- ParkMark

Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.

Seasonal Closures In Effect

Seasonal closures are in effect to protect nesting birds of prey on cliffs and rock formations in the park. Please refer to closure lists in park brochures and on the raptor advisory page for more information.

High Crowds & Park Capacity

High visitation may require limiting access to Bear Gulch and other parking areas in the park. If all parking lots reach capacity, incoming traffic will not pass the campground until space is available. This occurs most often between 8a and 3p on weekends

Title	Pinnacles
Park Code	pinn
Description	Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky spires and deep canyons. Visitors can explore di...
Location	lat:36.49029208, long:-121.1813607 States: CA Forecast
Contact	831-389-4486, 831-389-4288 pinn_visitor_information@nps.gov
Activities	Astronomy Stargazing Biking Road Biking Camping Car or Front Country Camping Group Camping RV Camping Caving Climbing Rock Climbing Food Picnicking Hands-On Citizen Science Volunteer Vacation Hiking Backcountry Hiking Front-Country Hiking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Entrance fees	Entrance - Private Vehicle $30.00 This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single vehicle to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance. Entrance - Motorcycle $25.00 This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling on a motorcycle, scooter, or similar motorized vehicle to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance. Entrance - Per Person $15.00 This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. It is valid for 1-7 days to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups $15.00 Non-commercial groups traveling in vehicles that have a capacity of 16 passengers or more pay $15 per person up to the maximums listed for commercial groups with comparable passenger capacity ($40 or $100). People 15 years old or younger, anyone with a pass that may be used for park entry, and drivers hired for transportation only are exempt from the per person fee. Commercial Entrance - Sedan $30.00 The charge for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $30. This entrance fee is for commercial tours of one or more people traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price. Commercial Entrance - Van $40.00 This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-15 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational puposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price. Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus $40.00 This entrance fee is for commercial trous of vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the sevice. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price. Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach $100.00 This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or more people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price. Entrance - Education/Academic Groups $0.00 School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.
Campgrounds	Count: 1 Pinnacles Campground Tent and RV sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, and group sites can be reserved up to 12 months in advance. To reserve a site please call the National Recreation Reservation Service at (877) 444-6777 or make reservations through Recreation.gov. For more information, please call the Pinnacles Campground Store at (831) 200-1722 or visit their website at visitpinnacles.com The campground is nestled in a rolling landscape adorned with shady Valley Oak, Blue Oak, Coast Live Oak trees. A gentle, seasonal creek meanders through the grounds. Deer, quail, and wild turkeys roam the area, and California Condors can be observed from a ridgeline above.
Places	Count: 14 Bear Gulch Day Use Area East Side, Day Use Area, parking This is a parking lot situated between a couple of steep hills. There is sparse vegetation surrounding the parking lot. Condors frequently soar above the towering rock formations seen from the parking area. Bear Gulch Reservoir One of Pinnacle's most iconic sights, the dam creating Bear Gulch Reservoir was completed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Created for its aesthetic value, the reservoir is still a highlight for visitors, surrounded by Pinnacle's rock formations. The reservoir is home to the red legged frog, a threatened species in California. Standing in from of the reservoir, you see the small body of water about 100 feet wide and extending back, out of sight, for about 1000 feet. The water is surrounded on both sides by cliffs, rocks, and rock spires. Walk over the cement and stone dam to your left to sit on some rocks for lunch. The reservoir is dark in color but on a sunny day, the reflection of the rocks can be seen in the water. Snakes, frogs, birds, and countless insects call this reservoir home. Chaparral Parking Area West Side, Parking Area Jawbone Parking Area West Side, Parking Area This west side gravel parking area can accomodate roughly 30 vehicles. It is situated near chaparral covered hillsides and grey pine trees. Manzanita Parking Area East Side, parking area This parking lot has ten parking spaces situated on the shoulder of the main road into the east side of the park surrounded by chaparral covered hills Moses Spring This is a rock face that has a spot, at about knee height that has water flowing from the hole in the rock. Moses Spring Parking Area East Side, parking Small paved parking area surrounded by oak tress located next to trailhead that gradually ascends up the side of a shaded hillside Old Pinnacles Parking Area East Side, parking Gravel parking area situated near a creek that runs seasonally and a hillside blanketed with shrubs, blue oak, and grey pine trees. Overflow Parking East Side, Day Use Area, parking Large gravel parking area as well as a Day Use Area located in the campground behind the campground pool. Picnic tables, eleveated fire grills, and trash/recycling receptacles are scattered underneath large Valley Oak. Peaks View Parking Area East Side, Day Use Area, parking Peaks View is a paved parking area next to a seasonal stream that is surrounded by rolling chaparral covered hills. Pinnacles Amphitheater East Side, Campground Nestled in a canyon next to a seasonal stream in a campground adorned with various types of oak trees, walk down several steps leading to four rows of 6-9 benches centered in front of a wooden white board used for projector use during evening programs and a fire ring off to the side. Pinnacles East Entrance Station Pinnacles West Entrance Station West Visitor Contact Station Parking West Side, Parking Area This parking area is the first upon entering the west side of the park. It is located next to the West Visitor Contact Station and can accomodate 40 vehicles, 2 of which are designated for ADA parking. It is centered between rolling chaparral covered hillsides.
Visitor Centers	Count: 3 Bear Gulch Nature Center Bear Gulch Nature Center Hey ranger, what plant is this? Hey ranger, what do condors look like? Ask questions, get information and view our park film inside the Bear Gulch Nature Center. Pinnacles Park Store Pinnacles Park Store Get your passport stamped and buy the official park souvenirs, all at the park store! Located in the Pinnacles campground, the store is open everyday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, including holidays. This fully stocked park store is operated by a private, non-profit organization called Western National Parks Association (WNPA). The park store carries a large variety of books, games, and souvenirs to help you learn more about the park and its resources. West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station Get your park souvenirs and plan your visit all in one place! Please note that this visitor center may be closed seasonally due to low staff.
Things to do	Count: 24 Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes Hike Bench Trail to Balconies Cave Trail East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Cave Hike Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes Hike Moses Spring Trail to Rim Trail Loop East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Loop Hike, Cave Hike Hike Jawbone Trail West Side Trails, Moderate Hikes Hike High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop West Side Trails, Stenuous Hikes, Loop Hike Hike Bacon-Butterfield Ranch Trail East Side Trails, Easy Hikes, Bicycle and pet friendly Biking in Pinnacles National Park biking, road biking Birdwatching in Pinnacles National Park birds, birdwatching Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park junior ranger programs Night Sky Viewing At Pinnacles National Park night sky, stargazing Rock Climbing the West Side of Pinnacles National Park rock climbing Rock Climbing the East Side of Pinnacles National Park rock climbing Wildlife viewing in Pinnacles National Park wildlife, wildlife viewing Hike Juniper Canyon Trail Loop West Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop Hike Hike Prewett Point Trail West Side Trails, Easy Hikes, Accessible Trail Hike Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Cave Hike Hike North Wilderness Trail Loop West Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop Hike Hike Condor Gulch Trail East Side Trails, Moderate Hike to Viewpoint, Strenuous Hikes Hike Chalone Peak Trail East Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Highest Peak Hike High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop East Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop Hike Hike Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop East Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop Hike Hike Balconies Cliffs Trail to Balconies Cave Trail Loop West Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Loop Hike, Cave Hike Picnicking in Pinnacles National Park East and West side, picnic areas
Tours	Count: 0
Articles	Friends, Enemies, Neither? Making Sense of Baffling Falcon Behavior at Pinnacles National Park Vital Signs & Climate Change: Tracking the Pulse of San Francisco Bay Area National Park Ecosystems into an Uncertain Climate Future The Seed Collectors: Harnessing the Power of Native Seeds for a Resilient Future 20 Falcon Fledglings Take Flight at Pinnacles in 2024, Despite Challenges Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System 2024 a Banner Year for Condors Nesting in Central California NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Pinnacles National Monument, California The Elizabeth Bacon Family House “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation How Climbing Community Connections Strengthen Falcon Conservation at Pinnacles National Park Could You Take the Heat? Falcon Monitoring at Pinnacles National Park  2022 a Second Amazing Year in a Row for Nesting Falcons at Pinnacles National Park Botany News – Winter 2022-2023 New Research Tests a Common Assumption about Protecting Birds Early 2022 Raptor Breeding Season Stars at Pinnacles Include Falcons and Long-eared Owls Surprise Tule Elk Sighting in Pinnacles National Park 50 Nifty Finds #24: Fire Away! Women in Landscape-Scale Conservation: Denise Louie 50 Nifty Finds #18: Portable Posters World CA Condor Update – 2022 Population Status World CA Condor Update – 2021 Population Status Ranger Roll Call, 1940-1949 Pinnacles Builds on Earlier Bee Studies with New Surveys in 2020-2021 Volcanic Processes—Lahars Trials, Trails, and Tribulations of a Biological Plant Field Technician: Perspectives on Poison Oak What Are Transects, and Why Are They Important for Monitoring Natural Resources? San Francisco Bay Area Network 2019 Long-term Monitoring Updates 2021 a Fantastic Year for Falcons at Pinnacles National Park Pinnacles National Park Biologist Shares Non-lead Ammunition Expertise with Olympic National Park Volunteers World CA Condor Update – 2020 2021 Falcon Nesting Season Underway at Pinnacles National Park Acoustic Bat Monitoring Starts Yielding Results at Pinnacles National Park Coast Live Oak Woodland Biodiversity Hotspot Under Threat by Sudden Oak Death Top 10 Summer Visitation Tips Soon Condors Will Soar Over Redwoods Here's How Monitoring Helps San Francisco Bay Area Parks Understand the Effects of Climate Change Piu-uina Pyroclastic Flows and Ignimbrites, and Pyroclastic Surges Climate Corner: What do Heavy Autumn Rains Mean for California’s Drought Status? World CA Condor Update – 2019 World CA Condor Update - 2016 Population Status World CA Condor Update - 2017 World CA Condor Update - 2018 2020 Falcon Monitoring Season Begins SW CA Condor Update - 2009-11 (November) SW CA Condor Update - 2010-03 (March) SW CA Condor Update - 2010-05 (May) SW CA Condor Update - 2010-10 (October) SW CA Condor Update - 2010-12 (December) SW CA Condor Update - 2011-01 (January)