When it comes to adventurous getaways, camping always holds a special place for embracing nature and enjoying the surroundings in an intimate way. The fresh air, the evening breeze accompanying dinner, the infinite stars overhead, it all makes the camping experience something special. That being said, as much as I love camping, to be honest, planning dinner to accommodate daylight and bugs, and waking up at 3 a.m. to walk across the campground in the cold to use the bathroom isn't always the picture of relaxation.
Sometimes, after a day of adventures you just crave a pre-made bed, a hot shower, and an established hotel to serve as your basecamp for a nice addition to a trip.
Enter The Stargazer Inn and Bristlecone General Store: a haven for adventurers who still crave exploration of Baker, Nevada and the nearby Great Basin National Park, but with the added bonus of a proper bed.
The Bristlecone General Store, a quaint haven that doubles as the Stargazer Inn's lobby, captivated us on our previous visit to Great Basin. So, for our recent trip to Great Basin National Park, we were excited to snag a night's stay at the popular Inn and all I can say is I’m hooked.
Stepping into this location is like stepping into a picture of small-town charm. The friendly staff and the simple accommodations were welcoming and everything we’d wanted for our adventurous journey. The true highlight however, was the courtyard and backyard spaces which allowed us to unwind with a happy hour or wake up to enjoy a leisurely breakfast – pure bliss for my small-town-craving soul.
After our initial visit, a bit of online research revealed the Inn's heartwarming story. We learned that the Inn and General Store are owned and operated by husband and wife Liz and James Woolsey, who, after retiring from his career with the National Park Service, moved to Baker and in 2022 opened the doors on the Stargazer. Learning about this couple and their love for exploring nature, discovering quaint local places and their desire to “open a business at a crossroads of outdoor recreation opportunities that would offer the most pertinent needs for daily living and adventures” instantly spoke to us. Here were two complete strangers, yet their mission resonated deeply.
Securing a room at this popular basecamp felt like a stroke of luck for our second Great Basin trip. (Our gratitude was unintentionally returned when Jason chose to help maintain the room by retightening loose towel hooks on the wall.)
The Inn’s website shares the Woolsey’s initial vision: to create a “hub of local information and community building; a place of comfort, coffee and conversation; a showcase for local artisans; and an oasis for travelers along their journeys.” And let me tell you, they achieved it.
Despite the remote location, the welcome you receive walking into the Bristlecone General Store instantly makes you feel like you are amongst friends. The store stocks fun local creations and provides all the extra accommodations we could need on our rural adventures plus a fridge of grab-and-go items and cold local brews that we have yet to find elsewhere on our travels, or even living in Las Vegas.
Upon entering our room, we were greeted with complementary Great Basin stickers and mini Kind bars - a small gesture that, for us, felt like a personalized gift and a warm welcome. The room itself was exactly what we expected: a clean bed, mini fridge, comfy couch, simple desk, and most importantly hot water for a much needed post-adventure clean-up.
The added bonus of the Inn is the backyard space, set up with all the accommodations of seating areas, corn hole and a unique invitation: a wooden propane cover decorated with the “word of the year” and a call to leave your own mark. We felt compelled to participate, adding our desire for more "hikes," more "memories," and a wish for more "PTO" to the ever-growing compilation of words for what people wanted “More” of for 2024.
Having enjoyed the ambiance and relaxing basecamp created by The Woolsey’s at their crossroads dream, there is no doubt we will be eagerly checking their availability once more when it comes time to book our next Great Basin adventure.
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