Wildlife viewing in Great Basin National Park

Wildlife viewing in Great Basin National Park

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, Great Basin National Park in Nevada is the perfect destination for you. The park offers plenty of opportunities to observe and appreciate the diverse wildlife that calls it home. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, a mammal lover, or just enjoy being surrounded by nature, there’s something for everyone.

Here are some of the top wildlife viewing activities to do in Great Basin National Park:

Go on a wildlife watching hike

The best way to see wildlife up close is to hit the trails. Great Basin National Park has numerous hiking trails that are ideal for wildlife viewing. Trails like the Bristlecone Trail, Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, and the Lexington Arch Trail offer opportunities to spot bighorn sheep, mule deer, and various bird species, including mountain bluebirds and Clark’s nutcrackers.

Visit the Lehman Caves

Lehman Caves is a popular attraction in the park that features a stunning limestone cave system. While exploring the caves, keep an eye out for cave-dwelling animals like Townsend’s big-eared bats and the canyon bat. The park offers guided tours of the cave system that provide insights into the cave’s formation and the animals that live within it.

Attend a Ranger-led Program

Great Basin National Park’s Ranger-led programs are a great way to learn about the park’s wildlife and its ecology. These programs range from guided hikes and stargazing to educational talks and workshops. Check with the park’s visitor center for a schedule of events during your visit.

Take a scenic drive

If you prefer to see wildlife from the comfort of your car, Great Basin National Park has several scenic drives that offer stunning views of the park’s wildlife and landscapes. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and the Baker Creek Road are two of the most popular scenic drives in the park.

Join a guided wildlife watching tour

If you’re looking for a more in-depth wildlife viewing experience, consider joining a guided wildlife watching tour. These tours are led by experienced guides who are familiar with the park’s wildlife and its behavior. These tours offer the best chance to see wildlife like pronghorns, mountain lions, and black bears in their natural habitat.

Head to the park’s water sources

Water sources like the Lehman Creek and the Baker Creek are excellent spots to observe wildlife. Animals like elk, pronghorns, and bighorn sheep come to these sources to drink and graze. Look for tracks and scat on the trails leading to these sources to get an idea of the wildlife that has been recently active in the area.

Watch birds

Great Basin National Park is home to over 200 bird species. Birdwatchers can spot birds like the sage grouse, mountain bluebirds, and the rare Williamson’s sapsucker in the park. The Wheeler Peak Campground is an excellent location for bird watching, with bird species visiting the area year-round.

In conclusion, Great Basin National Park offers a fantastic wildlife viewing experience for visitors of all ages. From hiking and scenic drives to attending ranger-led programs and joining guided tours, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. So, pack your binoculars and plan a trip to this beautiful national park to witness the amazing wildlife that resides here.