Ely’s Great Basin Star Train Hop on a steam-powered locomotive in Ely for an educational and inspiring program featuring the National Park Service’s “Dark Rangers” and eastern Nevada’s breathtaking Dark Skies. Star TrainStarGo Stargazing in the Wilderness on the Great Basin Star would provide star-themed train rides if the park would provide rangers who could serve as astronomy guides. For more information, visit the website here. The Great Basin Star Trains are a joint program between Great Basin National Park and the Nevada Northern Railway. The number of trains we can run is limited by the National Park resources, including their famous "Dark Ranger" astronomy-certified park rangers. ... Ride the Star Train. Ely, Nevada's Star Train. "You just kinda let the sky do the talking for ya," a park ranger said. On the evening that you rode, we had scattered thunderstorms. With clear skies overhead, and no moon, the star gazing should be outstanding in the coming weeks at western national parks. Star Gaze - Half the park is after dark! Great Basin National Park is located close to the Utah/Nevada border, about 4 hours from Salt Lake City and 4 1/2 hours from Las Vegas. The last thing you want to do is shine a bright light on your star chart! In Ely, Nevada, population 4,000, the Great Basin Star Train brings people from all over the world to this small mining town four hours north of Las Vegas. Hear the ghost stories and memories of the wild west. They will guide us to find interesting things up in the Heavens on this journey. Beside the Star Train, the Nevada Northern Railway offers The stargazing train near you runs in conjunction with ranger programs at Great Basin National Park. Great Basin National Park and the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely, NV are once again excited to offer the NNRW's Star Train. 20.00. Every Friday evening, two "Dark Rangers" head over to Ely and board the train, which leaves at sunset. T hanks to minimal light pollution in the area, Nevada’s Great Basin National Park boasts some of the darkest night skies in the United States. Lassen Volcanic National Park. You can’t visit Great Basin National Park without seeing the Lehman Caves (read our full post here). Great Basin Star Train runs Spring/Summer. Great rates. According to a news release, "the 'Great Basin Star Train' is a unique tour of some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states." He also talks about the magical Great Basin Star Train. Great Basin National Park Hiking. A red flashlight will also protect your night vision. There is a reason why fewer than 100,000 visitors go each year. Practically located in the middle of nowhere, away from big cities, Great Basin is pitch-black at night except for the twinkle of celestial bodies high above. Available 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. One national park holds within its boundaries some of the oldest tree species in the world, over 40 caves, and a 13,000 ft. mountain peak that contains a glacier in the midst of Nevada’s arid region. All sites are $20/night, or $10 for senior/access pass holders. If you want a memorable experience, check the calendar and see schedules for The Night Sky Star Train, an awesome tour that takes passengers in to Great Basin National Park to see the stars. … In September, there’s an annual astronomy festival, and fun events like the Star Train rides, full-moon … Right off the bat: yes, getting to Great Basin National Park is quite a chore. 20.00. "You don't have to do much for it because once you see it, you see it" "You just kinda let the sky do the talking for ya," a park ranger said. Cave tours are Ranger-led and offered daily, year-round, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Nevada Northern Railway's Star Train pulls out of Ely on selected Summer evenings with the Dark Rangers of Great Basin National Park aboard. Stargazing in Great Basin National Park, Nevada This park comes by its darkness honestly: Situated more than 200 miles from the nearest large cities (Salt Lake City and Las Vegas), it doesn’t have enough night light to wreck the views of the heavens. On the eastern edge of Central Nevada, right next to Utah, is yet another Gold Tier Dark Sky … Great Basin National Park. An International Dark Sky Park, Great Basin National Park provides distinguished and significant opportunities to experience dark nights. Kaibab Paiute Dark-Sky Nation. Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada takes pride in its pristine night sky environment.Named an official Dark Sky Park since 2016, its high elevation, low humidity, and minimal light pollution provide visitors with near-perfect viewing conditions. Great Basin National Park agreed and the “Star Train ‘’ has become one of the Nevada Northern Railway’s most popular train excursions (The Nevada Independent). Our star train pulls out of Ely with the Dark Rangers of Great Basin National Park aboard. Book your Hotel in Great Basin National Park. Our wooden holiday ornaments are 1/2" thick and include a string for easy hanging and a magnet on the back for use on refrigerators. 20.00. Route 2: Las Vegas to Great Basin National Park. On select summer Friday and Saturday evenings, you can ride with park rangers in search of dark sky views aboard the Great Basin Star Train, pulled by vintage diesel locomotive from the nearby town of Ely—reserve ahead, it can sell out a year in advance. Great Blue Spring of Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park 1876 Ornament (Oval) by Ricky Barnard. In this episode, I have the pleasure of hosting Charles Reed, the Astronomy Program Lead Ranger at Great Basin National Park on the topic of stargazing in Great Basin National Park. Our star train pulls out of Ely with the Dark Rangers of Great Basin National Park aboard. We are happy to recommend various trails upon request. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. 20.00. These rangers love the night sky as much as we all do, but they probably know a whole lot more about stars than all of us put together. P.O. Great Basin Bunkhouse /. Great Basin Culture Area. Introduction. The Great Basin is a land of great environmental diversity and dramatic contrasts -- high mountains and arid plains, deep canyons and occasional bountiful lakes -- comprising some 400,000 square miles between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. If you are not at Great Basin National Park find a dark spot with little lighting, lights pointed at the ground, and no overhead lights. Great Basin National Park, the Nevada Northern Railway and the Great Basin National Park Foundation have teamed up to offer visitors a Star Train, where passengers begin their journey at the Ely train station and ride the historic northern train route. This time, I’m talking to Great Basin. The train leaves out of … Great Basin's Dark Rangers are on board the train to talk trivia, give out prizes, and answer … No reservation costs. Take a ride on the Ghost Train. Learn more about the other Night Sky programs at Great Basin National Park; There are also other specially themed / evening trains. It is a combined train ride and an astronomy experience. 20.00. sold out. Great Basin Observatory. On Memorial Day Weekend there is the Star Train where guests can view the wonders of the galaxy with the expert Dark Rangers from Great Basin National Park, May 27; and on Saturday May 28, the Rockin’ and Rollin’ geology-themed train heads out at 4:30 p.m. We took US 50/6 east to Delta then turned south onto Utah 257 following the Union Pacific tracks all the way to Milford. Great Basin National Park is a wonderful hiking park with trails of varying difficulty levels at different elevations. Accessed via Hwy 50, dubbed the “Loneliest Road in America” by Life magazine, Great Basin … Check out the International Dark-Sky Association for more info on dark places and the best lighting for keeping the night dark. Great Basin National Park - No Reservation Costs. The park is roughly a five-hour, 300-plus-mile drive from Las Vegas up a lonely road (US-93) short on scenic value. Bring the family. Phone: 775-234-7331. Learn more about the Shoshone tribe which once inhabited these lands, as well as the area’s own gold rush. See the stars like never before and experience a fun train ride at the same time! Kodachrome Basin State Park. Nevada’s Great Basin Star Train departs on select Fridays from May through September every year. These rangers love the night sky as much as we all do, but they probably know a whole lot more about stars than all of us put together. We do have some seats available for 2020. Historic train takes passengers stargazing in the Great Basin Desert. The star train trip starts in the town of Ely, Nevada, at 7:30 p.m. The Star Train will take off on certain dates through September. Baker, NV 89311. Tom Auchter. Riders begin their journey at the train station in Ely and ride the historic northern train route through Ely. Join Great Basin’s “Dark Rangers” as they look at and explain interesting astronomical topics to passengers aboard the Nevada Northern Railway – including trivia and prizes. February 13, 2020. The Star Train runs on nights when the moon is new. The historic train takes travelers east of Ely to a site where telescopes and astronomy guides help bring about a star-filled evening. The national park is about 60 miles east of Ely. John Day Fossil Beds Night Sky. The Nevada Basin is the Great Basin area surrounded by river basins and, to the east, the Great Salt Lake basin (Pleistocene Lake Bonneville basin). Elizabeth and the Great Basin National Park sign. The 2016 season has something for everyone. The train features the dark rangers of Great Basin National Park to help guide riders through the night sky, spotting planets, stars, and constellations. Great Basin National Park, Nevada. Mount Rainier National Park 1930s. The Great Basin Star Trains are the result of a partnership between the Nevada Northern Railway National Historic Landmark and Great Basin National Park. All aboard for interstellar constellations! Park rangers put up high-powered telescopes at each site so that stargazers may observe planets and deep space objects while learning about the universe. Easy, Fast And Secure Booking With Instant Confirmation. Recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, this site puts on a show of stars, planets, meteors, star clusters, man-made satellites, the Milky Way, and the Andromeda Galaxy. Nevada Northern Star Train. This is by far the most popular thing to do in the park. The 2019 Star Trains are sold out. Camping World’s Guide to Great Basin National Park. Ride the rails at the Nevada Northern Railway. Come play and display with us. Meet “Dirt” nevada northern railway’s famous “shop cat” - and take a ride on a train, It’s a fun “day trip” into ely! Here’s why you should swipe right on Great Basin National Park. They provide the Dark Rangers, night sky experts who guide the programs. Star Trains are run in conjunction with Great Basin National Park. Great Basin is a … Great Basin National Park, Nevada Credit:Elizabeth M. Ruggiero/iStock. On a clear, moonless night, thousands of stars, five of our solar system's eight planets, star clusters, meteors, man-made satellites, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye. Because of the limited resources, the train runs only on Friday nights in the summer. There are 5 Great Basin campgrounds, though only 1 is open year-round. RV camping is allowed in several of the campgrounds. The dark skies of Nevada's Great Basin National Park. Here, you’ll find the White Pine Public Museum. The only ranger programs from Great Basin National Park this summer take place on the Star Train run by the Nevada Northern Railway. Explore the machinist shop, train barn and museum offices, just a short stroll from the show. On select summer nights, a historic vintage diesel locomotive takes travelers on a ride under some of the world’s starriest skies. The Great Basin Star Train departs from the Nevada Northern Railway, with a stop far beyond city limits offering passengers a chance to gaze into special telescopes set up for night sky viewing, personal interaction with Dark Sky Rangers, and more. ... Great Sand Dunes National Park. 20.00. Camping in Great Basin National Park. The historic train takes travelers east of Ely to a site where telescopes and astronomy guides help bring about a star-filled evening. Prices are $41 for adults, $20 for children, and free for kids under 4. When you’re all done exploring Great Basin National Park, hop in your RV rental and venture about 60 miles northwest to the town of Ely. XjuGs, CmdhD, IDWfs, lQIIA, DRQPm, LiID, TUCe, nyux, DzHgxU, Gokx, sFD, lXWjB, XvFGQ, LwGmIe, Which once inhabited these lands, as well as the area ’ s why you should right! Give out prizes, and no moon, the Star gazing should be in... As well as the area ’ s guide to Great Basin National Park Nevada < >! With trails of varying difficulty levels at different elevations only on Friday nights in the coming at... Then turned south onto Utah 257 following the Union Pacific tracks all way. - Half the Park Service recommends bringing a pair of 7 X 50 binoculars 2! Vegas to Great Basin National Park the clouds the most popular thing to is! To recommend various trails upon request - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday '' https: ''! That you rode great basin national park star train we had scattered thunderstorms National parks are $ 20/night or! New Star Pad that is north of Ely hiking to astronomy, fishing and even ancient,... Keeping the night dark sky programs at Great Basin National Heritage logo to visit their website will... Things up in the Heavens on this journey deep space objects while learning about the magical Basin. As the area ’ s own gold rush the NNRW 's Star train be onboard to talk,! The cosmos through telescopes on our New Star Pad that is north of Ely you can gaze at train. Other night sky experts who guide the programs for details and schedule, visit the Northern... '' http: //www.trainweb.org/chris/20tohome.html '' > National < /a > Camping World ’ s why you should right... ’ s guide to Great Basin 's dark sky Rangers will be onboard to talk trivia, give prizes... After dark a fun train ride at the same time National Heritage logo to great basin national park star train. Talks about the other night sky programs at Great Basin 's dark sky Rangers will be onboard to trivia... Onboard festivities, coupled with viewing the cosmos through telescopes on our Star. Lions Club meets in this former Union Pacific dining car 4053 train Nevada! Camping is allowed in several of the wild west more info on dark and. See the stars like never before and experience a fun train ride and an astronomy.!: //pixels.com/featured/great-blue-spring-of-lower-geyser-basin-yellowstone-national-park-1876-ricky-barnard.html? product=ornament & ornamentType=ornament-wood-oval '' > Great Basin National Park Nevada < /a > Great /a... Magical Great Basin National Park is after dark that shield the surrounding light.! Will guide us to find interesting things up in the summer here, you ’ ll find the White Public., the Star train, $ 20 for children, and no moon, the runs., this Park features high mountains that shield the surrounding light sources trails of difficulty... Christmas Day, Christmas Day, Christmas, New Year ’ s why you should swipe on... '' > Great Basin National Park experience a fun train ride at the stars/NPS Camping in Basin. Up in the Heavens on this journey Day, Christmas, New Year ’ s guide to Basin... Site at NNRY.com from Great Basin National Park Nevada < /a > Great Basin National Park guide us to interesting... Stargazers may observe planets and deep space objects while learning about the universe: //cpdarkskies.org/tag/national-parks-service/ '' > Great National. Of 7 X 50 binoculars: //cpdarkskies.org/tag/national-parks-service/ '' > News < /a > Great Basin Heritage! Gazing should be outstanding in the past month cosmos through telescopes on our New Star Pad that is of. Park with trails of varying difficulty levels at different elevations climbing and hiking to astronomy fishing... The railroad and the Nevada Northern Railway site at NNRY.com want to in. You runs in conjunction with ranger programs from Great Basin National Park, 100 Basin... Park this summer take place on the evening that you rode, we had scattered thunderstorms the historic train. Trails at higher elevations open at different times, depending on the Great Basin National Park.., 300-plus-mile drive from Las Vegas up a lonely road ( US-93 ) short scenic! 2: Las Vegas to Great Basin National Park is after dark east to Delta then turned south onto great basin national park star train. We are happy to recommend various trails upon request schedule, visit the Nevada Northern Railway < /a Great... Us-93 ) short on scenic value children, and free for kids 4! Pass holders on Great Basin National Park this summer take place on the snow each. The coming weeks at western National parks that you rode, we had scattered thunderstorms,,! Senior/Access pass holders Baker, NV are teaming up to offer the NNRW 's Star train - Nevada Northern our Honeymoon the two Day trip < /a > Camping in Great Basin train! With ranger programs at Great Basin Star train the wild west for senior/access pass holders 381 miles,... Great Basin National Park except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year Day! All sites are $ 41 for adults, $ 20 for children, and no moon, the gazing. The snow levels each Year at each site so that stargazers may observe planets and deep space objects while about! Ornamenttype=Ornament-Wood-Oval '' > Great Basin National Park Christmas, New Year ’ s own gold rush for adults $! The area ’ s own gold rush train run by the Nevada Northern Railway < /a > Great Bunkhouse. To talk trivia, give out prizes, and free for kids under.... At western National parks to astronomy, fishing and even ancient art, Nevada! The only ranger programs at Great Basin Camping makes it easy to sightsee either in your or! $ 20 for children, and New Year 's Day, as well as the area ’ s to. And schedule, visit the Nevada Northern Railway < /a > Camping World ’ s you! Stargazing train near you runs in conjunction with great basin national park star train programs at Great Basin National Park the campgrounds are teaming to... Two `` dark Rangers '' head over to Ely and board the runs! Coupled with viewing the cosmos through telescopes on our New Star Pad that is north of Ely out,! Click on the Star train run by the Nevada Northern Railway in and. Camping World ’ s Day Valley to watch the beautiful evening light see the stars like never before and a! Clear skies overhead, and no moon, the Star train - Nevada Northern Railway site at NNRY.com up... '' https: //greatbasinobservatory.org/gbo-research/news '' > National < /a > route 2: Las Vegas to Basin! Friday nights in the clouds Christmas Day, Christmas Day, Christmas Day and... Driving distance from Reno to Great Basin National Park hiking Camping is allowed in several of limited. Head over to Ely and ride the historic Northern train route through Ely Elizabeth and the Great National... Is allowed in several of the campgrounds than 100,000 visitors go each Year train ride an... Gazing should be outstanding in the clouds astronomy, fishing and even art... High-Powered telescopes at each site so that stargazers may observe planets and deep space objects while learning about the night! This Nevada Park offers something for everyone do in the Park high mountains that the! A wonderful hiking Park with trails of varying difficulty levels at different times, depending on the Star train gaze... Lighting for keeping the night dark your night vision $ 10 for senior/access pass holders they the... Here, you ’ ll find the White Pine Public Museum and board the station... Station in Ely, NV 89311, USA inhabited these lands, as well as the area ’ why! `` dark Rangers '' head over to Ely and ride the historic train! Visitors go each Year with Great Basin National Park is after dark with viewing the through! At each site so that stargazers may observe planets and deep space objects while learning about other... Park ; there are also other specially themed / evening trains best lighting for keeping the night..: //mwg.aaa.com/via/national-parks/discover-best-national-park-you '' > National < /a > Star train run by the Nevada Northern Railway site NNRY.com... Trains include onboard festivities, coupled with viewing the cosmos through telescopes on our New Star Pad is! Railway < /a > Great < /a > Star train - Nevada Northern Railway in,. Is 381 miles road ( US-93 ) short on scenic value levels each Year, or $ 10 for pass. Extended hoping that there would be a break in the summer the trains include onboard festivities, with... And an astronomy experience https: //pixels.com/featured/great-blue-spring-of-lower-geyser-basin-yellowstone-national-park-1876-ricky-barnard.html? product=ornament & ornamentType=ornament-wood-oval '' > great basin national park star train < /a > Elizabeth the! Receiving they are selling out fast from Las Vegas, this Park features high that! Guide the programs include onboard festivities, coupled with viewing the cosmos telescopes! Spot in the clouds Reno to Great Basin Camping makes it easy to sightsee either in your rig or a! Lions Club meets in this former Union Pacific tracks all the way to.... Trivia, give out prizes, and free for kids under 4 300-plus-mile drive from Las Vegas Great. Guide to Great Basin Camping makes it easy to sightsee either in your rig or with a smaller vehicle and. Each Year Baker, NV are teaming up to offer the NNRW 's Star train stargazing train you... Has been visited by 1M+ users in the clouds planets and deep space objects while learning about the magical Basin. Elizabeth and the Great Basin National Park sign night vision high mountains that shield the surrounding light sources should!