Tent camping in and around Great Basin National Park offers access to high-elevation wilderness at 6,200 to 13,063 feet above sea level. The park spans 77,180 acres across Nevada's Basin and Range Province, featuring dramatically varied climate zones where temperatures can drop 30°F from day to night. Most sites sit on rocky terrain in pinyon-juniper woodlands with several free primitive camping options available beyond the established campgrounds.
What to do
Stargazing sessions: Great Basin is designated as an International Dark Sky Park with exceptional viewing opportunities. A camper at Grey Cliffs Campground noted, "The night sky is amazing at Great Basin. Very little to no light pollution."
Johnson Lake Trail hiking: Access this popular trail from the end of Snake Creek Road. A visitor to Eagle Peak Campsites shared, "Eagle Peak is the last camping area you can drive to along Snake Creek road. Hiking trails for this area of the park are just down the road."
Lehman Caves exploration: Schedule cave tours in advance as they often fill up. "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," recommended a camper from Grey Cliffs.
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive: This mountain road provides access to alpine trails and viewpoints. "You're in easy reach of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which I highly recommend. The trails at the top of that drive are spectacular," reported a Grey Cliffs visitor.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Many sites along Snake Creek offer natural water features. A visitor to Squirrel Springs Campsites described, "This was a pretty nice site with a picnic table and fire ring with grill grate. This was a pretty good site to crash for free, although the dirt road was tedious."
Well-spaced sites: Unlike crowded campgrounds, many Great Basin sites offer privacy. At Monkey Rock Group Campsites, a camper noted, "Campground sits between the road and Snake Creek. Campground consist of a single group campsite. Plenty of room in the area for multiple sites."
Vault toilet cleanliness: Despite primitive conditions, facilities are maintained well. "An ADA accessible vault toilet is located at the campground, and is also the location of the trash and recycling bin," reported a visitor at Eagle Peak Campsites.
Small campground atmosphere: Most tent camping areas have limited sites, creating a quieter experience. A Grey Cliffs camper shared, "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Snake Creek Road requires careful driving. A camper at Pinnacle Group Campsite warned, "Road is not for RVs or trailers. Just after you enter the park on Snake Creek Road a sign clearly indicated no RVs or trailers past the roads first pull out. Road is a narrow single lane road for almost all of its length."
Limited water sources: Most primitive sites require bringing your own water. "This is a dry campground, the creek is also dry here so come prepared," noted a Pinnacle Group visitor.
Hard ground for tent stakes: The rocky soil creates setup challenges. A Grey Cliffs visitor advised, "We have a tent that needs to be staked-this was a problem there. The ground is so rocky it became very difficult to drive a spike into the ground far enough to work and not bend them."
Weather preparation: High elevation means variable conditions year-round. A Squirrel Springs camper reported, "Beware this is also at a higher elevation than the Lehman Caves area. We woke up to a couple inches of snow."
Tips for camping with families
Group site selection: Some sites accommodate larger family groups better than others. At Monkey Rock Group Campsites, a visitor observed, "There are two picnic tables around a metal fire ring. Trash bins are located at the vault toilet."
Accessible facilities: Some sites offer ADA-compliant options. A Grey Cliffs camper noted, "There are 2 ADA Accessible campsites site C3 and A8 both sites are located next to accessible restrooms."
Communication planning: Cell service is minimal throughout the area. A visitor to Millard Desert Camp emphasized, "No one gets service out here, oh and lots of water!"
Dog-friendly considerations: Pet policies vary across the park. "Dogs are allowed at the campsite but not on a majority of the trails at Great Basin," reported a Grey Cliffs camper.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most primitive camping areas prohibit larger vehicles. At Squirrel Springs, a camper warned, "Be warned, the information on the parks website is a bit misleading. Road is not for RV's or trailers."
Alternative RV spots: For those with RVs, look for designated areas. "The sites were well spaced out, and all under the shadow of the Grey Cliffs. It was very relaxing, and no noise from generators," noted a visitor at Grey Cliffs, which allows small RVs without hookups.
Level parking considerations: Finding flat spots for even smaller RVs can be challenging. A Snake Creek visitor shared, "About 6 miles of decent dirt/gravel road for access. Parking was flat enough."
The best tent camping near Great Basin National Park combines solitude with access to the park's unique features, though preparation for primitive conditions is essential for an enjoyable experience.
