National Park · NPS · CA · Roosevelt connection
Pinnacles National Park
Photo: National Park Service/Oscar Garcia, Balconies Caves
Alerts and conditions
Caution Fire Danger LOW
Fires are permitted in the campground and designated picnic areas. Please ensure that all fires are not left unattended and are completely extinguished. Fireworks are always prohibited. No roadside parking.
Information Heavy Traffic and High Visitation Alert
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.
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.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
The Roosevelt connection
Protected by T.R.
- January 16, 1908: as President, Theodore Roosevelt set aside Pinnacles National Monument. Volcanic spires and talus caves in the Gabilan Mountains. It became Pinnacles National Park in 2013.
presidency.ucsb.edu · web.archive.org · govinfo.gov · npshistory.com · Roosevelt’s Public Lands
His proclamations and orders
- January 16, 1908: Proclamation 796, “Setting Aside Pinnacles National Monument, California.” Today’s site began with this document. About 26,700 acres today; redesignated a national park in 2013.
Proclamation 796 in Theodore Roosevelt’s Executive Orders and Proclamations
What to see and do
Activities
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Caving
- Climbing
- Rock Climbing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Hands-On
- Citizen Science
- Volunteer Vacation
- Hiking
- Backcountry Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Plan your visit
Hours
East Side Entrance: Entrance to the east side of Pinnacles National Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays.
West Side Entrance: 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.
Fees and passes
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $30.00
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $25.00
- Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
- Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — $15.00
- Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $30.00
- Commercial Entrance - Van — $40.00
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $40.00
- Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $100.00
- Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
- Annual Entrance - Park — $55.00
The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.
Getting there
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.
Visitor centers
- Pinnacles Park Store
- West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station
- Bear Gulch Nature Center
Campgrounds
- Pinnacles Campground (134 sites) — reserve
Weather
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.
Phone: 8313894486
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Fort Ord National Monument BLM · 33 miles
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 39 miles
- Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 47 miles
- San Luis National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 55 miles
- Merced National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 57 miles
- Piedras Blancas Outstanding Natural Area BLM · 57 miles