Experience the incredible scenic beauty of Great Basin National Park from above when you embark on one of the park’s most awe-inspiring drives. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is a true mountain drive that takes you on a memorable journey complete with plenty of high-altitude views. You’ll be driving among the clouds on this high-elevation drive so check it out for your next big adventure!
High-elevation views wait for you on the one and only Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive in Great Basin National Park. This 12-mile mountain road is bound to leave you in awe of the area's endless beauty, including the towering face of Wheeler Peak.
This iconic drive in Nevada's only national park starts at the park boundary on Nevada Highway 488. From here, the highway gains 4,000-feet in elevation over 12 miles, crossing through numerous ecological zones along the way.
The highway perfectly showcases the diversity of Nevada's landscapes. You'll start amid the rugged scenery of the Great Basin Desert, loaded with the sight of low-lying sagebrush and wildlife including mule deer, coyotes, and jackrabbits.
After leaving sagebrush desert, you'll soon find yourself surrounded by large stands of pinyon pine trees. You'll reach 8,000-feet above sea level on this stretch of the drive, and the woodland scenery will just become more and more dense.
By 9,000-feet, the highway starts to pass through forests of mixed conifers. There are many pullouts located along the highway where you can stop and soak it all in. They also give you access to numerous hiking and interpretive trails in the area.
By the end of the scenic drive, you'll reach an elevation that exceeds 10,000-feet above sea level. The end of the highway shows a complete transformation from the rugged Nevada desert to the alpine forest setting, and what a journey it is!
This drive is certainly unique in the way it takes you above the clouds, but you'll want to be sure to use caution if you choose to complete it. The road is very narrow and wildlife crossings also pose a danger. Learn more about the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive at the National Park site here.
Have you completed this high-elevation drive before? Tell us about your favorite mountain drive in Nevada in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
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