Campground

Upper Lehman Creek Campground

Campground
Picnic table, grill, empty tent pad. Surrounded by pine trees with a view of mountain tops.

Upper Lehman Creek Campground sits at 7,500 feet beneath ponderosa pine, white fir, and mahogany, where a mountain stream runs through 23 scattered campsites. This is dry camping—no water, no hookups, vault toilets only—demanding self-sufficiency but rewarding with solitude. It's the gateway to Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and high-alpine trails, and it's located in Great Basin's designated International Dark Sky Park. Book this expecting rugged backcountry-lite camping; the payoff is silence and stars.

Quick facts

Reservation System
Recreation.gov
Reservation Window
17 sites up to 6 months in advance; 6 sites up to 14 days in advance
Reservation Tips
Target the 6-month opening (mid-November for summer). 14-day window offers flexibility for mid-week and shoulder season trips.
Fills Up Speed
17 of 23 sites book 6 months ahead (peak July–Aug). 6 sites available 14 days out. Expect full most peak-season weekends.

Reservations & season

Reservation System
Recreation.gov
Reservation Window
17 sites up to 6 months in advance; 6 sites up to 14 days in advance
Reservation Tips
Target the 6-month opening (mid-November for summer). 14-day window offers flexibility for mid-week and shoulder season trips.
Fills Up Speed
17 of 23 sites book 6 months ahead (peak July–Aug). 6 sites available 14 days out. Expect full most peak-season weekends.
Per Night Cost
$20 per night per site (standard); $10 for seniors and access pass holders
Passes Accepted
America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers park entrance. Camping fees apply separately.

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
23
Site Types
Tent and RV (some sites)
Site Type Breakdown
18 sites (lower loop) allow RV/tent mix; 5 sites (upper loop #20–24) tent-only
RV Max Length
40 feet (lower loop only; upper loop tent-only)
Group Sites Available
0
Hookups
None (dry camping only)
Site Features
Fire ring (metal), picnic table. No bear boxes, no food lockers, no running water hookups.
Ground Type
Gravel and dirt, with some steeply-sloped campsites. Paved parking areas at entrance.
Site Privacy
Sites scattered among ponderosa pine, white fir, and mahogany; partial visual screening. Some sites more open than others.

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Vault toilets (seasonal)
Potable Water
No water on site. Bring full containers from Baker or filter natural sources.
Dump Station
No RV dump station. Haul wastewater out or access Baker facilities.
Trash Service
Dumpsters provided (seasonal)
Camp Store
No store on site. Resupply in Baker before arrival.
Firewood Availability
Dead wood collection from ground permitted (not above 10k ft, not Bristlecone, not attached). Gas stoves permitted. No firewood sold on site.
Cell Service
No cell service. Download offline maps and weather before arrival.
Nearby Facilities
Baker (nearest town)

Access

Road Type
Paved (Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive)
Road Conditions
Well-maintained paved road from Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Sedan-friendly; no washboard or high-clearance required.
Vehicle Restrictions
RVs/trailers up to 40 ft on lower loop (sites #1–19). Upper loop (sites #20–24) tent-only. Standard vehicles OK on paved Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
Clearance Needed
Standard
Distance From Entrance
3.5 miles from Lehman Caves Visitor Center
Nearest Gas Services
Baker
Elevation
7,500 ft
Accessibility
Paved campground road accommodates vehicles up to 40 ft. Campsites gravel/dirt with slopes. Two ADA sites (#2, #18) with paved parking and accessible vault toilets.
ADA Accessible Sites
Two ADA sites (#2, #18) with designated parking. Verify site-specific accessibility (775-234-7331). Vault toilets are ADA accessible.

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
No on-site food lockers. Bear country—hang food 10+ feet high and 10+ feet from tent/vehicle, or store entirely in vehicle. Includes toiletries, trash, and scented items.
Fire Restrictions
Fire rings only. Dead, down wood only. Must be attended. Check for seasonal bans.
Alcohol Permitted
0

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Ranger programs (astronomy, interpretive walks—seasonal). Hiking access. Scenic driving. Stargazing.
Trailheads Nearby
High-alpine trails from Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive pullouts. Short drive to Bristlecone Grove, Stella Lake, Teresa Lake, and backcountry routes.
Wildlife Viewing
Marmots, pikas, elk, bears. Maintain 100-yard distance from bears, 25 yards from other wildlife.
Stargazing Quality
Excellent. International Dark Sky Park. Astronomy Amphitheater with seasonal ranger programs. Ideal for astrophotography.
Shade Coverage
Partial shade from ponderosa pine, white fir, mahogany. Some open sites get full sun.
Scenic Views
Mountain stream, ponderosa pine and white fir forest, alpine meadows. Views toward Wheeler Peak and Snake Range.
Noise Level
Minimal. Mountain stream background. No road traffic. Ideal for sleep and stargazing.
Best Time To Visit
July–August for warmest weather. June and September for smaller crowds. Night temps drop below freezing year-round.
Vibe Check
High-altitude mountain campground. Scattered ponderosa-fir forest sites with mountain stream. Quiet, solitude, minimal crowds outside peak summer. Backcountry-adjacent atmosphere. No amenities = freedom.
Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: Experienced dry campers. Tent enthusiasts seeking alpine solitude and stargazing. Hikers wanting high-alpine trail access. OK with vault toilets and no showers. ❌ SKIP IF: Need hookups. Want cell service or hot showers. Can't handle 7,500 ft elevation or vault toilets. Expect developed resort-style campground.
Tips Advice
  • Arrive with full water containers—no on-site water.
  • Stake tent solidly—7,500 ft + mountain exposure = wind gusts. Use quality guy-lines and gust-rated stakes.
  • Night temps drop below freezing even July–August; pack insulating sleeping bag.
  • No generators (quiet campground); bring headlamp.
  • Scope site before committing—slopes vary; bring leveling blocks.
  • Dead wood restricted (no Bristlecone, not above 10k ft); gather before dark.
  • Fire rings only, fires must be attended.
  • Download offline maps, weather, sunrise/sunset times; no cell service.

More details

Park Area
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive corridor
Sites RV Only
1
Family Friendly Notes
7,500 ft elevation requires acclimatization. No water or showers means extra planning. Vault toilets only. Ranger programs and scenic drives kid-friendly. Creek wading possible (cold water, supervision needed).
Senior Access Discounts
$10 per night (vs. $20 standard rate). No checks accepted.
Amphitheater
Astronomy Amphitheater (seasonal ranger programs)
Nearby Attractions
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, Lehman Caves tours, Bristlecone Grove, Stella Lake and Teresa Lake trailheads
Terrain Type
High-alpine mountain terrain, 7,500 ft elevation. Sites range from flat to steeply sloped.
Snow Season
First snow typically triggers closure (Nov–Dec).
Monsoon Season
Afternoon thunderstorms possible July–August. Lightning hazard—seek vehicle shelter. Check weather daily.
Wind Exposure
High-altitude wind exposure common. Use windproof tent setup and gust-rated stakes.
Bug Season
Mosquitoes likely July–August. Bring repellent.
Setup Strategy
Paved parking accommodates vehicles up to 40 ft (lower loop). Campsites gravel/dirt with slopes; bring leveling blocks. Back-in setup typical.
Bath Laundry Recon
No showers or laundry. Creek bathing possible. Plan sponge baths or solar showers.
Review Summary
Highly rated by backcountry and astronomy enthusiasts for pristine solitude, dark skies, and mountain stream. Drawbacks: no water, vault toilets, tight upper-loop sites. Best for prepared, self-sufficient campers; challenging for first-timers.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Will my 40-foot RV fit?

Yes, on the lower loop (sites #1–19). Upper loop (sites #20–24) is tent-only. Arrive early to scout—slopes vary. Contact 775-234-7331 if unsure.

Do I need a reservation or can I walk up?

Reservations required via Recreation.gov. 17 sites book 6 months in advance; 6 sites available up to 14 days prior. No first-come-first-serve.

Is there water and cell service?

No on-site water—bring full containers from Baker. No cell service—download maps and weather before arrival.

Are there showers or laundry?

No. Plan sponge baths or solar showers. Nearest showers and laundry likely in Baker.

Is this bear country?

Yes. No food lockers on site. Hang all food 10+ feet high and away from tents, or store in vehicle. Never leave food unattended.

When is the best time to visit?

July–August for warmest weather but most crowds. June and September for fewer crowds and good stargazing. Closed Dec–April. Night temps drop below freezing year-round.

Dump Station

RV dump ($10), trash bins, seasonal water, composting toilets. Day-use only, May-October.

Grey Cliffs Campground

Desert high-country tent camping with zero hookups. Vault toilets, no water. Starry skies and Lehman Caves access.

Wheeler Peak Campground

Highest-elevation campground in the NPS at 9,886 ft. No water, no hookups—for alpine explorers only.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.