Wheeler Peak Campground
A stay at the Wheeler Peak Campground is a genuinely memorable experience. Shadowed beneath the hulking cliffs of Wheeler Peak and Doso Doyabi, a pair of Nevada’s true alpine monarchs, the views and campsites hover among the clouds. At nearly 10,000 feet in elevation your neighbors are Engelman spruce, mule deer and green meadows; your common distractions tumbling brooks and shimmering aspen leaves. A mile and a half up the trail will place you in the midst of the Wheeler Peak Bristlecone Grove, among trees so ancient that some have absorbed the fanciful hues of over a million sunsets. Take elevation and weather into account before you set out on your hike.
More like this: reservable in Nevada · pets allowed in Nevada · dark sky in Nevada
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 36 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
36 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 3 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 4 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 5 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 7 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 8 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 9 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 10 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 11 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 24 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | • Sites at Wheeler Peak Campground may be reserved up to one month in advance, generally between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Opening is sometimes delayed after heavy winters. • The nightly rate is $20. |
| Dark sky | Inside Great Basin National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Sites 5, 21, 33 are listed accessible |
Wheeler Peak Campground offers paved parking spurs, picnic tables, campfire rings and grills along with vault toilets. While towed vehicles are allowed, neither the towed nor towing vehicle may be over 24 feet in length.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Coordinates | 39.0109° N, 114.3044° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- No-Shows: A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. The remainder of the reservation will be canceled and refunded, less the first night's rate and a $20 service fee.
- Refunds will not be provided within 24 hours of the first day of the reservation. Refunds will not be provided due to weather.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Lehman RV Dump Station ↗ | 4.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Wheeler Peak Campground WALKTHRU
Worth a stop
Don't forget, Great Basin National Park was forshadowed when Lehman Caves was annointed a National Monument in 1922. The cave and its underground wonders are just thirty minutes away behind the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Access is by tour only so be sure to book a reservation before you arrive, or stop by the visitor center to check on remaining availability.
- 4.6 miLehman Caves Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 9.6 miGreat Basin Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Public land it sits in
Highland Ridge Wilderness begins about 10.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 10.8 miHighland Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 68,623 acres
- 12.9 miMt. Moriah Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 88,650 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Rhodes CabinBuilding · Baker · 4.5 mi
- Lehman Orchard and AqueductHistoric district · Baker · 4.6 mi
- Baker Ranger StationBuilding · Baker · 9.7 mi
Natural features
Views of some of Nevada’s most picturesque mountains are abundant and never more than a few steps away from your campsite, if that. Bolstered by permanent snow and icefields of the Wheeler Peak cirque the spring serenading you just to the south has cascaded through ancient quartzite which makes up the towering cathedrals above. Stretched out among alpine meadows ringed within a dense forest of Engleman spruce, the Wheeler Peak Campground provides shade at nearly every site while a quick stroll will often reveal mule deer, turkey, or in the autumn weeks the lively orange and gold of shimmering aspen.
Recreation
The drive alone is worth the price of admission, as they say, even though there is no entrance fee at this National Park. The 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive sweeps you over half a vertical mile to the Wheeler Peak Campground, just beneath what may be the most picturesque mountain in Nevada. Take in the view at Mather Overlook along the way. You can’t miss it. While the Wheeler Peak Campground is the most distant campground from the surreal Lehman Caves (a 30-minute drive down the mountain) it more than makes up for it in hiking opportunities. Two of the park’s most sought-after hikes, the Bristlecone Trail and Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, begin just outside of the campground entrance. The fully accessible.4 mile-long Sky Isalnd Nature Trail also presents a peaceful alternative. Beyond walking, the soundscapes and view-surfing are perfect for lounging, reading or catching up on some sleep after a long drive. Oh, and the caves are just 30 minutes away. If you prefer some less-traveled roads, consider a drive down the Snake Creek (no rvs or trailers) or Baker Creek Roads for such hiking destinations as Baker Lake or Johnson Lake.
Guidebooks for Great Basin National Park and Nevada
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Wheeler Peak Campground?
Sites at Wheeler Peak Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Wheeler Peak Campground?
• Sites at Wheeler Peak Campground may be reserved up to one month in advance, generally between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Opening is sometimes delayed after heavy winters. • The nightly rate is $20.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Wheeler Peak Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Wheeler Peak Campground?
No-Shows: A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. The remainder of the reservation will be canceled and refunded, less the first night's rat
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Wheeler Peak Campground have?
36 sites, including 36 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Wheeler Peak Campground?
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Wheeler Peak Campground have hookups?
Yes, water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Wheeler Peak Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Wheeler Peak Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Wheeler Peak Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Wheeler Peak Campground?
Sites 5, 21, and 33 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Wheeler Peak Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Wheeler Peak Campground sits inside Great Basin National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Wheeler Peak Campground?
The drive alone is worth the price of admission, as they say, even though there is no entrance fee at this National Park. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation