Forum Discussion

profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2016

Great Basin: trailer limit of 24 ft, or is that combined?

I have done the homework and am getting conflicting info, so I am trying to see if anyone knows for sure -- the Wheeler Peak Campground is in the high country, and that is where I would like to camp for a few nights. But the Great Basin website says "single vehicles or trailers over 24 ft." are not allowed.

Is that 24 feet combined, or just the trailer? If it is combined, I am over the limit, despite a small truck and a tiny trailer. If it is a per-vehicle limit, I am fine. I am hoping it is the latter, since a small truck and a small trailer can bend around hairpin turns with ease.

If you know the answer from personal experience, I would love to hear from you!

(Random observation -- the National Park websites for each park are very pretty but are far less informative and far harder to navigate than the National Forest sites. Why in the world would that be true? But it is almost uniformly the case.)

18 Replies

  • enblethen wrote:
    Here is info on campground. Some sites are larger. The site length is what the park service feels is right. Many sites can handle larger then listed. A trailer may need to disconnect and tow vehicle located else where.
    Campground info
    If they ask it is 24'.
    If you fit then stay. No fit then roll back down.
  • Other than having lower temperatures, what is the compelling reason for Wheeler Peak CG? We were there in early June and stayed in one of the lower CGs and we were lulled to sleep each night by the sounds from a stream and we had fantastic views of the Valley.

    I do applaud everyone who spends the time to go to Great Basin. As we discovered, you really have to want to go there. We came from the east and the drive was fantastic and very colorful but it is a ways from anything else. We do plan on another visit. Oh yeah, we have four National Parks left to visit and we will have been to ALL 59.
  • Yes, I will contact them. But I have found that one often gets inaccurate info, depending on who answers the phone! I have made it a practice to call twice. First I call, and later my wife calls on a different line. It is amazing how often the info differs.
  • We were there this Memorial Day, although there was still 4 feet of snow on the ground. The 24 foot limit is probably for the road TO the CG. It is very windy, steep, with little room for error. We didn't tow our TT up the hill but we could have. The sites varied in size. From what we saw our 24er would fit in.

    Be sure to take the cave tour. If you are lucky, you will get the same geology geek of a ranger who gave our tour.
  • The website states: Note: The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is narrow, winding, and climbs an 8 percent grade in 12 miles. Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive past Upper Lehman Campground is closed to single vehicles or trailers in excess of 24 feet in length.

    I would assume that as long as each vehicle is 24 feet or less, that you'll be OK. However, I would not want to be the one to head up there and find out that assumption is wrong.

    As Naio recommends try emailing them at grba_interpretation@nps.gov or calling at (775) 234-7331 and getting the correct information directly from them.
  • Here is info on campground. Some sites are larger. The site length is what the park service feels is right. Many sites can handle larger then listed. A trailer may need to disconnect and tow vehicle located else where.
    Campground info
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    I would just call the park.

    You'll probably have to be transferred a few times, and maybe wait for a callback, but I doubt the Wheeler camphost or other on-the-ground person will be too busy to talk to you :B.

    I've done this a couple times when I could not figure out what was being said on a website, or had other questions.
  • So if you have a mmotorhome over 24 ft you are not allowed.
    If your trailer is under 24 feet, it and the tow vehicle are allowed providing the tow vehicle is not over 24 feet by itself