What's on in Great Basin National Park, United States through the year

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Wheeler Peak drive shuts (1 Nov – 20 May (usually))

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Wheeler Peak drive shuts (1 Nov – 20 May (usually))

Busy — Spring break in United States

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Wheeler Peak drive shuts (1 Nov – 20 May (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Wheeler Peak drive shuts (1 Nov – 20 May (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Season

  Summer astronomy programmes

  24 May – 7 Sep · usuallyDark-sky season

  Roughly from Memorial Day to Labor Day, rangers give an evening talk followed by telescope viewing at the astronomy amphitheatre, Thursday to Sunday; no booking, but numbers are capped by the parking. Source ↗

Still on: Wheeler Peak drive shuts (1 Nov – 20 May (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Summer astronomy programmes (24 May – 7 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, Summer break in United States

• Hazard

  Afternoon storms on Wheeler Peak

  1 Jul – 10 Sep · usuallyStorm season

  Fierce afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, most of all in July and August, and the summit trail runs above treeline; start at dawn and be off the exposed ridge by midday. Source ↗

Still on: Summer astronomy programmes (24 May – 7 Sep (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Summer astronomy programmes (24 May – 7 Sep (usually)), Afternoon storms on Wheeler Peak (1 Jul – 10 Sep (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States

• Festival

  Great Basin Astronomy Festival

  10–13 SepDark-sky seasonBook early

  Three nights timed to the new moon in one of the darkest certified skies in the country: telescope fields, tours of the observatory, astrophotography workshops and star parties that run past midnight. Free, and the nearest beds are in Baker. Source ↗

• Nature

  Aspen colour

  20 Sep – 20 Oct · usuallyAutumn colour

  The aspen stands along the Wheeler Peak road turn through late September and October, and the trails are emptier than they are all summer. An early storm can shut the drive before the colour is finished, so check the road before the drive out. Source ↗

Still on: Summer astronomy programmes (24 May – 7 Sep (usually)), Afternoon storms on Wheeler Peak (1 Jul – 10 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Aspen colour (20 Sep – 20 Oct (usually))

Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States

• Closure

  Wheeler Peak drive shuts

  1 Nov – 20 May · usually

  Park roads generally run from Memorial Day to late October, and the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive closes with the first real snow. Baker, Strawberry and Snake Creek roads go the same way, which puts the bristlecones out of reach until spring. Source ↗

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Wheeler Peak drive shuts (1 Nov – 20 May (usually))