Itinerary (About half a day at the Park)

Phoenix to Seattle Road Trip – May 2024 (7 National Park and Lake Tahoe & Portland sights)

Day -4 – Great Basin NP
Cedar city to Great Basin NP (about 140 miles)

Lehman Caves Visitor Center

Scenic drive (open only up to Ditch Trail)

Osceola Ditch Trail (until the Ditch) 0.4 mile

Baker Creek (until the Creek)

Mountain view Nature Trail 0.3 mile

Lehman Cave Lodge Room Tour (ticketed) 0.5 mile

Drive to Eureka for night stay at Best Western (about 140 miles)

The Great Basin is a vast region where water does not flow to any ocean but instead either evaporates, seeps into the ground, or gathers in isolated lakes. This unique basin covers much of Nevada and extends into neighboring states.

Our visit began at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, where we picked up a Passport Cancellation Stamp and checked in for our scheduled cave tour.

From the visitor center, we set off on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, managing to drive about five miles before reaching the Osceola Ditch Trailhead. Beyond this point, the road was closed due to snow.

We hiked about half a mile along the trail and spotted remnants of the historic 18-mile-long irrigation ditch, originally built to supply water for gold mining operations.

Returning to the visitor center, we took a stroll along the Mountain View Nature Trail, passing by the Baker Creek stream and the historic Rhodes Cabin.

One of the highlights of our visit was the Lehman Cave Lodge Room Tour, which we had booked in advance. This one-hour guided tour, led by a Park Ranger, is a must-do for visitors. Covering about 0.4 miles, the tour is both short and easy, making it accessible to most.

We explored the Lodge Room, one of the largest chambers in the cave, which was once used for social gatherings. Along the way, we could look at the stunning cave formations, making it an unforgettable experience.

After completing the tour, we exited the park and headed to Eureka for an overnight stay, traveling along US Route 50, famously known as the Loneliest Road in America.