When picturing the state of Nevada, scenes of the Las Vegas Strip may come to mind. After all, no one travels to Nevada without visiting Sin City. However, many fail to recognize the peaceful world that lays beyond the dazzling cities’ lights. Approximately 9 hours from Las Vegas is one of the most underrated National Parks in the nation.

Image by National Geographic

Great Basin National Park was established in 1986. The park revolves around the famous Lehman caves that have been a popular tourist destination for decades. The land that makes up the park has been inhabited by a vast variety of people. Native Americans settled in the region 10,000 years ago. The Pueblo culture then migrated into the area 1,000 years ago. In 1856, Mormons established settlements in the basin that are still existing today. Great Basin has influenced these cultures and left a lasting impact on their histories.

Great Basin National Park is the perfect destination for avid campers. The park offers five developed campgrounds: Upper Lehman Creek, Lower Lehman Creek, Baker Creek, Grey Cliffs, and Wheeler Peak. Lower Lehman Creek Campground is open through all seasons. The other four campgrounds stay open from May to October. The camping operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It costs $15 a night to stay at these campgrounds.

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This national park offers numerous amazing activities and attractions. Great Basin is named the International Dark Sky Park. There are pristine conditions to view stars within the park that do not exist anywhere else in the United States. The park service offers an astronomy program that occurs on Saturdays from April to October. Additional nights are added during the summer season. The timings of the events will also change throughout the season.

Lehman Caves are the park’s most popular attraction. The caves may only be visited with a tour guided by park rangers. These tours are available daily all throughout the year. There are two different types of tours: The Lodge Room and the Grand Palace. The Lodge Room tour is 60 minutes long and explores the Gothic Palace and Music Room sections of Lehman Caves. The Grand Palace is 90 minutes long and visits the Inscription Room and Grand Palace along with the sections offered with the shorter tour.

Image by Pal and Hatty

Great Basin is not a barren national park. Its’ beautiful mountains, rugged landscape, and unique cave systems offer amazing experiences to visitors. The quiet landscape holds numerous secrets that will intrigue anyone with the slightest curiosity. Explore them.