Two State Parks, Caves, and Alpine Scenery on the Road Back Home

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, located about 14 miles south of Ely, Nevada, is named after six 30-foot-tall beehive-shaped stone ovens. These ovens were used by miners to turn wood into charcoal more than 150 years ago.
The sturdy structures look nearly the same today as they did back then. Visitors are free to walk around and inside the ovens for photo opportunities that add a unique visual twist to any vacation. The ovens are near the main entrance, with parking conveniently located right next to them.
The park is also popular for hiking, spotting wildlife, and fishing for trout in Willow Creek.

Lehman Caves is a fascinating underground collection of stalactites and stalagmites. Here, visitors can take the relatively easy 60-minute Lodge Room Tour or the more strenuous 90-minute Grand Palace Tour, which covers four different sections within the caves.
Check the latest prices and be sure to sign up for a tour well in advance, as space is limited.
Please note that tour times vary seasonally, and children must be at least 5 years old to participate in the Grand Palace Tour. It's also advisable to bring a light jacket or wear long sleeves.

After your cave tour, head to the Great Basin Cafe inside the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. The small restaurant offers sandwiches, soups, and a variety of hot dogs (or corn dogs, if you prefer) with minimal wait times. Take your time, enjoy a quick bite, and prepare for the long drive back home.
Please note that their opening hours may vary seasonally, so it's recommended to call ahead to confirm they are open.

If you want to get familiar with Great Basin National Park in a hurry, take the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which begins at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center and passes the Lower Lehman Creek Campground, climbing an elevation of 4,000 feet in just 12 miles. You'll experience a “driving into the clouds” sensation as the landscapes dramatically shift around you, from low-lying sagebrush to towering alpine pine trees.
The campgrounds have water stations and restrooms, so feel free to pull over before the scenic drive gets underway.

Take your time and appreciate the scenery with a series of pullover stops. The Mather Overlook (dedicated to Stephen Mather, the first National Parks Service Director) offers sweeping 360-degree views after a brief walk on a short trail. The highlight is Wheeler Peak, the second-tallest mountain in Nevada.

The Bristlecone/Alpine Lakes Trailhead starts at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The initial trail is a relatively easy hike that offers visitors a rewarding glimpse of bristlecone pine trees up to 5,000 years old. Take your time to walk directly to Teresa Lake, enjoy the alpine scenery, and then head back to your car.
Enjoy a view of the only glacier in Nevada from the Wheeler Peak Scenic Overlook as you drive back to the park entrance. The glacier is most impressive in the spring after the winter snow begins to melt.

It's a long ride back home. Break up the monotony with a stop at Patterson Pass Campground. Get out, stretch your legs, and use the restrooms if needed.

For dinner, check out Side Track, a restaurant that makes everything from scratch, including pizzas, burgers, and soups. Make sure to leave some room for their delicious lemon cake; it's definitely the star of the show.