Entrance Fee
$30.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Pinnacles Park Store: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
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About the Park
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.
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What to See & Do
Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park
junior ranger programs
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
Visitor Centers
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
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.
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. Please note that this visitor center may be closed seasonally due to available staffing.
Where to Stay
Pinnacles Campground
Pinnacles Campground is run by Pinnacles Recreation Company. The campground offers tent and group camping, tent cabins, and RV sites. Each tent and group site has a picnic table and fire ring. Most RV sites have electrical hookups and share community tables and barbecue pits. Some tent cabins have electricity. Each tent cabin sleeps up to four people. To make reservations please visit recreation.gov. For questions and concerns call (831) 200-1722.
Parking & Access
Getting Here
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.
Official NPS directionsParking Lots
Bear Gulch Day Use Area
Bear Gulch is situated near hills dotted with Blue Oak trees and Grey Pines. Rock Formations can be seen in the distance between two hillsides. Parking area for Condor Gulch, Moses Spring Trail, and High Peaks trailheads. Location of the Bear Gulch Nature Center. It is located on the east side of Pinnacles.
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Chaparral Parking Area
This is the preferred parking area on the west side of the park that offers stunning views of the rock formations. It can hold a total of 43 vehicles, 1 is designated for ADA. It is the closest parking for popular hikes such as the Balconies Cave Loop and Juniper Canyon Trail Loop.
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Jawbone Parking Area
This west side gravel parking area can accomodate roughly 30 vehicles. It is situated near chaparral covered hillsides and grey pine trees. There is a connector trail to the Chaparral Parking area as well as access to the Jawbone Trail across the main roadway.
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Manzanita Parking
This parking lot is just before the Bear Gulch and Old Pinnacles intersection. It is situated on the shoulder of the East Entrance Road just after the Peaks View Parking Area. The Bench Trail is located across the crosswalk. It is located on the east side of Pinnacles.
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Moses Spring Parking Area
This small parking area is located at the end of the road near Bear Gulch Day Use Area. It is the nearest parking to the Moses Spring Trailhead. It is located on the east side of Pinnacles.
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Old Pinnacles Parking Area
Gravel parking area situated near a seasonal creek and a hillside blanketed with shrubs, blue oak, and grey pine trees. It is located past Peaks View and Manzanita Parking Areas. Old Pinnacles Parking Area is along the Chalone Creek Road which is adjacent the East Entrance Road. It is located on the east side of Pinnacles.
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Overflow parking
Gravel parking area on the east side of Pinnacles located in the campground behind the campground store and pool. This is the parking area to utilize shuttles that run seasonally up to Bear Gulch Day Use Area. Picnic tables and elevated fire grills are available under large Vally Oak trees. The Bacon Ranch is a short walk from here and the Bench Trail is the only trail that leads out of the campground.
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Peaks View Parking Area
Peaks View is a paved parking area on the east side near a seasonal stream surrounded by rolling chaparral covered hills. It is is midway from the camground and Bear Gulch and Old Pinnacles parking areas. There is ADA parking, an accessible vault restroom, water station, picnic tables, and spotting scopes with a bench. Trail access to the Bench Trail, ADA access to a portion of the Bench Trail. The Bench Trail connects to South Wilderness Trail, Sycamore Trail, Blue Oak Trail, and Old Pinnacles Trail.
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West Visitor Contact Station Parking
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. Visitors can access the Prewett Point Trail and Jawbone Trail from this area and be rewarded with exceptional views of the Pinnacles rock formations.
Open in MapsGetting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Pinnacles National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.00This 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.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid 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.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00This 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
$15.00Non-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
$30.00The 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
$40.00This 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
$40.00This 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
$100.00This 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
$0.00School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00The 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.
Operating Hours
East Side Entrance
Entrance to the east side of Pinnacles National Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
Light falling on tree
A Tarantula walking
A massive rock spire with California condors flying above the peak.
Rock formations appear behind a grassy hillside covered with oak trees and purple and yellow flowers
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
2-4 days
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Planning Pinnacles
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