Lehman Orchard

Lehman Orchard is a historic fruit orchard just below the lower parking lot at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. It is a stop on the Mountain View Nature Trail, with a boardwalk, viewing platform, bench and interpretive signs. The NPS lists the boardwalk as an accessible overlook. It fits naturally into a visit to the cave area rather than needing a separate outing. Old trees behind the split-rail fence make a distinctive photo frame.

Absalom Lehman likely planted the orchard in the 1890s after settling near the caves and promoting them as a tourist attraction. He built an aqueduct carrying water from Lehman Creek and nearby springs. The fruit fed local households and helped support his family. The orchard once covered more than seven acres and grew apricot, pear, peach and apple trees. The orchard and aqueduct were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 for their role as a food source and as evidence of late-19th- and early-20th-century farming and ranching in eastern Nevada.

Only 18 trees remained by 1940. In a 2022 restoration, the NPS planted 22 new apricot, peach and apple trees alongside 15 established trees; those are dated counts, not a current inventory. Genetic testing matched one historic apricot to Moorpark, a variety the NPS traces to trees brought from China to England in the 1600s.

From Baker, follow NV-488 for 5.5 miles to the visitor center. The orchard sits below its lower lot. Public restrooms, a water spigot and Great Basin Cafe are at the neighboring visitor center, not in the orchard; a stable cafe menu was not found. The NPS says fruit may be picked here for personal, non-commercial use when available.