Lehman Caves National Monument Centennial Celebration 2022
Dedicated in 1922 as Nevada’s very first national monument, the largest and most dazzling underground cave system in Nevada celebrates its 100th anniversary with a year-long celebration of festivities. Located within Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves enchanted visitors long before the area was designated an official National Park, undoubtedly paving the way for it to become one in 1986. While most other caves around the world have a couple shield formations, Lehman Caves stuns with more than 300. The cave’s intricate ecosystem is also home to a handful of creatures found nowhere else on Earth—like the pseudoscorpion—along with many other insects, bat species, and spiders.
100 Years to Remember
Beginning in January 2022, Lehman Caves Centennial Events will be held within Great Basin National Park and in the surrounding Baker and Ely areas through December 2022. Ongoing events throughout the 2022 centennial year include the unveiling and re-opening of the completely restored Wheeler Peak Campground, special lantern lit Lehman Caves tours (by advanced reservation only), photo archives exhibits from the Great Basin Collection changing monthly, and the Astronomy Train presented by Ely’s Northern Nevada Railway. Times and dates for ongoing events are subject to change—as they become confirmed, the park will update official information on their website, here. To see a complete schedule for the Centennial Virtual Lecture Series, click here.
April, 2022: Special event presenting ranching, farming skills, hunting skills of the 1920s.
- 04/06/22: Great Basin National Park Foundation Centennial Virtual Lecture Series on A Close Up Look at Lehman Caves. To register for this virtual lecture, click here.
- 04/20/22: Horseshoeing Demonstration by Glen Dearden and Justin Farnsworth—1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Ranching Exhibit off Highway 488 near Baker, NV.
May, 2022: Special event presenting the home skills of the 1920s, including quilting demonstrations and participations.
- 05/04/22: Great Basin National Park Foundation Centennial Virtual Lecture Series on Exploring Lehman Caves Ancient, Mysterious Past. To register for this virtual lecture, click here.
- 05/12/22: Butter-Making Demonstration by Carol Ferguson—2:00 PM at Baker Hall in Baker, NV.
- 05/18/22: Sourdough Demonstration by Abe Johnson—2:00 PM at Baker Hall in Baker, NV.
June, 2022: Special event presenting recreation of the 1920s, including square dancing lessons.
- 06/01/22: Great Basin National Park Foundation Lecture Series on the Geology of Great Basin National Park: From the Dawn of Life to the Snake Range of the Basin and Range. To register for this virtual lecture, click here.
July, 2022: Join along in the Lehman Caves Fun Run alongside area non-profit organization Ely Outdoor Enthusiasts! Some activities will include square dance “hoedown” open participation, along with a Dutch Oven Dinner in partnership with the Great Basin National Parks Foundation.
- 07/06/22: Great Basin National Park Foundation Lecture Series on the Great Basin Rattlesnake.
- 07/15/22: Square Dance “Hoe Down” open participation with Dutch Oven Dinner (reservations required), sponsored by the Great Basin National Park Foundation.
August 2022:
- 08/03/22: Great Basin National Park Foundation Lecture Series on Bonneville Cutthroat Trout: Resilient in a Changing World. To register for this virtual lecture, click here.
August 6, 2022 – Lehman Caves Rededication Ceremony
- 7:00 AM Sunrise Flag Raising Ceremony will take place behind the Lehman Caves Visitor Center at the original flagpole location, with the 1922 flag including 48 stars.
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Lehman Caves Lantern Tours. Experience the cave the way early visitors did, lighted only by lanterns! (Advanced reservation only.)
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM History and Nature Tours. Guided tours with Lehman Caves Rangers along the Lehman Caves National Monument Nature Trail created in 1966.
- 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Rededication Ceremony. Presented at the new Astronomy Amphitheater unveiled in 2021, join along in the official Lehman Caves National Monument Centennial Rededication with special guest speakers, dignitaries, and a special 100th birthday cake and refreshments, live music entertainment, and more.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
September, 2022: Celebrate the 14th annual Great Basin Astronomy Festival, along with an array of activities centered around Public Lands Day volunteer activities within Great Basin National Park. More info to come!
October through December, 2022: Keep an eye out for more information about photo exhibits and virtual events. More info to come!
For more information on planning your trip to Lehman Caves National Monument Centennial Celebration or Great Basin National Park, get in touch with the park directly at (775) 234-7331.
