Great Basin National Heritage Area
Isolated mountain ranges scattered throughout the Great Basin area offer secluded campsites and accessible hikes ending with majestic views of the massive expanse.
Watch off the side of the road for wild horses that roam freely across the Great Basin region.
01
Grand Adventure in the Great Basin
In this five-day itinerary you won’t find many crowds. But take your time and you’ll find this desert geography isn’t so empty after all.
Highlights
- Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
- Pahvant Valley Heritage Trail
- Topaz Incarceration Camp and Museum
- Sinbad Road / Hermit Cabin
- Great Basin National Park
- Cove Fort
02
West Desert Ramble & The Pony Express
This itinerary is a three-day adventure along the Pony Express National Historic Trail in Utah's West Desert. Visit Simpson Springs, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Gold Hill and more.
Highlights
- Camp Floyd State Park Museum
- Fish Springs Wildlife Refuge
- Pony Express National Historic Trail
- Historic Wendover Airfield
"After slowing down for exploration and discovery of the Great Basin's towns, museums, and open lands, the imagination quickly fills in the spaces: volcanoes erupt and the liquified earth hardens into formations; a massive, prehistoric lake inundates the valleys; ancestral peoples carve out a wild and sophisticated culture; pioneer settlers put down roots; and dreams of statehood build up monuments."
– Andrew Dash Gillman
Nearby Towns
-
Delta
Delta is known as a base camp for exploring the Little Sahara Sand Dunes and the West Desert. Delta is a stopping point on the way to Great Basin National Park, visiting town to see the Great Basin and Topaz Museums, Fort Deseret and the old Van’s Dance Hall.
-
Fillmore
Learn about Fillmore, UT, and plan your stay with a list of hotels and attractions in the area. Enjoy hiking in Territorial Statehouse State Park.
-
Beaver
Beaver, with a population of 3,000, is a gateway to gorgeous landscapes, rivers and streams, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, breathtaking scenic drives, haunted ghost towns, and plenty of peace and quiet.
Discover Millard County
-
Protecting Our Forests — One Branch at a Time
When it comes to preserving forests, University of Utah ecologist Nalini Nadkarni believes in the cumulative power of small acts of goodness.
-
What Hasn’t Been Found
Heritage, families and legends converge along the historic Pony Express route in Utah's West Desert.
-
Winter in Southern Utah Like a Local
Southern Utah comes alive in winter with unexpected experiences for those who are well-prepared and solitude for those who want to expand their view.
-
The Herds of the West Desert
Searching for wild mustangs amongst Utah’s rolling hills.
-
Your Guide to Utah's Best Hot Springs
Here’s a quick guide to planning your visit to Utah’s best hot springs. The fun goes beyond sitting and soaking — you’ll find waterslides, paddleboard yoga, camping and music festivals that turn a quick visit into a weekend worth of fun.
-
5 Hot Springs for a Romantic Utah Long Weekend
For those seeking a slice of paradise, the mineral-rich hot springs of Utah are a picture-perfect destination for a romantic getaway built for two.
-
5 Best Ways to View Wild Horses in Utah
There are plenty of opportunities for viewing wild horses in Utah. Here are five things you need to do and plan on to increase the likelihood you will spot these majestic creatures and get the most of your adventure.
-
How a Window View Led to a Career as a Raptor Biologist
Hawkwatch’s Steve Slater rappels or climbs into bird nests — whatever it takes — as he studies the West Desert’s golden eagle population.
