My first exposure to Great Basin National Park was a result of joining Dark-Sky International in 2018 and learning that Great Basin is a Dark Sky Park. I went there for the first time in late June 2019. My first night there I drove up the park road to the Ranching Exhibition, halfway between Baker, NV and the Welcome Center of the park. I parked there and waited for the sky to get completely dark. Facing west, looking toward where the sun had set behind Wheeler Peak, I turned to look east and there spread out across the sky was the Milky Way in all its glory. It took my breath away, in part because I hadn’t seen a night sky like that since I was a child living on the East Coast in the 1950s. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos from that trip, but here’s one from a more recent visit in September 2023, facing south with the Milky Way visible. I will be returning in September of 2025 and hope to once again see the night sky as it should be seen… without interference from all the light pollution that we are subject to more and more every year, despite the best efforts of the DIA. For more information… https://darksky.org/
Sincerely,
Great Basin National Park
The diversity of natural beauty at this park makes it a must-see destination for outdoor lovers — the hardest part is knowing where to start. Climb or take a scenic drive up Wheeler Peak, the park’s iconic 13,000-foot mountain, for spectacular views; wander through groves of 3,000-year-old bristlecone pines; take a ranger-led tour through the marble and limestone halls of Lehman Caves; and hike or backpack among pristine alpine lakes. At night, visitors can enjoy exceptionally dark skies and excellent astronomy programs.
State(s): Nevada
Established: 1986
“They are natural wonders that contribute to the well being of the planet by their very existence. They are home to thousands of wildlife… plants and animals that are critical to the natural order. Their beauty is irreplaceable and we should be protecting them regardless of the cost. They are OUR link to the planet that is our only home.”
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Greetings from Great Basin National Park
As a Nevadan, I have always held a special place for our state's one and only national park. Coming from Las Vegas, Great Basin National Park is like arriving to another planet. Unlike home, it's rugged mountains, green pastures and tall pines are a delight, especially in summer. So when…
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