Great basin national park directions

Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park, Nevada | Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Arlene WallerGreat Basin National Park, nestled in the heart of Nevada, is a hidden gem that captivates visitors with its diverse landscapes and unique features. The park is renowned for its ancient bristlecone pine groves, some of the oldest living trees on Earth, as well as the mesmerizing Lehman Caves. Hiking trails wind through alpine meadows, rugged canyons, and towering peaks, offering stunning views and encounters with wildlife like mule deer and mountain goats. Stargazing in the park’s designated dark sky areas is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Great Basin National Park invites explorers to delve into its natural wonders, revealing the extraordinary beauty and tranquility of the Great Basin region. Be sure to visit the park website for current closures and conditions.Top Photography Locations and Sights at Great Basin National Park:As photographers, we know that many of you will only have one chance in a lifetime to visit the National Parks. To make your life easier, we have compiled a list of our top photography locations and sights at Great Basin National Park! While this is not comprehensive, and there are many more amazing sights to see, it should give you a good feel for the park. Great Basin National Park Wildlife Photography:Great Basin National Park is filled with wildlife and biodiversity. If you like wildlife photography, you will love what this park has to offer! Want to learn more about Great Basin National Park? Check out these maps, guides & books:Great Basin National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)Exploring Great Basin National Park: Including Mount Moriah WildernessBasin and Range: A History of Great Basin National Park, Nevada (Classic Reprint)Great Basin National Park: A Guide to the Park and Surrounding AreaThe Great Basin for KidsPlease note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.Featured National Park Photographers:C. Reed: Baker LakeVezzani Photography:

Of Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, and three protected areas in Mexico—Maderas del Carmen, Ocampo, and Cañón de Santa Elena—making it the world’s first binational International Dark Sky Reserve. “It’s a wild, mostly off-the-grid place that provides abundant daytime views and opportunities to recreate in, along incredibly dark, but readily accessible, night skies,” Barentine said of why he particularly enjoys this underrated national park area. There are so many pristine locations to see a wealth of stars, planets, meteors, man-made satellites, and the Milky Way, even with the naked eye here, but if you’d like a deeper look into the universe, it’s possible to visit the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas. How to visit The National Park Service staff offer interpretive night sky programming throughout the year, including star parties and moonlight walks. Great Basin National ParkWhere: Nevada Designation: International Dark Sky Park Since Great Basin National Park is nestled between two vast mountain ranges (the Sierra Nevada in California and the Wasatch Mountains of Utah), it’s largely protected from the glow of distant cities. In fact, because it’s one of the darkest places in the country, it has earned the designation of Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, the highest level awarded by the IDSA. It is an award the park leans into, with a research-grade observatory, an Astronomy Amphitheater, an annual Astronomy Festival each September, and regular ranger led auroral activities. Of course, you’re welcome to seek out the celestial beauty on your own—the park just recommends finding a spot with an open horizon, like the Mather Overlook or the Baker Archaeological Site. How to visit Park rangers offer regular astronomy programs. There’s also the Great Basin Star Train, where at each nighttime stop along the Nevada Northern Railway staff set up telescopes for stargazers. Canyonlands National Park Where: Utah Designation: International Dark Sky Park Whittled into existence over many millennia by the fast moving Colorado River, the spindly sandstone spires, vast canyons, and table-like mountains of Canyonlands National Park make for a dynamic backdrop for viewing the night

The famous Heaphy Track, which stretches from the West Coast up into the sunny Nelson-Tasman region. It is also the home to the incredible Oparara Arches – a collection of incredible limestone rock arches and caves. Paparoa National ParkPoroari River | Paparoa National ParkThe Paparoa National Park is located near the coastal town of Punakaiki, and is known for its limestone formations, such as the Puakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, which are layers of rock that look like stacks of pancakes and spout water when the tide is high! Paparoa means “long place” in Maori, and the park is named after the magnificent Paparoa Range, which runs parallel to the coast.This National Park is home to the Paparoa Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, which provides a milti-day hiking experience through the incredible national park! Mount Aspiring National ParkMount Aspiring National Park is a national park that straddles the southern end of the Southern Alps, and is named after Mount Aspiring / Tititea, the highest peak in the park at 3,033 metres! The park spans 3,562 square kilometres over the Otago and West Coast regions, and is filled with snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers, and valleys. The Mount Aspiring National Park is a popular destination for mountaineering, tramping, and skiing, with tracks such as the Routeburn Track and the Rees-Dart circuit. Natural Attractions in the West Coast RegionPancake Rocks and BlowholesThe Puakaiki Pancake Rocks are one of the most iconic natural attractions in the West Coast, and are located in the Paparoa National Park. The Pancake Rocks are layers of limestone that have been eroded by the wind and water over millions of years, creating a unique and spectacular sight! Oparara BasinThe Oparara Basin is a hidden gem in the West Coast, and is located in the wild Kahurangi National Park. The Oparara Basin is a valley that contains a network of limestone caves, arches, and streams, and is surrounded by lush rainforest – known as the Oparara Arches! This stunning area can be explored by guided tours or self-guided walks, which lead to the Oparara Arch, the Moria Gate Arch, and the Mirror Tarn.Hokitika GorgeThe Hokitika Gorge is a stunning natural attraction in the West Coast, and is located about 33 kilometres from the town of Hokitika. The Hokitika Gorge is a gorge that has been carved by the Hokitika River, which flows from the Southern Alps to the Tasman Sea. It is a truly stunning attraction, known for its vivid turquoise water, which contrasts with the white rocks and surrounding green forest.Fox and Franz Josef GlaciersThe Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are two of the most accessible and spectacular glaciers in the world, and are located right

California’s history and draws attention to the Pacific Coast’s natural beauty!One of the best things to do at the Cabrillo National Monument is to explore the tide pools. Starfish, anemones, and crabs all live in these shallow puddles. Hike to the Cabrillo Monument and lighthouse and check out the visitor center. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see whales swimming in the distance.Mission Beach and Belmont ParkSan Diego has many vibrant neighborhoods, but Mission Beach is one of the best. It’s where you’ll find the surf culture that San Diego is known for as well as a classic boardwalk and sandy shores.Locals and visitors alike love the variety of outdoor activities in Mission Beach. On any given day, you can see rollerblading, biking, and beach volleyball.Without a doubt, Belmont Park is a top attraction in Mission Beach. This amusement park opened in 1925 and its iconic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster is still serving thrills 100 years later! It’s also a great base for exploring the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld.Southern California National ParksCalifornia currently boasts nine national parks. This is more than any other state – even Alaska! Each has its own distinct landscape. Whereas Northern California has more lush forests and mountains, the deserts of the south offer a unique experience.Joshua Tree National ParkNamed after the twisted Joshua trees (fun fact: not actual trees!), this national park is known for its scenic desert landscape. It was established as a national monument in 1936 and designated a national park in 1994. This park straddles both the Mojave and Colorado deserts, spanning over 800,000 acres of giant boulders and desert fauna. Throw in dazzling starry skies and Joshua Tree National Park is a truly special place!Visitors can explore Hidden Valley, Arch Rock, and Barker Dam. The Cholla Cactus Garden, in particular, is a great part of the park to explore with kids. In fact, people of all ages will love climbing the boulders and stargazing. It’s the perfect place for an RV trip to stay as close to the park as possible overnight.Death Valley National ParkDeath Valley National Park – if you couldn’t tell from the name – is a place of extremes. It’s simultaneously the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park in the U.S..Badwater Basin is actually the lowest point in North America, measuring 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. Like Joshua Tree, Death Valley was also established in 1994 but at 3.4 million acres, it’s a lot bigger!Despite its somewhat unwelcoming title, Death Valley National Park deserves a spot on any California bucket list. Families will love exploring Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and driving along the dirt roads. Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, and Artist’s Palette are

Far you are hiking, and temperature, so be flexible. Remember, if you're feeling thirsty, you're already dehydrated! See our guide for Tips for Staying Hydrated (this story is focused on runners but applies to backpackers, too). The desert is unforgiving! You will need to carry out all your water bottles and dispose of them in a trash can. If you did not use all your water, dump it and pack out the empty bottles to dispose of at a dumpster at a trailhead or campground. Here are the places where you can cache water on the California Riding and Hiking Trail Eastbound Mileage Notes Black Rock Canyon Campground 0 Faucets at the campground Upper Covington Flat Road 7.5 Trailhead along 6 miles of slow-going dirt road that requires 4WD after a rain Keys View Road (Juniper Flats Backcountry Registration Board) 11 Turn off Park Blvd for 1.1 miles along paved Keys View Road Geology Tour Road 6.5 Turn off Park Blvd for 1.5 miles along gravel Geology Tour road Pinto Basin Road 4.3 Turn off Park Blvd for 2.3 miles along paved Pinto Basin Road North Entrance 7.1 No water : Westbound Mileage Notes North Entrance 0 No water Pinto Basin Road 7.1 Turn off Park Blvd for 2.3 miles along paved Pinto Basin Road Geology Tour Road 4.3 Turn off Park Blvd for 1.5 miles along gravel Geology Tour road Keys View Road (Juniper Flats Backcountry Registration Board) 6.5 Turn off Park Blvd for 1.1 miles along paved Keys View Road Upper Covington Flat 11 Trailhead along 6 miles of slow-going dirt road that requires 4WD after a rain Black Rock Campground 7.5 Water tap at campground Upper Covington Flat 7.5 Keys View Road 11 Easy road to cache Geology Tour Road 6.5 Cache? Twin Tanks 4.3 North Entrance 7.1 : Food Storage and wildlifeJoshua Tree National Park requires that you securely store smellables, food, and garbage away from critters. There are no bears in Joshua Tree, and thus no bear canister requirements. However, rodents, ravens, and coyotes may still be interested in your food and water caches. See