Snake Creek Primitive Campgrounds
The Quick Take
Snake Creek is Great Basin's best-kept secret — a collection of scattered primitive sites tucked into aspen groves beneath towering limestone cliffs on the park's quieter southeastern flank. Unlike the more popular Wheeler Peak or Upper Lehman campgrounds, Snake Creek feels genuinely remote despite being car-accessible. The trade-off is real: there's no water, no toilets worth mentioning, and no camp host to bail you out if you forget something. In return, you get free camping, almost guaranteed solitude, and some of the darkest skies in an already legendarily dark park. The individual sites — Monkey Rock, Squirrel Springs, Pinnacles, Eagle Peak — each have their own character, and two walk-in sites near the Shoshone and Johnson Lake trailheads offer even more seclusion for a half-mile of effort. This is the campground for experienced campers who consider amenities optional and silence essential.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
12 sites, first-come first-served.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 30 feet. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms available. The main road of this campground has paved parking areas for cars and campers. The campsites are gravel and dirt with some steep surfaces. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Pro Tips
Eagle Peak and Pinnacles sit higher with better cliff views, while Squirrel Springs lives up to its name with more tree cover and shade — scout all four before committing since it's first-come, first-served and you'll likely have options.
The Johnson Lake trailhead at the end of Snake Creek Road is one of the least-used approaches to the alpine lakes zone. Grab a walk-in site near the trailhead and you're positioned for an early morning summit attempt without fighting Wheeler Peak crowds.
Pack every drop of water you'll need — the creek is not a reliable treated water source. Bring at least two gallons per person per day, plus a filtration system as backup. Nights drop into the 30s even in July at this elevation, so a proper three-season sleeping bag is non-negotiable.
Photos
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
From Great Basin Visitor Center: Turn right on Highway 487 before Nevada/Utah Border
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