The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky spires and deep canyons. Visitors can explore diverse environments, from chaparral and oak woodlands to the cool, shaded depths of canyon floors.
Photo: National Park Service/Oscar Garcia
Pinnacles National Park
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park.
- LocationPaicines, CA
- Entrance $30 private vehicle
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now83°F Sunny
- Alerts 4 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Ancient Seas
- Animals
- Aquifers
- Archeology
- Architecture and Building
- Astronomy
- Birds
- Bridges
72 more topics
- Canyons and Canyonlands
- Catastrophic Fires
- Cats (wild)
- Caves, Caverns and Karst
- Climate Change
- Cold War
- Colonization and Settlement
- Coniferous Forests
- Conservation Movement
- Dams
- Deciduous Forests
- Endangered
- Engineering
- Enslavement
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Farming and Agriculture
- Fire
- Fish
- Floods
- Foothills, Plains and Valleys
- Forests and Woodlands
- Fossils and Paleontology
- Freshwater Springs
- Geology
- Grasslands
- Great Depression
- Groundwater
- Headwaters
- Hispanic American Heritage
- Homesteading
- Immigration
- Industry
- Latino American Heritage
- Meadows
- Migrations
- Military
- Mineral Deposits
- Mining
- Missions
- Mountains
- Native American Heritage
- Natural Sounds
- Night Sky
- Presidents
- Ranches
- Rare
- Religion and Spirituality
- River and Riparian
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Rock Landscapes and Features
- Scenic Views
- Schools and Education
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Social Movements
- Spanish-American War
- The Gold Rush
- Thickets and Shrublands
- Tortoises and Turtles
- Tragic Events
- Trails
- Transportation
- Tunnels
- Unique Species
- US Army
- Volcanoes
- Wars and Conflicts
- Waterfalls
- Watersheds
- Westward Expansion
- Wetlands
- Wilderness
- Wolves
Alerts (4)
CautionHeat Alert - Temperatures May Be Higher Than Forecast Actual temperatures in the park may be up to 6℉ (3 ℃) higher than forecasts provided by the National Weather Service (NW… Read more
Actual temperatures in the park may be up to 6℉ (3 ℃) higher than forecasts provided by the National Weather Service (NWS). Temperatures in rocky, exposed areas may be up to 10℉ (6 ℃) hotter than the actual temperature. Please plan accordingly, stay hydrated, limit strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, and be prepared for extreme heat conditions.
CautionFire Danger VERY HIGH Wood-burning fires and charcoal grills are prohibited. Propane and gas stoves allowed only in campground and picnic area… Read more
Wood-burning fires and charcoal grills are prohibited. Propane and gas stoves allowed only in campground and picnic areas for cooking food. No smoking on trail. No roadside parking. Fireworks are always prohibited.
CautionHot Conditions Limit strenuous hiking to early morning and late evening hours. Expect temperatures in the High Peaks and Chalone Peak t… Read more
Limit strenuous hiking to early morning and late evening hours. Expect temperatures in the High Peaks and Chalone Peak to be at least 10 degrees hotter than parking areas. Drink plenty of water and carry at least one liter of water for each hour of hiking. Bring salty snacks, a hat, and sunscreen for the hike. Know the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses. In case of a heat related emergency get to a cool place and seek help immediately.
InformationHeavy Traffic and High Visitation Alert Pinnacles experiences extremely high visitation on weekends, holidays, and during favorable weather, especially in the s… Read more
Pinnacles experiences extremely high visitation on weekends, holidays, and during favorable weather, especially in the spring. Expect long lines and delays between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. If you're planning to hike the High Peaks, Condor Gulch, Balconies, or Moses Spring Trail, it’s recommended to arrive before 8:00 am (parking may fill earlier). Additionally, campground access may be temporarily delayed during peak periods of visitation when ALL incoming traffic is held.
Things to Do
26 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Camping
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
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Pinnacles Campground
Reservable Campground
Pinnacles Campground is located in the unique Pinnacles National Park, 32 miles south of Hollister, California. The park encompasses 26,000 acres of spectacular rock…
Reserve on Recreation.gov- Hiking
- Climbing
- Day Use Area
- Interpretive Programs
Details
Overview
Pinnacles Campground is located in the unique Pinnacles National Park, 32 miles south of Hollister, California.
The park encompasses 26,000 acres of spectacular rock formations and remnants of an extinct 23 million-year old volcano.
Hiking and rock climbing are very popular activities in Pinnacles, as is watching for the majestic California condor overhead. Pinnacles National Park is a nesting place for the endangered soaring bird, the largest in North America.Recreation
Pinnacles National Park has more than 30 miles of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Many trails intersect, allowing for a short loop or a longer all-day hike. Popular destinations include Bear Gulch Reservoir, High Peaks and the Balconies area. The Bench Trail provides direct access to the park from the campground.
Visitors enjoy exploring Balconies Cave and Bear Gulch Cave, which houses a large colony of Townsend's big-eared bats. Bring a flashlight!
Rock climbers flock to Pinnacles for the variety of climbing routes that range from easy top-ropes to the multi-pitch climbs along Machete Ridge.Facilities
Pinnacles Campground is located on the eastern side of the park and is open year-round. It offers family and group tent sites, as well as RV sites with electric hookups. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Showers are available. A general store with basic foods and camping supplies is located on-site. A swimming pool is located within the campground and is open from April through September.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a rolling landscape dotted with shady Valley Oak, Blue Oak and Coast Live Oak trees. A gentle, seasonal creek runs through the grounds.
Springtime finds Pinnacles bursting with a wide variety of vivid wildflowers that line every trail and fill entire meadows with color.
Deer and wild turkeys roam the area, and condors can be viewed from within the campground. The park ranges in elevation from 824 feet along South Chalone Creek to 3,304 feet atop North Chalone Peak.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Centers
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Bear Gulch Nature Center
Visitor 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. Please…
Details
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. Please note that this visitor center may be closed seasonally due to available staffing. -
West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station
Visitor Center
Get your park souvenirs and plan your visit all in one place! Please note that this visitor center may be closed seasonally due to available staffing.
HWY 146, Soledad, CA (831) 389-4427 Directions
Details
Get your park souvenirs and plan your visit all in one place! Please note that this visitor center may be closed seasonally due to available staffing.
Other Visitor Services
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Pinnacles Park Store
Facility
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…
2400 Highway 146, Paicines, CA Directions
Details
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.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · East Side Entrance
Hours by area (2)
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East Side EntranceOpen 24 hours, daily
Entrance to the east side of Pinnacles National Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays.
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West Side EntranceDaily, 7:30AM - 8:00PM
The west entrance to the park offers access to trails such as Prewett Point, Balconies, and Juniper Canyon. Note: this one-lane road is narrow and winding. Oversize vehicles should enter the park on the east side.
Monday 7:30AM - 8:00PM Tuesday 7:30AM - 8:00PM Wednesday 7:30AM - 8:00PM Thursday 7:30AM - 8:00PM Friday 7:30AM - 8:00PM Saturday 7:30AM - 8:00PM Sunday 7:30AM - 8:00PM
Entrance fees
- $30Private Vehicle
- $25Motorcycle
- $15Per Person
All 9 fees & details
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Private Vehicle$30
This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle up to 15 passengers to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.
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Motorcycle$25
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles, scooters, or similar motorized vehicles with up to 4 total passengers to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.
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Per Person$15
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.
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Non-commercial Groups$15
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.
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Commercial Entrance - Sedan$30
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.
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Commercial Entrance - Van$40
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.
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Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$40
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.
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Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100
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.
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Education/Academic GroupsFree
School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.
Passes
- $55Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
- Annual Entrance - Park
The Pinnacles Annual Pass is available to U.S citizens and residents only. It is valid only at Pinnacles and may be purchased online or in person. It is valid for 12 months from purchase month. This pass admits up to two motorcycles (including passengers), or up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle to Pinnacles National Park.
Weather
83°F
Sunny · feels like 79°
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Today
87° 64°
Sunny1% rain
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Tomorrow
91° 69°
Overcast5% rain -
Saturday
97° 69°
Sunny1% rain
Updated 4 hr ago
What to expect by season
Pinnacles National Park has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, and mild winters with moderate precipitation. The park is several miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. A wider variation in seasonal temperatures can be expected in the local area. Summers are hot with temperatures above 100 degrees. Winters are cooler with highs in the 60s. Big swings in temperature occur between day and night, year round.
Contact the park
Upcoming Events
2 coming up-
Prewett Point Guided Hike
About
Join a ranger on a hike and learn some of Pinnacles' fascinating resources that are protected in the park.
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Ranger's Choice
About
Learn about Pinnacles' amazing resources with a ranger as they discuss topics varying from wildlife to geology, to history.
Photos
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The best views of Pinnacles' rocks can be enjoyed from the west side with almost no effort required. — NPS Photo/ Katherine Fielding -
Getting There
Paicines, CA 95043
Pinnacles National Park is accessible through highway 101 for the West entrance, and highway 25 for the East entrance. From highway 101 you must pass through the City of Soledad to find highway 146 which will lead to West side of Pinnacles.
Full directions
To enter East Pinnacles you must find highway 25 through the City of Hollister coming from the North, and King City through Bitter Water Road (G-13) when coming from the South. NOTE: There is no through road between the east and west entrance.
Mailing address: 5000 East Entrance Road, Paicines, CA 95043
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