Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park is located 60 miles southeast of Ely, and 5 miles west of Baker. It is the home of the ancient Bristlecone Pine, Lehman Caves, Stella Lake, and Mt. Wheeler, the crown jewel and sentinel overlooking the park.

Cave tours open year-round.

Summer: Camping, hiking, fishing, and more.

Winter: Cross-country skiing, camping, and more.

Phone 775.234.7331

Visit the Great Basin Park website

Garnet Hill – naturally faceted garnets

The Garnet Hill rock hound recreation area in White Pine County is located about 4 miles Northwest of Central Ely in the Eagan mountain range. The major access road to this area joins US Highway 50 about 6.4 miles west of the traffic signal at US 395 and US 50 junction in Ely. This nationally known rock hounding area is famous for its very dark colored garnets found in a flow banded rhyolitic volcanic rock.

For more information, visit the Garnet Hill website.

Swamp Cedar Natural Area

Swamp Cedar Natural Area is about 39 miles east of Ely. It is a natural preserve and discourages tourism.

 

Pinyon Tree - pinenut crop

The low, dry slopes of the Great Basin are ideal for the slow-growing pinyon pines. An abundant crop of pinenuts can be harvested every year.