Great Basin National Park offers several primitive tent camping sites that provide alternatives to established campgrounds near Ely, Nevada. Located about 70 miles east of Ely, the park sits at elevations ranging from 6,200 feet to over 13,000 feet at Wheeler Peak. Tent camping options along Snake Creek Road provide creek-side locations with vault toilets but lack running water, requiring campers to bring their own supply.
What to do
Stargazing after dark: Great Basin National Park offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. At Grey Cliffs Campground, visitors can experience the celestial display firsthand. "The views were nice and the night sky is amazing at Great Basin. Very little to no light pollution," reports one camper who stayed in August.
Hiking Wheeler Peak: The trails at the top of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive provide access to alpine terrain and spectacular views. A camper at Snake Creek notes that "Hiking trailheads are located at the end of the road," making these sites convenient bases for day hikes into the backcountry.
Visit Lehman Caves: Located near the visitor center, these limestone caverns offer guided tours. "If you stay near Great Basin National Park make sure to check out the Lehman Caves. Also, the people at the Lehman caves gift shop & cafe are super nice & awesome people," shares a visitor who stayed at Grey Cliffs.
What campers like
Peaceful solitude: The remote camping areas along Snake Creek Road provide quiet experiences away from crowds. At Eagle Peak Campsites, "The three sites are off the road and in full shade of large trees and sits along Snake Creek which is flowing at this location," making it "by far the nicest campsite location along Great Basin National Park's Snake Creek Road."
No generator noise: Tent-only campgrounds mean peace and quiet without RV generators. One camper appreciated Grey Cliffs because "As someone who tries to disperse camp as much as possible, when I do need to stay in an established campground, Grey Cliffs is the kind of place I try to find. Tent camping only... It was very relaxing, and no noise from generators."
Natural surroundings: Sites situated along flowing water provide pleasant background sounds and scenery. A visitor to Monkey Rock Group Campsites mentioned, "The creek running near by was small but made perfect background noise," enhancing their camping experience.
What you should know
Road conditions: Snake Creek Road has specific vehicle restrictions. At Squirrel Springs Campsites, "Just after you enter the park on Snake Creek Road a sign clearly indicated no RV's or trailers past the roads first pull out. Road is a narrow single lane road for almost all of its length."
Water availability: No potable water is available at most sites. A camper at Snake Creek warns, "No water but clean vault toilets in these group sites suitable for individual campers." Plan to bring all water needed or filter from creeks when flowing.
Weather preparedness: Higher elevation sites experience dramatic temperature changes and unexpected weather. One visitor to Squirrel Springs noted, "Beware this is also at a higher elevation than the Lehman Caves area. We woke up to a couple inches of snow" despite camping in late May.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose sites with adequate space for family tents and activities. At Grey Cliffs, a camper observed, "We found that the sites were pretty private and not on top of each other at all. The cliffs here are very pretty and are a nice backdrop." However, they cautioned, "The ground is so rocky it became very difficult to drive a spike into the ground far enough to work and not bend them. Do not bring a large tent, the pads are small."
Free camping options: Pinnacle Group Campsite offers no-cost camping options with basic amenities. "Camping area has two picnic tables around a metal fire ring. Trash bins are located at the vault toilet," notes a visitor who appreciated that "No fee to use this site."
Limited services: There are few facilities beyond the campgrounds. A camper warns about Snake Creek: "No cell, no internet, no nothing, no gas for miles." Bring everything your family needs for the duration of your stay.
Tips from RVers
Parking limitations: Most tent sites along Snake Creek Road cannot accommodate RVs or trailers. At Snake Creek Campground - Primitive, "The roads throughout the campground and surroundings are dirt and potholes would pose an issue if you had a low clearance vehicle."
RV alternatives: For those with RVs, consider established campgrounds with appropriate facilities rather than the primitive sites along Snake Creek Road. A visitor who stayed in a "4wd van" at Snake Creek Campground recommends: "Solid spot! Just make sure you get there early if it's a busy weekend. Stayed Thursday before Memorial Day weekend. Arrived around 3-4pm, very limited spots left."
