From some of Nevada’s tallest peaks to one of the most unusual underground cave systems in the West, Great Basin National Park is a land of extremes, providing an extraordinarily unusual habitat to some of the Silver State’s most surprising creatures. There’s no better way to learn all about ‘em than the Great Basin BioBlitz, where local plant and wildlife ecologists host an array of interactive workshops all about the unusual biodiversity found within. Throughout this free, three-day biodiversity bash, get in on lectures and workshops about forest health, cave life, creatures who live here, and only here.
From the darkest skies in the country, to the world of unusual plants and wildlife that thrives within, we know Great Basin National Park is a special place. This summer, load up the whole fam and take a walk on the wild side with specialized ecologists for the Bumble Bee BioBlitz.
Almost 8,000 feet of elevation between the Snake Valley Floor and Wheeler Peak provides an array of specialized ecosystems to native and non-native species living at Great Basin National Park—if that drastic array of climate zones isn’t already alluring enough, Great Basin is also one of the darkest and quietest environments in the Lower 48, beckoning everyone from Rocky Mountain elk, to mountain lion, to a world of birds, reptiles, and fish to the area to thrive in their truest nocturnal senses.
Typically held each July, the theme of the BioBlitz changes annually, some focusing on the bats living with Lehman Caves, while others have been centered around Lichen, birds and raptors, stream insects, butterflies and moths, anachrids, reptiles, beetles and more. The 2025 Great Basin BioBlitz will focus on gathering data about bumblebees: where they fly, what they gather, and how they’re doing what they do best: Pollinating! Bring note-taking materials, dress for the weather and terrain, and if you have your own nets and vials, be sure to bring them along.
Stake your spot and one of the park’s many campgrounds during the event. We recommend making your reservation ahead of time, as the park no longer accepts first come, first served campground visitors.