“It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels.” Heinz Stuke
The Great Basin has long been a destination for road cyclists. The Western Express leg of the Trans-America Trail runs from Pueblo, Colorado, to the coast of San Francisco, California, rolling right through the heart of the Great Basin. If you are riding coast-to-coast, Baker is an excellent overnight stop, with restaurants, motels, and campsites known for catering to bicyclists.
In Great Basin National Park, biking is allowed only on roads. For trail biking and mountain biking, head to Sacramento Pass Recreation Area or try the multitude of old mining and ranching roads on BLM land. For further adventure, nearby Ely has also has many mountain biking trails.
Easy Day Rides
sacramento pass trail - 6.5 Miles of three combined loops - EASy
Network of signed two-track roads allows hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders and OHV riders
Explore beautiful country and historic mining ruins
Access from Highway 50, 15 miles west of the Utah border
No potable water
Moderate Day Rides
miller basin Trail - 16 Miles roundtrip - moderate
The trail traverses from Willow Patch Springs to Miller Basin
Spectacular views of Wheeler Peak, Mt. Moriah and the Schell Creek Range
Ride through the ghost town of Black Horse, a turn-of-the-century mining camp
Elevation Gain: 1,677'
ward mountain recreation area - 20 Miles of combined loops - Moderate
Four connected loops meander through the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper forests of Ward Mountain
BLM trailhead is approximately 6 miles south of Ely off Highway 6; take the western spur road at the summit to reach the North Trailhead
Warming huts/rest shelters are available along these trails
No potable water
cave lake state park - 30 Miles of combined loops - Mild to challenging
A network of mountain bike trails of varying lengths and difficulties; can be combined or biked individually
Access by driving 49 miles west of Baker on U.S. 93; turn onto Success Summit road (State route 486) and continue east for 6.5 miles
Restrooms, picnic areas, and campsites are available in the park
Trail map can be viewed here
Long Rides
american discovery Trail - 100 Miles from baker to ely - challenging
Series of gravel roads and two tracks linked together in Nevada, largely on isolated, relatively unused dirt roads through the White Pine Range
Dispersed camping is allowed along the route
No potable water or facilities other than in designated campgrounds
western express - 1,582 Miles from San Francisco, ca to Pueblo, co - iron man
Connects the west coast of California to the Trans-America Trail, a popular route for coast-to-coast bicyclists
Baker is the eastern-most point on Nevada's Highway 50, aka "The Loneliest Road in America", and an excellent stopover before climbing the mountain passes to the east or west
More Things To Do
Stargazing
Hiking
where to sleep
cave tours
