Hike to Baker Lake

Hiking to Baker Lake rewards you with great views of one of the largest lake on the park.

C. Reed

Trail Overview

Total Distance: 10.4 miles / 16.8 kilometers
Elevation Gain: 2,610 feet / 795 meters
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time: 5 hours - 10 hours
Begin at: Baker Creek Trailhead

A challenging day hike to Baker Lake rewards visitors with the sight of Baker Lake which few have seen. One of the largest lakes in the park and neastled in a glacial cirque, bristlecone pines dot these mountains and reward the inquisitive and attentive travellers. While making for a challenging day hike, Baker Lake is fairly easy by backpacking standards if done as an overnight trip, but come prepared. Snow often lingers throughout the year on this beautiful lake's rocky banks. 

This hike starts at the Baker Creek Trailhead at the end of Baker Creek Road. Parking outside of designated spaces or along the road is prohibited.

No pets permitted on park trails. Trained service animals allowed. Learn more about service animal regulations at this link.

Water

Potable water is not available along Baker Creek Road. Pack sufficient water with you, about one gallon per person per day. Water is available year-round at the nearby Lehman Caves Visitor Center or seasonally at the dump station.

Restrooms

The nearest restrooms are pit toilets with no running water at the Baker Creek Trailhead.

Details

Duration

5-10 Hours

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Baker Creek Trailhead

Reservations

Yes

Backcountry Permits are required for any overnight stay along the Baker/Johnson Creek Loop. Permits are available for free at both the Lehman Caves Visitor Center and the Great Basin Visitor Center.

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Any Time

Accessibility Information

This hike is not accessible due to rocky terrain.

Baker Lake Trail highlighted in orange

NPS

Trail Map

Find the Baker Lake Trail on the trail map emerging from the end of Baker Creek Road. Baker Creek Road's entrance is located off Highway 488 leading to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. The road is gravel and can close intermittently in the winter and spring.

Ranger Tip: Baker Lake is currently a site with heavy efforts put towards restoration of the endemic Bonneville Cutthroat Trout(BCT). Over several years the lake was treated so the invasive trout stocked by the Forest Service in the years before Great Basin was a park would no longer threaten a BCT population. You may be lucky enough to see park biologists packing in fish by pack animals to restore the population to historic levels.