Thinking of exploring a new national park? Pinnacles National Park is a hidden gem that could make the perfect weekend escape in California. Named after the eroded remains of an ancient lava field, Pinnacles features over 26,000 acres of diverse wildlands, rocky outcrops and rolling hills of wildflowers.
You can find this beautiful park nestled in the remote Gabilan Range, located about two hours from San Francisco and about 80 miles southeast of San Jose. Established in 2013, Pinnacles is also one of the nation’s youngest national parks! Whether you explore its caves, stroll along its vast rolling hills or climb its rust-colored rocks, you will never be bored at Pinnacles National Park!
Is Pinnacles National Park Worth Visiting?
Pinnacles National Park may be one of the smallest in the United States, but it checks all the boxes for nature lovers! Millions of years ago, Pinnacles was part of an ancient volcano field that occurred nearly 200 miles southeast of the park’s current location. As the Pacific plate shifted over time and broke, the volcanic field now known as Pinnacles moved northward.
Its towering pinnacles and rock formations were formed over millions of years by wind, ice and rain erosion. Today, Pinnacles remains a mesmerizing volcanic wilderness filled with dramatic cliffs, caves and spires to explore. The park features:
- More than a dozen hiking trails spanning over 30 miles.
- Golden grasslands.
- Pine and oak woodlands.
- Chaparral forests.
- 3,000-foot peaks.
- Many varieties of wildflowers.
- More than 160 bird species.
- Rock formations and monoliths.
- Sheer-walled canyons.
- Rounded spires.
- Talus passages and caves.
- Colorful lichen.
Pinnacles is renowned for its dramatic beauty, diverse wildlife and variety of wildflowers. If you get the chance to visit, you will not be disappointed! You can experience almost everything Pinnacles has to offer in just one or two days — but a longer stay gives you the chance to really immerse yourself in the park.
Pinnacles National Park Attractions
Are you looking for a family-friendly adventure? A peaceful couple’s escape? Pinnacles National Park has numerous activities suitable for nearly all ages and abilities. Here are the top things to do in Pinnacles.
1. Hiking Trails
The No. 1 activity to add to your Pinnacles National Park itinerary is hiking! Pinnacles is home to many unique trails, caves and peaks where you can take in diverse scenery and wildlife. Here is a look at the most popular hiking routes.
Bear Gulch Cave Trail
The Bear Gulch Cave is perhaps the most popular spot in the entire park. This hike takes you through a stunning talus cave, where you will spot some Townsend’s big-eared bats! These beautiful creatures breed during spring and summer and hibernate in the winter.
When you climb up and out of the cave, you will arrive at the Bear Gulch Reservoir! If you plan to explore the Bear Gulch Trail or Balconies Cave, be sure to check for seasonal cave closures for bat habitat protection.
Moses Spring Trail
You will find a ton of wildlife when you hike the Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir. This moderately challenging hike features some inclines and uneven terrain, but the awe-inspiring view of the towering rock formations and lush trees is worth the effort!
Balconies Cave Trail
Closer to the west entrance lies the Balconies Cave. Similar to Bear Gulch Cave, this hike takes you up and over a talus cave and descends into the Old Pinnacles Trail, looping back through the cave. This hike is relatively flat and easy, though you may encounter some flooding during the winter.
High Peaks Trail
The 8.4-mile loop from High Peaks Trail to Balconies Cave takes you up over 1,500 feet in elevation and winds through rocky peaks and steep, narrow terrain. You can even see the fault line with part of the volcanic and sedimentary rock on this trail.
If you park in the Bear Gulch parking areas, you can combine the Bear Gulch Trail and the High Peaks Trail! You will get to climb through caves, towering rock spires, sparkling reservoirs and steep rock steps.
Old Pinnacles Trail Loop
This trail offers a moderate hiking experience and allows you to see many rock formations, including the Balconies Cliffs! The Old Pinnacles Trail Loop has a gradual incline, and you can see the towering rocks up close while walking through the narrow canyons.
Condor Gulch Trails
Beginners and experienced hikers enjoy this relatively gentle trail that leads to the Condor Gulch Overlook. Beyond the Overlook, the trail becomes more strenuous. The Condor Gulch Trail is just under 2 miles long and offers an unforgettable view of the Salinas Valley, the High Peaks and the Balconies Cliffs. This trail is perfect for a sunrise hike — you can encounter California Condors amid a beautiful golden glow.
Chalone Peak Trail
If you are interested in Pinnacles National Monument hiking, be sure to check out the 9-mile Chalone Peak Trail. You can climb to North Chalone Peak, the highest point in the monument, for magnificent views of the valleys.
2. Camping
If you plan on hitting more parks and attractions during your trip, consider booking a stay at Salinas / Monterey KOA. This Kampgrounds of America campground is about an hour from Pinnacles National Park and 25 minutes from Monterey, making it the perfect base camp for exploring central California.
Bring your RV as you travel along the coast, or stay in a Deluxe Cabin to enjoy the comforts of a hotel after a long day of hiking and sightseeing! Enjoy plenty of campground amenities like a year-round heated pool, picnic tables, delicious BBQ food and pet-friendly cottages.
3. Rock Climbing
Some of Pinnacle’s defining features are its steep canyons, caves and vertical rock faces. Rock climbing is allowed, but some routes are not recommended for inexperienced climbers. Some rocky areas may contain weak volcanic rock, so it is important that you are well-trained and equipped for some of these routes.
Fortunately, there are hundreds of routes throughout the park for varying abilities. You will find the rock climbing routes clearly marked on the hiking trails, indicating the difficulty level. If you have never rock climbed at Pinnacles National Park, be sure to read the safety advisory when planning a trip. You will also want to check out the raptor advisory page to keep clear of areas with nesting prairie and peregrine falcons.
4. Bird-Watching
There are more than 160 species of spectacular birds to see at Pinnacles. Along the many trails, cliffs and caves, you will see and hear a symphony of many unique birds year-round. The most notable is the California Condor, which can have a wingspan of up to 10 feet. Fun fact — they are the largest land bird in North America!
You can spot them by the way they stretch out their wings and soar, unlike most birds that continuously flap their wings to fly. The best place to see them is near the backside of High Peaks Trail, looking into Condor Gulch!
In addition to the majestic California Condors, keep an eye out for these other beautiful birds at Pinnacles:
- Turkey vultures
- Golden eagles
- Red-shouldered hawks
- Nuttall’s woodpeckers
- White-breasted nuthatches
- Blue-gray gnatcatchers
- Canyon wrens
- White-throated swifts
- Swallows
- Oak titmice
- California towhees
- California thrashers
- Yellow-billed magpies
- American kestrels
Other excellent bird-watching vantage points include the Balconies Cliff trail above the talus caves, Moses Spring trail and Bear Gulch Reservoir! You will also find observation opportunities at the Pinnacles Visitor’s Center in the oak and pine trees.
5. Wine Tasting
End your day of hiking and exploring with a relaxing experience at the Chalone Vineyard! You can find it right next to the park’s west entrance. This rugged, charming vineyard sits at the base of an extinct volcano and features a balcony and ground-level patio — perfect for sipping and taking in the stunning views of Pinnacles National Park and Salinas Valley.
This is one of the only wineries in the entire country that overlooks a national park! Winemaker Greg Freeman offers visitors four hand-picked Chalone Estate wines paired with local artisan cheeses that showcase the wonderful flavors of the Monterey Peninsula. Walk-ins are welcome for the wine selection flight, but reservations are required for the wine and cheese dynamic experience.
6. Stargazing
Like so many national parks, Pinnacles is an ideal spot for stargazing. Thanks to its remote location, there is little artificial light pollution, making it one of the best places to stargaze in central California! Once the sun goes down, you will be immersed in darkness, illuminated by countless visible stars.
Staring up at the stars is a great way to end the day and enjoy Pinnacles’ unique beauty. The east side of the park offers the best views of the stars at night, as its natural geography blankets the area in cozy darkness.
7. The Pinnacles Visitor Center
You will find the Pinnacles Visitor Center at the east side entrance of the park. Here, you can find helpful information about the park, including recommendations from the park rangers about which activities and hikes meet your group’s fitness levels and interests! Be sure to ask about the High Peaks Viewing Area, where you can look through a telescope for an overlook of Pinnacles.
If you are unsure what to do in Pinnacles National Park, it is a good idea to stop here and get updates on the trails and caves, as some may be closed during certain times of the year for wildlife protection or restoration projects.
The visitor center also has a store with camping supplies, books, snacks, maps and gifts. Take home a special souvenir by getting your National Park Passport stamped! Keep in mind that there is no cellphone service in the park, but you may purchase Wi-Fi at the store.
About 10 minutes from the visitor center is the Bear Gulch Nature Center, where you can learn more about the park. You can view exhibits and videos about Pinnacles and get advice from knowledgeable park rangers. There is also a Contact Station at the opposite end of the park where you can find resources and a smaller shop. The Prewett Point Trail is an accessible trail that starts nearby and offers stunning views of the High Peaks and Balconies Cliffs.
What to Know Before Visiting Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles is a perfect destination for escaping city life, offering solitude and idyllic views of diverse nature. However, it is important to remember some travel guide considerations to ensure a peaceful and safe experience!
1. Park Entrance
Pinnacles has two park entrances on the east and west sides. It is important to carefully plan which entrance you will choose because they are not connected by road. If you pick the wrong entrance, you will need to drive more than an hour to the correct one.
The east entrance is most popular because that is where most of the hiking trails begin, including Chalone Peak Trail, Bear Gulch Cave and High Peaks Trail. The west entrance is ideal if you plan on starting with the Balconies Cove or Jawbone Canyon Trail.
2. Entrance Fee
There is a $15 walk-in entry fee, a $25 motorcycle fee and a $30 private vehicle entry fee. You can also purchase a Pinnacles annual pass for $55 or use an America the Beautiful pass.
3. Extreme Temperatures
Always check the weather forecast before you set out for a long day of fun activities. If you plan to visit the park during the summer when it is hot, bring plenty of water, sunscreen, cooling fans and hats to protect you from the sun. Remember, there is no drinking water available on any of the hiking trails!
4. Wildlife Considerations
As with any of the nation’s national parks, be respectful of wildlife at Pinnacles. Avoid littering and feeding or touching any animal you encounter. The park is home to the magnificent California Condors, which are an endangered species, and several other stunning animals that want to be left alone.
5. Crowds
Although Pinnacles is not as crowded as other popular national parks in California, the parking lots may fill up quickly during peak season. The park is most popular during fall and winter, but you can try to avoid crowds by going during the week. Springtime is also popular for visitors who want to see the wildflowers bloom!
6. Restaurants
There are no restaurants inside the park, but you may find food and snacks at the Visitor Center store on the east side. Some restaurants near Pinnacles National Park include:
- The Windmill Restaurant
- Cocuyos Restaurant
- La Plaza Bakery
- Palmas Restaurant
- Mariscos Puerto Angel
- Tacos Garibaldi
Stay At Kampgrounds of America for Your Next Adventure
Pinnacles National Park is a hidden gem that holds so much California beauty! If you plan to visit and explore, make your base camp at Salinas / Monterey KOA. Whether you want to stay in your RV or enjoy a Deluxe Cabin, KOA will ensure you have a comfortable and convenient experience. Book a stay today, or browse various KOA locations throughout California!
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
