiest?
Great Basin is busiest in September, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Great Basin during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Great Basin. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.