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Pinnacles National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: California

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

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 diverse environments, from chaparral and oak woodlands to the cool, shaded depths of canyon floors.

🌤 Weather Information

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.

🚗 Directions

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. 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.

Images

Boulders in the Balconies Cave.

Balconies Cliffs as seen from the inside of the Balconies Caves

Credit: National Park Service/Oscar Garcia

Light falling on tree

Light illuminates a tree on a rainy day, seen from the Resurrection Wall.

Credit: National Park Service/Oscar Garcia

A Tarantula walking

A Tarantula crawls in the wild.

Credit: National Park Service/Oscar Garcia

A massive rock spire with California condors flying above the peak.

The best views of Pinnacles' rocks can be enjoyed from the west side with almost no effort required.

Credit: NPS Photo/ Katherine Fielding

Rock formations appear behind a grassy hillside covered with oak trees and purple and yellow flowers

Native grasses and wildflowers cover hillsides in spring

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single vehicle to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.
$30.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
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.
$25.00
Entrance - Per Person
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.
$15.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
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.
$15.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
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.
$30.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
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.
$40.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
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.
$40.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
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.
$100.00
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.
$0.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
This pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. It covers the entrance fee to Pinnacles National Park for the pass signee and accompanying passengers entering in a single, non-commercial vehicle. Pinnacles Annual Passes are available at park entrance stations.
$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday, Jun 10

Sunny

Sunny

High: 86.4°F | Low: 57°F

Humidity: 34%

Wind: 10.1 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 10.6

Sunrise: 05:45 AM

Sunset: 08:22 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (15%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 58.8°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Jun 11

Sunny

Sunny

High: 93.1°F | Low: 71.9°F

Humidity: 25%

Wind: 9.2 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 10.7

Sunrise: 05:45 AM

Sunset: 08:22 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (8%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 65.8°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Jun 12

Sunny

Sunny

High: 92.9°F | Low: 69.6°F

Humidity: 30%

Wind: 11.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 10.9

Sunrise: 05:45 AM

Sunset: 08:23 PM

Moon: New Moon (3%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 65.3°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

No Shuttle Service Information
Shuttle Service has concluded for the season. Please plan accordingly and expect longer wait times. We appreciate your patience.
Hot Conditions Caution
Limit strenuous hiking to early morning and late evening hours. Drink plenty of water and carry extra. 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.

More Info

Bear Gulch Cave Closed Park Closure
Due to maternal bat colonies present in Bear Gulch Cave, and in line with the expected seasonal closure scheduling, the Bear Gulch Caves are currently closed. The Balconies Cave remains open, and accessible from the Balconies or Old Pinnacles trails.

More Info

Heavy Traffic and High Visitation Alert Information
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.

More Info

Hazardous Conditions exist in caves Danger
Hazardous conditions exist in caves due to high water rain events. When encountering flowing water anywhere in the park use extreme caution. Conditions can change rapidly. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. Turn Around Don't DrownÂŽ. The park will update this alert when conditions change.
Potentially Deadly Poisoning Linked to the Consumption of Wild Mushrooms Danger
An outbreak of serious illness associated with eating foraged wild mushrooms has been reported. CDPH is urging individuals to avoid foraging for and eating wild mushrooms while risk of amatoxin poisoning is high.

More Info

Potential for Rock Slides and Downed Trees Caution
Heavy rain in the area may result in rock slides or downed trees on roads and trails. Use caution when driving and hiking.
Tunnel Trail Closed For Downed Tree Danger
The Tunnel Trail is closed following a tree fall that blocks passage. The trail will remain closed until further notice. Failure to adhere to closure may result in serious injury or death.

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
5000 East Entrance Road
Paicines, CA 95043

🏤 Mailing Address:
5000 East Entrance Road
Paicines, CA 95043

📞 Voice Phone: 8313894486

📞 Fax Phone: 8313894288

✉️ Email: pinn_visitor_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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