Glaciers
Park geography
A detailed look at terrain, elevation, and natural features within the park boundaries
Great Basin National Park Geographic Profile and Mapped Landscape Boundaries
Examine the physical geography of Great Basin National Park, covering its 312.3 square kilometer land area and mountain terrain across Nevada. The profile includes recorded peak elevations, such as the 3982 meter summit, and documents diverse natural features ranging from alpine meadows and karst systems to temperate coniferous forests.
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National ParksNevadaBristlecone PinesLehman CavesDark Sky Parks
Ancient bristlecone pines, limestone caves, and some of the darkest night skies in the contiguous United States
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is a United States national park located in White Pine County in east-central Nevada, near the Utah border. The park derives its name from the Great Basin, the dry and mountainous region between the Sierra Nevada and the Wasatch Mountains. Established in 1986, the park protects 77,180 acres of the Basin and Range Province, showcasing a remarkable diversity of ecosystems from sagebrush desert at lower elevations to subalpine forest and alpine tundra near Wheeler Peak. The park is most commonly accessed via Nevada State Route 488 through the small town of Baker, the closest settlement, approximately 290 miles north of Las Vegas.
- Location
- United States of America
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1986
- Area
- 312.3 km²
- Highest point
- 3,982 m
Location overview
Regional placement and country jurisdiction within the United States
Geographic Position of Great Basin National Park in Nevada
Great Basin National Park is located entirely within the state of Nevada in the United States of America. The interior reserve is classified as a non-transboundary, landlocked protected area.
- Countries
- United States of America
- Regions
- Nevada
- Primary location
- Nevada
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Tracing the 312.3 square kilometers of protected land area and spatial limits
Great Basin National Park Boundary Map and Geographic Footprint
Interactive boundary outlines trace Great Basin National Park to establish regional spatial context. Derived measurements detail the 312.3 square kilometers of land area, coordinate limits, and center points.
- Boundary area
- 311.6 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 103.2 km
- Northernmost point
- 39.0647° N
- Southernmost point
- 38.8184° N
- Easternmost point
- 114.1325° W
- Westernmost point
- 114.3561° W
- Geographic centre
- 38.9461° N, 114.258° W
- North–south span
- 27.3 km
- East–west span
- 19.4 km
Elevation and terrain
A 3,982-metre maximum with twenty features recorded within
Great Basin National Park mountain terrain and elevation
Great Basin National Park has mountain relief with maximum and highest-point elevations of 3,982 metres. Twenty within-park cards span peaks, lakes, ridges, streams, valleys, cliffs, a spring, viewpoint, and cave entrance.
- Maximum elevation
- 3,982 m
- Highest point
- 3,982 m
Selected named natural features
Peaks
Wheeler Peak
3,982 m
Streams
Timber Creek
Valleys
Lincoln Canyon
Peaks
Granite Peak
3,410 m
Peaks
Castle Butte
2,223 m
Environmental setting
Arid mountain relief, forest cover, and diverse habitat classifications
Great Basin National Park Environmental Classification Settings and Physical Geography
Stored landscape features, habitat types, and climatic zones frame the diverse physical setting of the park. Recorded categories connect directly to relevant atlas destinations and regional classifications.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Arid
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- Mostly forested
- Seasonality
- Seasonal
Landscape features
Mountains · Valleys · Plateau · Forest · Cave · Karst · Glacier · Canyon · Grassland · Desert · Cliffs
Habitat types
Temperate coniferous forest · Montane forest · Alpine meadow · Grassland · Shrubland · Desert habitat · Tundra habitat · Glacial habitat · Karst habitat
Park atlas
Trace surrounding protected landscapes and compare regional park geography in Nevada and Utah.
Discover Other National Parks and Protected Areas Near Great Basin National Park
Explore a curated list of national parks and protected areas in the Great Basin region and its adjacent landscapes, allowing for focused geographic discovery beyond Great Basin National Park. Compare diverse protected landscapes, trace regional conservation efforts, and map the spread of unique ecosystems across Nevada and Utah, enhancing your atlas-style park exploration.
Protected landscapeNevada
8.9 km away#1 closest
West
Humboldt, Toiyabe National Forest: Protected Landscape and Regional Mountain Geography
A vast network of Nevada mountain ranges and alpine wilderness
Humboldt, Toiyabe National Forest serves as a defining public land entity across Nevada and eastern California. As the largest national forest in the contiguous United States, it preserves a striking collection of isolated mountain ranges, including the Ruby Mountains and the rugged Jarbidge wilderness, within a broader basin-and-range landscape. Examine the boundaries and terrain that characterize this complex, high-desert ecosystem.
- Area
- 25,454 km²
- Established
- 1908
- Relief
- Mountain
- Access
- Easy access
Protected areaNevada
About 23 km away#2 closest
North
Mount Moriah Wilderness: A Geographic Profile of the Northern Snake Range Protected Area
High elevation limestone terrain in eastern Nevada
The Mount Moriah Wilderness represents a significant protected area in eastern Nevada, anchored by the iconic 12,050-foot Mount Moriah and the expansive flat-topped Table plateau. This rugged high-country landscape displays deep limestone exposures, shallow caves, and a rich array of riparian habitats. Spanning an entire elevational gradient of the Great Basin, the wilderness preserves ancient bristlecone pine groves alongside critical archaeological sites that document long-term human use of these mountains.
- Area
- 363.4 km²
- Established
- 1989
- Relief
- Mountain
- Water
- Minor water
Wildlife reserveNevada
About 32 km away#3 closest
Southwest
Fortification Range Wilderness: Mapping Volcanic Terrain in the Nevada Great Basin
A protected volcanic mountain chain in Lincoln County.
This wilderness preserves the entirety of the Fortification Range, a significant volcanic block rising above the surrounding desert basins. The protected land is characterized by its dramatic northern cliffs and expansive southern woodlands, offering an exceptional look at the varied natural terrain of the eastern Great Basin. Learn about its geographic boundaries, unique volcanic geology, and the diverse pinyon-juniper forest communities that define this remote high-country landscape.
- Area
- 124.06 km²
- Established
- 2004
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Wildlife reserveNevada
About 42 km away#4 closest
Southwest
Mount Grafton Wilderness: Protected Mountain Geography and Forested Landscapes in Nevada
High-elevation wilderness within the Schell Creek Range.
Mount Grafton Wilderness offers a deep dive into the high-desert mountain geography of eastern Nevada. This protected area features a striking 10,990-foot peak and a wide range of forest types, including rare bristlecone pine stands. The region provides a critical look at the complex topography and ecological structure of the Schell Creek Range for those researching protected land boundaries and Great Basin habitats.
- Area
- 318.71 km²
- Established
- 2006
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Wildlife reserveNevada
About 85 km away#5 closest
West
Red Mountain Wilderness: Mapping Protected Volcanic Terrain in Eastern Nevada
High-desert wilderness, ancient pines, and volcanic geography.
Red Mountain Wilderness encompasses a rugged block of protected high-country featuring dramatic, iron-rich volcanic slopes. This arid landscape stands out in the White Pine Range for its deep red coloration and the presence of long-lived bristlecone pine. Analyze the boundaries and geographic context of this significant Great Basin wilderness through our structured atlas and map resources.
- Area
- 82.9 km²
- Established
- 2006
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Wildlife reserveNye County
132 km away#6 closest
Southwest
Quinn Canyon Wilderness: Exploring Protected Mountain Geography in Central Nevada
High-desert ridges and alpine canyon ecosystems
Quinn Canyon Wilderness serves as a vital protected area for understanding Great Basin geography. Its landscape of deep, V-shaped canyons and high ridgelines supports unique biological gradients from pinyon-juniper forests to rare bristlecone pine, providing a study in extreme solitude and rugged mountain terrain.
- Area
- 106.25 km²
- Established
- 1989
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkUtah
171 km away#7 closest
Southeast
Zion National Park National Park: Detailed Mapped Geography and Protected Landscape Identity
Explore the mapped terrain and regional context of this Utah national park.
Zion National Park represents a key protected area within Utah, ideal for detailed geographic exploration. This canonical page offers insights into the park's specific mapped boundaries, its inherent landscape character, and its regional geographic setting. It is designed for users seeking to understand the atlas-level significance of Zion National Park as a national park entity, focusing on its protected terrain and natural geography.
- Area
- 593.26 km²
- Established
- 1919
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 4.9M annual
Wildlife reserveUtah
175 km away#8 closest
South
Red Mountain Wilderness: Mapped Sandstone Massif and Protected Landscape in Utah
Ecological transitions between the Mojave Desert and Great Basin
Red Mountain Wilderness is a distinct protected landscape in southwestern Utah characterized by its dramatic Navajo sandstone block. Positioned near the Gunlock Fault and Snow Canyon, the area features rugged desert terrain where Mojave and Great Basin ecosystems converge. This wilderness preserves significant archaeological history and diverse plant communities within its sandstone canyons and flats, offering a window into the varied natural environment of the region.
- Area
- 75.8 km²
- Established
- 2009
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Upland
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring Great Basin National Park's Geographic and Landscape Context
Deepen your understanding of Great Basin National Park by examining its specific geographic features and mapped protected area. This destination provides detailed atlas context for its landscape, helping you to comprehend its regional significance and unique terrain. Continue your exploration to discover more about the park's boundaries and its place within the natural geography of Nevada, enriching your understanding of this protected national park.
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