Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive offer incredible views and access to trails

NPS

Quick Facts

Amenities

5 listed

Parking - Auto, Restroom - Accessible, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles

Road Overview

Distance: About 12 miles / 19 kilometers one way
Grade & Surface: Steep (about 8% grade) & Paved
Speed Limit: 15-35mph
Restrictions: No vehicles over 24 feet in length allowed beyond the Upper Lehman Creek Campground, due to sharp curves and steep grades. Vehicles shorter than 24 feet towing a trailer also under 24 feet are permitted, though proceed with caution.

The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive closes in the fall of every year and reopens in spring/early summer due to ice and snow causing hazardous conditions. Check the park website for the most up to date open/closure information.

The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive provides access to multiple trails including the Osceola Ditch, Summit Trailhead, and Bristlecone Trailhead. Lehman Creek Trailhead is located within the Upper Lehman Creek Campground about 3 miles up the road. Osceola Ditch Trailhead about 5 miles, the Summit Trailhead about 11 miles, and the Bristlecone Trailhead at mile 12.

From the various trailheads, you'll find dozens of miles of beautiful hiking destinations, from ancient Great Basin Bristlecone Pines to spectacular alpine lakes. Head to Nevada's last glacier or summit one of it's highest peaks at the top of the Wheeler Peak Trail.

There are three campgrounds along this road; Lower Lehman Creek, Upper Lehman Creek, and Wheeler Peak. Lower Lehman is the only campground in the park open year round, while Upper Lehman and Wheeler Peak open seasonally after the early summer thaw. Make reservations for these campgrounds on recreation.gov.

Offering fantastic view of the valley bellow and the the mountains above this drive twists and turns up to 10,000 feet with aspens and pine trees along the way. Being the most popular road in the summer, the Scenic Drive and the parking lots along it may be crowded. Please be courteous to other visitors and obey all parking laws.

Parking is prohibited outside of paved, established parking spots in parking lots.

Need Directions?
The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is accessed via Highway 488, within the national park boundary. As you pass through the park entrance and see the "Great Basin National Park" sign, the Scenic Drive is just after on the right hand side. The road ends at the Bristlecone Trailhead and Wheeler Peak Campground when fully open.