Limestone stalactites ,Lehman Caves ,Great Basin Postcard

AssetID: 78367969 / David Wasserman / Limestone stalactites ,Lehman Caves ,Great Basin National Park ,Nevada Great Basin National Park is a United States National Park established in 1986, located in east-central Nevada near the Utah border. The park derives its name from the Great Basin , the dry and mountainous region between the Sierra Nevada and the Wasatch Mountains . Topographically, this area is known as the Basin and Range Province . The park is located approximately 290 miles (470 km) north of Las Vegas and protects 77,180 acres (31,230 ha). The park is notable for its groves of ancient bristlecone pines , the oldest known non-clonal organisms; and for the Lehman Caves at the base of 13,063-foot (3,982 m) Wheeler Peak . President Warren G. Harding created Lehman Caves National Monument by presidential proclamation on January 24, 1922. It was incorporated into the national park on October 27, 1986. There are a number of developed campsites within the park, as well as excellent back country camping opportunities. Adjacent to Great Basin National Park lies the Highland Ridge Wilderness . These two protected areas provide contiguous wildlife habitat and protection to 227.8 square miles (590.0 km2 ) of eastern Nevada's basin lands. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.