Great Basin National Park guide · 2 min read
Paved Roads, Dirt Tracks, and Reaching Snake Creek
Only two of the main roads in Great Basin National Park have pavement. One runs to the visitor center, and the other climbs toward Wheeler Peak.
The remaining major routes are dirt tracks, and a four-wheel drive vehicle is often the better choice on them. From the visitor center and its nearby roads, you can get to most of what the park offers.
Baker, Nevada, is a tiny town about five miles from the park. From United States Highway 6 and 50, head south on Nevada State Highway 487 to reach Baker, then turn west onto Highway 488 and go five miles to the park. No public transportation serves the park, so plan on bringing your own vehicle.
Snake Creek Road is a dirt road south of the main entrance, and its trails draw fewer visitors than most in the park. The Snake Creek Overlook Trail is an easy 1.1-mile hike with a short climb and wide views over the valley below. Pets are not permitted on it, and it works well early or late in the day. Hikers with more time can climb the Snake Divide Trail toward the Magic Grove.
The Great Basin Visitor Center stands just north of Baker, on the west side of Nevada State Highway 487. Park rangers staff its information desk, and inside are displays on the park's natural and human history, a theater for the park film, and brochures. Auto touring is another option, with many park roads leading to wide views and trailheads.
Lexington Arch Trail is the only trail in the park where dogs are permitted. The 5.6-mile route crosses shrubland to a limestone arch ranked among the largest in the world, and it sees fewer hikers than many others. Keep in mind that a pet will limit your options elsewhere in the park, and the nearest kennel services are in Ely, Nevada, about 60 miles away.
