Wheeler Peak Campground

John Rummel

This was my second stay at Wheeler Peak and on this trip I was finally rewarded with skies clear enough for some night photography. GBNP is located in one of the darkest locations of the US, just west of the Utah/Nevada border. Known as "class 1" skies, it doesn't get any better than this. Though it was cloudy at sunset, I napped a bit and got up at 11:30 to find mostly clear skies. I shot for a bit with no tracker - just 25 second exposures and camera settings to record as much detail as possible. Amazing skies, amazing place. Wheeler Peak is so peaceful and quiet - it's a wonderful place to recharge the mental batteries.

Scott Mann

Wheeler Peak Campground in Great Basin National Park, Nevada, is, in a word, spectacular!  HOWEVER, you need to know some critical bullet points before you ascend the mountain! First...there are several other campgrounds in the area, but none offer quite the stunning beauty, nor the extreme 10,000 ft. elevation, as WPC.  That said, your F150 pulling a 10,000 lb. trailer will be pissed going up the 8% ten-mile very narrow incline...Then your brakes will be on fire going down 10 minutes later after you discover the camp spots are tiny. My 30ft. truck and small trailer only barely fit in 3 or 4 campsites.  The rest, no way. Fear of heights...or of brake failure...or oncoming traffic...or electrical storms...or narrow roads...or shortness of breath? Avoid! If you need a Walmart within 30 minutes of your tent...good luck. If you aren't prepared for the elements such as very cold nights even in July, heavy rain, possible late Spring or early Fall snow, or strong winds, this is not for you.  DO NOT trust the Weatherman. Mountains make their own weather. But...if a fairly secluded mountain-top oasis poking out of a hot vast desert, teaming with streams, wildlife, pine-aspen-bristlecone trees, lots of shade, and green meadows peaks your interest, this unlikely slice of heaven won't disappoint! Clean running tap water and vault toilets are available throughout the camp which is a luxury up here.  BTW it's not a secret anymore, so don't expect any spots available weekends in June, July and August. Come early Thursday morning and watch the masses get turned around when this first-come campground is full. Or come early Saturday morning after a heavy monsoon storm the night before chased the city-folk back to motels in Ely! One more thing, don't bring your 90 year old folks up to this extreme altitude unless they are still running marathons...or you’re looking for a little family drama.  Don't say I didn't warn ya!

Doctor Bones & Kobe

Fantastic campground but it gets REALLY cold so make sure you are prepared! My air mattress did not survive the below freezing temps.

Paul

Wonderful car-camping venue. Be aware, in mid-June when we went every campground filled up for the weekend with a number of unfortunate campers having to seek a site elsewhere. Vault toilets were cleaned regularly and stocked with toilet paper. Very convenient location for the hiking trails nearby.