This 77,082 acre national park, established in 1986, spans high desert and sagebrush foothills to subalpine forests. There are streams, lakes, alpine plants, abundant wildlife, and a variety of forest types including groves of ancient bristlecone pines. Scheduled tours of Lehman Caves depart the Lehman Caves Visitor Center daily. Tickets are required for cave tours, and may be purchased two ways: Take your chances and hope there are slots available if you buy them in person at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center on arrival or make reservations in advance via Recreation.gov. Same day online reservations are not accepted.
Please plan ahead as tours sell out regularly in the summer and around holidays. Cancellations and reservation changes are handled through recreation.gov. For more information about Great Basin National Park, click here.
The Ward Mountain Recreation Area is six miles south of Ely on U.S. Hwy 6. Jointly administered by the BLM and Forest Service, Ward Mountain features a newly renovated/modernized Forest Service campground. Camping is $8/night. Day-use group sites are available by reservation only. Reservations for overnight campsites and Day Use Group Sites can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. There is a 14-day stay limit. Approximately 20 miles of non-motorized trails are accessible from the campground at the South Trailhead. Another 15-20 miles of trails are accessible at the BLM-managed North Trailhead across the highway. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing are popular activities.
White Pine Historic Mining District/Belmont Mill/Hamilton/ShermantonThe ghost towns of Hamilton, Treasure City, Eberhart and Shermantown constitute a 12-square-mile area, with Treasure City at the center. This mining district was the site of one of the shortest and most intensive mining booms in the West. Population estimates vary, but one estimate states there were 25,000 people in 1869 and by 1873 the area had about 500 people. One church was said to have gone from having eight services per Sunday to one service every three weeks. The reason for the decline was simple; the pockets of pure silver which had enticed the miners had become few and far between.
In the 1920’s the Belmont Mill was constructed and the mill, including a two-mile long tramway, is still standing today. Please stay out of unsafe buildings and leave everything where you find it, so that others can enjoy it. What was considered curios collecting in the past, is now a violation of federal law today. 4WD required.
Ruby red, semi-precious gemstones are yours for the taking, either by cracking open the volcanic rock (wear eye protection) or by searching the surface. Generally accessible by car, Garnet Hill is located off U.S. Hwy 50, about ten miles northwest of Ely. Picnic sites with grills and handicap accessible restrooms are available. RV’s and large trailers NOT recommended.
Ely Ghost Train and Museum
The Nevada Northern Railway, est. 1905, is a National Historic Landmark; “the best preserved railroad in the country . . . bar none.” (Smithsonian Curator Emeritus)
Operating steam and diesel train rides; Enginehouse tours, Haunted Ghost Trains, Polar Express and Special Event trains. “BE the engineer,” to operate a locomotive — even with the train; Railroad Reality Weeks; Winter Photo Shoots; Bunkhouse & Caboose Overnights; Cab Rides with the Engineer; Plein Air Arts Festival. Group Rates; Private Charters.
The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is featured regularly on The History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” and “American Restoration”, PBS and travel guide books all over the world.
Whether stretching out on the sandy beach, playing on the slides or diving board, or catching guppies in the shallows, this natural spring-fed public swimming pool on the north end of McGill brings to mind the swimming hole of yesteryear. Pack a lunch and picnic in the adjacent park. Open annually from Memorial day through Labor Day.
Ward Charcoal Ovens
The park features six beehive-shaped ovens built by Italian craftsmen in the late 19th century to make charcoal for smelting ore from nearby silver mines. The park offers facilities for picnicking, hiking and camping. Other features include forest woodland, lush riparian areas, access to dedicated off-highway vehicle trails and outstanding views of the Steptoe Valley and surrounding mountains. The park is five miles south of Ely via U.S. 50/6/93, then 11 miles southwest on Cave Valley Road, a maintained gravel road accessible by passenger vehicles year-round.
775-289-1693
Ward CemeteryFounded in 1872, Ward was, by 1875, the largest town in White Pine County with a population of 1,000. Vanishing ore deposits and a new boom in Cherry Creek led to Ward’s decline in 1878. Within two years, the population had shrunk to 250. Revitalized in 1906, the town’s features finally waned in 1920. The Ward Cemetery is worth a stop. Please take only photographs and leave only footprints. Accessible by car.
Fisherman can use a passenger car to get to Comins Lake. This is part of the Steptoe Valley Wildlife Management area, but the public is invited to fish there.
Cave Lake State Park
Located just 15 miles southeast of Ely via U.S. 50/6/93 and Success Summit Road, the 4,500-acre park features a 32-acre reservoir and is known for its excellent trout fishing, crawdad gathering, boating, hiking, picnicking and camping. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing and ice skating are available in winter. Visitors can also view incredible snow sculptures at the White Pine Fire and Ice Show, a premier winter event. Facilities include two campgrounds, group picnicking and camping areas, a yurt, picnic areas, showers, hiking trails and a boat launch.
775-296-1505
Generally accessible from snowmelt to snowfall (late April to mid-November) this 38 mile loop is one of Nevada’s prettiest; offering motorists panoramic views of craggy mountains, rugged canyons and forested highlands. In the fall, Aspen stands turn golden. In warmer weather, wildflowers are in full bloom. Please use caution in spring when mud can lead to stuck vehicles and deep ruts that hamper travel later in the year. When dry, the dirt road is accessible by cars with high-clearance.
Located next to U.S. 6/50, the remodeled site includes new campsites, toilet buildings and concrete walkways, interpretive kiosks and displays, pond-accessible trails and fully-accessible fishing deck, a hiking and biking trail, and equestrian trailhead, as well as road improvements. An upper trailhead/campground is designed to accommodate equestrian trail users with easy access to a multitude of trails just outside Great Basin National park boundaries.
The Baker Archeological Site, about 1.5 miles north of Baker, contains the remains of a Fremont Indian village. The Fremont lived in this well-planned community, practicing a form of agriculture, from approximately 1220 to 1295 AD. The site is accessible by car. A self-guided tour, brochures and an information kiosk are located at the parking area. A restroom, picnic tables, and a sun shelter are available for day use. No water is available. Artifacts found on the ground may be observed, but not removed.
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