Pinnacles National Park
California Est. 2013

Pinnacles National Park

Volcanic Cave Mountains
Plan a visit Check conditions
Established
2013
Size
26,606 acres
Visitors / yr
200K
Entrance
$30
Best season
February through May
Nearest airport
SJC San Jose Mineta International
Caution: Heat Alert - Temperatures May Be Higher Than Forecast +3 more Wildfire Tracker
01

Why Pinnacles is worth the trip

California · Established 2013

Pinnacles is a geological runaway. Its rock spires are the remains of a volcano that erupted about 195 miles to the southeast, then got sliced by the San Andreas Fault and carried north over 23 million years. The fault still runs just east of the park, quietly moving the evidence.

It is also one of the surest places in America to see a California condor. The park is a release site for the recovery program that rebuilt the species from a low of 27 birds, and the giants, wingspans pushing nine and a half feet, ride thermals over the High Peaks most mornings. Hike the High Peaks loop early, bring a headlamp for the talus caves at Bear Gulch, and come in spring when wildflowers carpet the chaparral. Summer afternoons here are for lizards.

Start with our full Pinnacles guide, then use the planning below.

02

Top things to do in Pinnacles

Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around. Read the full guide.

Pinnacles National Park
Start here

10 Things to Do at Pinnacles National Park

Read the guide
01 Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park Junior Ranger Program · nps.gov Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park junior ranger programs 02 Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail Hiking · nps.gov Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes 03 Hike Bench Trail to Balconies Cave Trail Hiking · nps.gov Hike Bench Trail to Balconies Cave Trail East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Cave Hike 04 Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail Hiking · nps.gov Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes
Before you go

Get the Pinnacles heads-up

Permit windows, closures and seasonal alerts, plus our best Pinnacles guides, in your inbox before you go. Free, no spam.

03

Plan your trip

Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Pinnacles.

Things to Do Fun Facts

Where to stay

Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.

  • Soledad, CAGateway town
  • Hollister, CAGateway town
  • King City, CAGateway town
  • Pinnacles Campground 134 sites · Reserve
Compare stays near Pinnacles

Maps & guides

Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.

Pinnacles Trails Illustrated map
Waterproof National Geographic topo of the park.
View on Amazon
Pinnacles field guide
Trail-by-trail detail and planning help in print.
View on Amazon
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass

What to bring

Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.

  • Day Hiking Pack
    A 22-30L pack fits water, layers, snacks, and a first aid kit. View on REI
  • Trail Shoes
    Lightweight with good traction for maintained trails. View on REI
  • Water Bottles
    Carry at least 2 liters. More in desert heat. View on REI
  • Merino Hiking Socks
    Prevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable for miles. View on REI

Getting there

  • SJC San Jose Mineta International 80 mi
  • MRY Monterey Regional 55 mi
NPS Official Page Reservations Google Maps

Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.

Pinnacles map

VC Visitor Center CG Campground Nearby Park
04

When to go

Loading weather...

Month-by-Month Conditions

Tap any month for details

Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan
63°
34°
Moderate
Open
Feb Best
64°
36°
Moderate
Open
Mar Best
68°
38°
Heavy
Open
Apr Best
72°
39°
Heavy
Open
May Best
80°
43°
Heavy
Open
Jun
89°
47°
Moderate
Open
Jul
96°
50°
Moderate
Open
Aug
96°
50°
Moderate
Open
Sep
92°
48°
Light
Open
Oct
82°
43°
Moderate
Open
Nov
70°
37°
Moderate
Open
Dec
62°
33°
Moderate
Open
Best months to visit Crowd level (low to peak)
05

More Pinnacles guides

06

Parks near Pinnacles

Within reach if you are building a longer trip.

Yosemite National Park
California

Yosemite

131 miles away
Sequoia National Park
California

Sequoia

145 miles away
Kings Canyon National Park
California

Kings Canyon

148 miles away
Channel Islands National Park
California

Channel Islands

190 miles away

Worth protecting

Pinnacles belongs to all of us

Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.

See what's at stake Join the fight for California

Threatened Lands Map

Follow what's happening on federal lands across the country with our interactive map.

View the Tracker
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