The National Park Service issued a prospectus on December 1 seeking proposals for operation of a combination restaurant/gift shop in the Lehman Caves Visitor Center in Great Basin National Park.
The facility’s location is advantageous to the concessionaire as most visitors stop here to begin cave tours or gather park information. The concession is the only commercial facility within the park. The 10-year contract is to become effective March 1, 2027.
Great Basin National Park is in eastern Nevada just off U.S. 50 (referred to as “The Loneliest Road in America”) near the state’s border with Utah. The park was initially designated a national monument in 1922 and upgraded to national-park status in 1986 after undergoing an expansion that now includes 13,000-foot Wheeler Peak.
The 77,000-acre park offers protection for three groves of bristlecone pine trees, some thought to be over 5,000 years old. Park visitation during each of the last four years has ranged between 142,000 to 152,000. Approximately two-thirds occur from June through September. The national park is home to 5 developed campgrounds but includes no modern overnight lodging facility.
For a more detailed description of the park, check a previous Traveler story on the park in the middle of nowhwere.
The NPS contract requires retail and food and beverage service be offered from early April through October 1, although the operator has the option of extending the season two weeks on either side of the required period. The National Park Service will also authorize the sale of groceries, alcoholic beverages, convenience merchandise, recreational equipment, and movie rentals.
The operator is also permitted to offer wireless internet service and install vending machines.
Reported revenues from the operation have ranged from $372,356 in 2022 to $300,256 in 2024. The Park Service estimates 2027 revenues will rise to between $342,000 and $378,000.
The National Park Service estimates an initial investment of $233,000 will be required of the operator. Most of this consists of the acquisition of personal property including furniture and equipment. Other expenses include inventory, working capital and initial expenses for hiring and training staff. This is a modest amount compared to many national park commercial operations.
The operator will be required to pay a minimum franchise fee (basically, a rental fee for use of national park property) of 1.75% of annual gross receipts. Bidders may offer a higher franchise fee in their proposal in order to improve their chances of winning the contract. The existing concessionaire is considered a Preferred Offeror, meaning it has the right to match the terms and conditions of the best proposal. This can be a major disadvantage to individuals interested in submitting a bid.
Important dates for interested parties are:
January 14, 2026 – Last date for NPS receipt of questions.
February 25, 2026 – Last date for NPS receiving a Notice of Intent to Propose.
March 25, 2026 – Last date for receiving formal proposals
(All dates refer to 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time.)
For more detailed information about the NPS proposal visit this page.
David and Kay Scott live in Valdosta, Georgia, and are authors of “Exploring the Oregon Trail” (The Globe Pequot Press). Visit them at blog.valdosta.edu/dlscott
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