The upper elevations of Great Basin National Park are Near Peak (around 51%) and looking beautiful according to Liz Woolsey, owner of Stargazer Inn and Bristlecone General Store in nearby Baker, Nevada. She hiked the Alpine Lakes Loop at the top of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive on Friday, September 13. Quite a few trees were still green then, but even so, a lot of color was showing up. She predicts the trees will reach peak in the next week or so, by late September.
There is a catch: Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is closed on some days due to road construction, and the parking area at the top of the road (Bristlecone Trailhead parking) is closed every day.
The good news? Even when the road is closed, there are other ways to reach the foliage at the higher elevations. In this blog post, we’ll showcase Woolsey’s photos of the upper reaches of the park, and we’ll give you some ways to appreciate fall colors at Great Basin National Park even when you can’t reach the top of the road by car.
Summit Trailhead Parking
On some days, due to road construction, the entire Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is closed from Upper Lehman Creek Campground to the top. That’s happening from September 22 – 24, 2024. On September 25 the road reopens all the way up to Mather Overlook, which has a spectacular view of the fall colors from late September to early October.
Then, beginning on September 27, you can drive up to The Summit Trailhead. Normally, you’d be able to drive all the way to the top of the road to the Bristlecone Trailhead parking, but they’ve had that parking area closed all summer due to construction.
If you’re planning on hiking the Alpine Lakes Trail under a canopy of autumn foliage, The Summit Trailhead is the alternative. But get there early in the day. There are only 22 parking spaces available. Or try an early evening or late afternoon hike when parking spaces clear out
More road closures could happen throughout the fall, either due to construction or early season snow storms. Which brings us to the other ways to view fall color in the park…
Lehman Creek Trail to Wheeler Peak Campground and Beyond
Hikers who are in good shape can trek up the Lehman Creek Trail to Wheeler Peak Campground. This hike is a huffer and puffer. It gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in 3.2 miles one way. But the effort is worth it. When you reach the end, you’ll stroll through the campground, which boasts lots of aspen action.
Fall foliators who still have energy: progress from the Wheeler Peak Campground to the Alpine Lakes Loop trail, and head directly to Stella Lake, which is a mile hike from the Bristlecone Trailhead. You’ll find fall foliage on a stretch of the hike before the lake.
When you’re ready to turn around, you can either go the way you came or take the section of trail that heads back to Summit Trailhead under a canopy of golden aspens and great views of foliage with Wheeler Peak as a backdrop. Reach the end of the trail at the Summit parking area, and walk back up Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive to Wheeler Peak Campground and then retrace your steps down Lehman Creek Trail.
The Lehman Creek Trail starts in Upper Lehman Creek Campground.
Mid-October: Spectacular Colors on Baker Creek Road
Another option for leaf peepers? Wait until the first or second week in October and admire the fall colors on Baker Creek Road. The road construction on Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive doesn’t affect this area, so you’re free and clear to explore. You’ll find good color along the road, in Baker Creek Campground, and along the trails that depart from the end of the road.
The Roads Less Traveled
Welcome to the least explored areas of the park, such as Snake Creek Road, which leads past splotches of fall color. Park your vehicle and hike the 5.1-mile Dead Lake Loop, which features gorgeous fall color on the way.
Strawberry Creek Road isn’t for everybody. The 2016 Strawberry Fire left behind a lot of burned trees in the area. But a lot of young aspens along the stream and other understory paint the landscape orange and red. The rabbitbrush here are some of the biggest I’ve ever seen and overflowing with yellow blossoms in early October, adding to the fall color mix.
Groves of larger aspens that survived the fire grow along the trail at the end of the road, where you might even see some elk if you’re lucky.
SUVs, high clearance vehicles, or sedans that aren’t too low to the ground are better suited to Snake Creek and Strawberry Creek Roads. The roads are gravel and dirt so be careful if it has rained or snowed as the roads can get muddy. These roads also close after snowstorms, so don’t expect to access them in the winter or spring. Before you go, it’s always a good idea to stop by the visitor center to check on the status of the roads.
If You’re Going. . .
Stargazer Inn is a good choice if you need a place to stay near the park. They’re conveniently located a short drive from the park entrance and near the dining options in Baker. The courtyard by the main motel rooms is super cute and a good place to relax with coffee. Stargazer also has spaces for RVs, located by the gas station.
No matter where you’re staying, stop into the Bristlecone General Store. Owner Liz Woolsey always dreamed of having a store in the middle of nowhere. With the Bristlecone General Store, she got her wish. When we visited, we were impressed with the variety of food, drink, and gift items offered in a relatively small space. Woolsey also stocks the store with items for people with food sensitivities.
Great Basin National Park Fall Foliage Update
Above 9,000 Feet – Near Peak (51%) as of September 13. Full peak expected in a week or less, by late September, so Go Now!
8,000 – 8,900 Feet – Still Patchy, but expected to move along in the next week to ten days.
Looking for places with brilliant fall color? Buy our Nevada Fall Color Map so you’ll know the best places to find autumn foliage in Nevada. The map makes it easy to have a relaxing trip amid the fall colors.