+------------------------+------------------+---+----------------------+
| National Park Service  | Great Basin      |   | 100 Great Basin      |
|                        | National Park    |   | National Park        |
| U.S. Department of the |                  |   |                      |
| Interior               | Use the complete |   | Baker, Nevada 89311  |
|                        | site name here   |   |                      |
|                        | (e.g. Palo Alto  |   | 775-234-7331 phone   |
|                        | Battlefield      |   |                      |
|                        | Historic Site).  |   | 775-234-7269 fax     |
+------------------------+------------------+---+----------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Great Basin National Park** News Release

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Release Date: Immediate

Contact: Betsy Duncan-Clark, Supervisory Park Ranger

Phone Number: (775) 234-7331

Date: May 22, 2007

**Great Basin National Park Announces Opening of Wheeler Peak Scenic
Drive**

**and other Facilities for the 2007 Summer Season**

The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive in Great Basin National Park near Baker,
Nevada, is now open to traffic for the season. The 12-mile Wheeler Peak
Scenic Drive has 8 ½ % grades and hairpin turns. This road is not
recommended for vehicles longer than 24 feet. In addition, the Wheeler
Peak Campground at the end of the Scenic Drive is open for camping.
Water will be available once temperatures rise to allow the water system
to operate without freezing. Camping fees at Wheeler Peak Campground are
\$6 per night without water and will rise to \$12 per night once the
water system is activated. Baker Creek, Lower Lehman Creek and Upper
Lehman Creek Campgrounds are all open for the season and water is
available at those locations. Camping fees for these campgrounds are
\$12 per night. Camping is half of the posted price at all park
campgrounds for U.S. citizens who hold a valid Golden Age, Golden
Access, the National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Senior or the
National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Access Pass. The RV dump
station located near the Lehman Caves Visitor Center is open for the
season. There is a \$5 fee for use of this facility.

Hiking trails in the lower elevations of the park are mostly snow-free
and dry. Trails in the higher elevations may still have significant snow
cover. In particular, the Bristlecone Trail located at the end of the
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is still approximately 90% snow covered with
snow a few feet deep in locations. Snow shoes may be necessary to
traverse parts of the trail. Trail and weather conditions can change
quickly, so it is advisable for visitors to check at one of the park
visitor centers for current information before beginning a hike,
back-country or camping trip. Information for planning a visit to the
park can be obtained by calling 775-234-7331 or by visiting the park
website at www.nps.gov/grba.

Starting Friday May 25, 2007 through Monday September 3, 2007 the Lehman
Caves Tour Schedule will include 60 minute tours daily at 8:30 a.m.,
10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and 90 minute tours
daily at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.. All times are
Pacific Daylight Time. Holidays and weekends, Lehman Cave tours
frequently sell out. To ensure a space on a tour visitors may purchase
non-refundable advance tickets by telephoning (775) 234-7331 extension
242, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday.
Advanced cave tour tickets may be purchased with a major credit card
from one to 30 days in advance of the desired tour on a space available
basis. Tickets must be claimed in person at the Lehman Caves Visitor
Center information desk no later than 20 minutes before scheduled tour
time. Spaces for unclaimed tickets will go on sale to arriving
customers. Golden Age and Golden Access Passports must be presented to
be eligible for the discount. Unclaimed tickets cannot be refunded. Cave
tours are limited to 25 participants. An adult must accompany children
15 years of age and younger. Fees for tours of Lehman Caves are as
follows:

60-minute Tour Adult 16 years of age and older \$8.00

Youth 5-15 years of age \$4.00

Golden Age and Golden Access Passports \$4.00

> Infants and Toddlers (less than 5 years old) Free

90-minute Tour: Adult 16 years of age and older \$10.00

Youth 5 through 15 years of age \$5.00

> Golden Age and Golden Access Passports \$5.00
>
> Children under 5 years of age not permitted

Interpretive staff will offer nightly evening programs at Upper Lehman
Campground starting Friday May 25^th^ and at Wheeler Peak Campground
Friday and Saturday starting Friday June 29^th^. Programs are 45-60
minutes long and address subjects related to the Great Basin's cultural
and natural resources.

Throughout the summer look for Night Sky and Star gazing programs at the
Great Basin Visitor Center. Saturday May 26^th^, join a park ranger at
7:30 p.m. for the summer season's first program.

May 25^th^ through September 3^rd^ the Lehman Caves Visitor Center at
Lehman Caves and the Great Basin Visitor Center in Baker, Nevada operate
daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

The Park's concession, Lehman Caves Gift & Café, will start their daily
summer hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday May 26^th^. The kitchen
closes at 4:00 p.m. The café serves breakfast and lunch. The gift shop
carries a broad range of items with a nature or outdoor theme. The café
and gift shop adjoin the Lehman Caves Visitor Center.

For further information, visit our website at *www.nps.gov/grba* or to
receive an information packet phone (775) 234-7331 extension 0.

Come explore and enjoy Nevada\'s first and only National Park!

-NPS-

Great Basin National Park Superintendent Cindy Nielsen announced the new
fee schedule effective Sunday, January 2, 2005.

Great Basin National Park Superintendent Cindy Nielsen announced the new
fee schedule effective Sunday, January 2, 2005.