Complete Guide to Wheeler Peak Campground in Great Basin National Park in Nevada. Check out what to expect when camping along Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
Park Alerts
Current construction and rehabilitation projects at Great Basin National Park include:
* Rehabilitate wastewater collection and water distribution systems in areas surrounding Leahman Caves Visitor Center.
This will include temporary disruptions to the Leahman Caves Visitor Center Parking, access, and water systems. (Through November 2024)
* Lower Leahman Creek Campground expansion and renovation. Closed through the Winter of 2025
Wheeler Peak Campground - Great Basin National Park
Wheeler Campground is on the end of the 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. It is easily my favorite campground in Great Basin National Park and one of my favorites in the entire National Park System!
Wheeler Peak Campground is also the highest elevation campground in the National Park System at nearly 10,000 feet. This makes for the perfect place to spend time becoming acclimated to the elevation so you can reduce the effects of elevation/altitude sickness from hiking many of iconic trails, including the Bristlecone Trail, Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, and the Wheeler Peak Trail where the high point at the summit of Wheeler Peak is a staggering 13,063 ft in elevation!
Make sure to take time and set up in one of the open green meadows at the campground to watch one of its epic sunsets followed by the most mesmerizing night sky I have ever seen! You can see planets, satellites, and even the Milky Way. This alone is worth the price of admission.
The campground also has plenty of shade, including the dense forest of Engleman Spruce and wildlife like mule deer and turkey. Of course, the perfect time to come is in fall when the Aspen leaves turn bright yellow and shimmer in the wind.
Wheeler Peak Campground Map
Great Basin National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Great Basin National Park does not charge an entrance fee!
$80.00 For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Wheeler Peak Campground Fees
Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees.
Campground Reservations
Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes, from reservation from late June through Labor Day weekend
Phone Number? 1-877-444-6777
Online? Recreation.gov
Wheeler Peak Campground Information
The paved road is fantastic and easy to drive through the campground. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and lots of tree cover for shade.
Season: Depending on the weather, the campground is 9500 feet and will close in winter after the first snow event.
Number of Sites: 37
Checkout time: 12 pm (noon)
Campground Address:
Wheeler Peak Campground
Baker, NV 89311
Latitude/Longitude:
39° 0' 39.2760" N
114° 18' 15.8400" W
Elevation: 9500 Feet
Accessible Sites: There are accessible sites within the campground. The main road of this campground has paved parking areas for cars and campers. The campsites are gravel and dirt with some steep surfaces.
Location in the park: Located at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
How to get to Campground
From the east or west: From U.S. Highway 6 & 50, turn south on Nevada State Highway 487 and travel 5 miles to Baker, NV. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 miles to the park.
From the south (Utah): Travel north on Utah State Highway 21 through Milford, UT and Garrison, UT, which will become Nevada State Highway 487 as you cross the border. Turn west on Highway 488 in Baker and travel 5 miles to the park.
From the south (Nevada): Travel north on U.S. Highway 93 (Great Basin Highway). At the junction of U.S. Highway 6 & 50 drive east to Nevada State Highway 487 and turn south. Travel 5 miles to Baker, NV. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 miles to the park.
Campground Amenities
Potable Water? No
Bear Box in site/area? No
Flush Toilet Restrooms? No, Lower Lehman Creek Campground only has vault toilets/pit toilets
Laundry: No
Showers: No
Payphone: No
Is Wi-Fi available? No
Is Cellular Service Available? No
Is there a camp host available on-site? Yes, depending on the season
Is firewood available for purchase? No, Fires may only be built in provided metal fire rings. Fires must be extinguished when not attended. Only dead wood on the ground may be collected as fuel for campfires within the park. Standing trees or shrubs, alive or dead, and trees/shrubs that are still attached to the ground may not be collected. Chainsaw use is prohibited without a permit. Collection of Bristlecone Pine wood and any wood above 10,000 feet is not allowed.
Amphitheater: Yes, Seasonal
Are fire pits/campfire rings available at each site? Yes
Are Picnic Tables available at each site? Yes
RV Camping at Wheeler Peak Campground
Neither towing nor towed vehicles exceeding 24 feet in length are accommodated along the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive or at Wheeler Peak Campground.
RV Hookups Available: No
RV Length: Up to 24 feet
Generators: Generators may only be used between 8 am and 8 pm.
Dump Station: There is a dump station near the visitor center.
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: No more than two vehicles, three tents, one RV, or eight people allowed per campsite
The number of cars per campsite: No more than two vehicles, three tents, one RV, or eight people allowed per campsite
Checkout time: 11 am
Quiet Hours: 8 pm to 8 am
Stay Limits: Maximum continuous stay at any campsite is 14 days.
Pets Allowed: Pets must be secured in a vehicle or on a leash of no more than six feet at all times. They must be attended at all times. Pets are not allowed on any trails, or the backcountry, within Great Basin National Park. They may be walked on paved surfaces or any roads legally drivable by vehicle. Please clean up after your pets.
Tents must be placed within 30 feet of the campsite's picnic table and/or fire ring.
For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando.
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Water Bottle
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
National Park Passport Stamps
Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us.
Lodging near Great Basin National Park
The majority of lodging for Great Basin NP can be found in Ely, Nevada about an hour from the park.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ely - We stayed in this hotel during our last visit to the park and it was great. Free continental breakfast, a free manager's reception, and a fireplace in the lobby. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a 24-hour business center.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ely - Free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour gym are just a few of the amenities provided at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ely, an IHG Hotel. Treat yourself to some rest and relaxation at Steam Room, the onsite spa. In addition to a 24-hour business center and a steam room, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Hotel Nevada - We stayed in this historic casino hotel during one of our trips to the park. It is definitely a historic hotel.
Additional Photos of Wheeler Peak Campground
Additional National Park Resources
Complete Guide to exploring Great Basin National Park - Guide with information about Great Basin National Park, including activities, camping, hiking, and more!
Top Things to Do in Great Basin NP - List of the park's popular attractions and what not to miss!
Great Basin Camping Guide - Complete guide to camping at Great Basin National Park, including Grey Cliffs Campground, Lower Lehman Creek Campground, Upper Lehman Creek Campground, Snake Creek Campground, and Baker Creek Campground.
Great Basin Star Train Nevada - See the stars with a Great Basin Park Ranger.
Lehman Caves Guide - Coming Soon
Check out all of the Nevada National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Oregon, National Parks in Idaho, Utah National Parks, California National Parks, and Arizona National Parks
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