A Simple Guide to Pinnacles National Park
When it comes to exploring Pinnacles National Park, things can get a bit confusing. The park’s two entrances are not connected by a road, meaning your choice of entrance determines which parts of the park you can access. Furthermore, finding suitable lodging in this remote location can be challenging.
That’s why we developed this concise and straightforward guide specifically for Pinnacles National Park. Our guide provides clear information without overwhelming you with unnecessary details or distractions.
Get ready to plan your trip to Pinnacles National Park, California’s newest national park, with confidence!
What is Pinnacles National Park known for?
Elevated to national park status in 2013, Pinnacles National Park is the newest of California’s nine national parks. It is renowned for its extraordinary geological formations. Towering rock spires, caves, and rugged cliffs create a breathtaking landscape that mesmerizes visitors.
The park is also a sanctuary for the endangered California condor, one of the world’s largest and rarest birds. With a wingspan of 9 feet (or more), the California condor is a majestic vulture. But, in the 1980s, the population of California condors dropped to less than 24. Thanks to breeding and conservation efforts, there are over 500 California condors alive today!
If you see a California condor during your trip to Pinnacles, look closely to see if you can spot its tag color and number. Then, you can look up that individual condor on Condor Spotter to find out more about its birthday, name, siblings, and mate!
Its diverse ecosystem supports a wide range of plant and animal species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers. The terrain of Pinnacles National Park is a result of volcanic eruptions 23 million years ago!
Where is Pinnacles National Park?
Situated in central California about 90 minutes south of San Jose, Pinnacles National Park is easily accessible from nearby cities such as Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Gilroy. Its location (just a 2-hour drive from San Francisco) makes it a perfect day trip option that offers both solitude and convenience.
While Pinnacles National Park is the most easily accessible national park from the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s not visited as frequently as more well-known parks in California like Yosemite or Joshua Tree. Only about 275,000 people visited Pinnacles National Park in 2022. Compare that to Yosemite National Park, which was visited by over 3.6 million people in 2022!
For those looking for the best place to stay near Pinnacles National Park, keep reading for our recommendations. We cover that later in this article!
When can you visit Pinnacles National Park?
Unlike many other national parks, Pinnacles National Park can be visited year-round with no major limitations on activities or trail access. That is a major upside of Pinnacles! Trust me – we’ve learned the hard way. (When we visited Lassen Volcanic National Park in mid-June, most of the park was still inaccessible due to winter snow!)
At Pinnacles National Park, each season offers its own unique charm. Spring brings colorful wildflowers and mild temperatures, while summer offers longer daylight hours for extended explorations. Fall treats visitors to stunning foliage, and winter brings cooler temperatures and a serene atmosphere. Consider your preferences and activities of interest when deciding on the best time to visit.
How many entrances does Pinnacles National Park have?
While Highway 146 enters Pinnacles National Park from both the east and west, you should know that it does not connect in the park. There is no road going through the park. That means that you have to drive about 50 miles to get from one park entrance to the other! That’s an important consideration, especially if you only have time to visit one side of the park.
Pinnacles National Park has two main entrances: the East Entrance, which leads to the Pinnacles Visitor Center, and the West Entrance, known as the Chaparral Area. The entrance you choose determines the trails and areas of the park you can access. Plan accordingly and take into account the distance from your accommodation to each entrance.
What are the differences between the two entrances?
Each entrance offers distinct activities and opportunities for exploration. Choose your entrance wisely, because it will dictate the areas of the park you can visit.
The East Entrance is the more popular entrance to the park. It is more developed, features a full campground with a swimming pool, and access to the East Pinnacles Visitors Center, which looks more like a gift shop than a visitors center. Use the East Entrance if you are looking to hike Condor Gulch Trail, Moses Spring-Rim Trail Loop, or hike to the Bear Gulch Cave & Reservoir.
The West Entrance, on the other hand, is less visited and more low-key. Accessed from Hwy 146, 10 miles south of Soledad, the West Entrance offers access to the West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station, Prewett Point Trail (which has the best panoramic views of the park), and the famous Balconies Cliff-Balconies Cave Loop trail. According to a park ranger we spoke with, the west entrance is where you’ll get the more iconic views of Pinnacles’ dramatic rock formations.
What to Do at Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park offers an array of activities to suit every adventurer’s taste. Hiking enthusiasts can tackle the park’s well-maintained trails, leading to remarkable viewpoints and hidden wonders. Rock climbers can challenge themselves on the park’s rugged cliffs and boulders, with options available for all skill levels.
Bird watchers will have the chance to spot the majestic California condor soaring through the skies. Stargazers will be delighted by the park’s dark skies, perfect for observing celestial wonders. Wildlife photographers will find endless inspiration capturing the park’s diverse flora and fauna.
Here are the top 4 activities we recommend:
High Peaks Trail
Visitors to the east entrance of Pinnacles National Park can take a shuttle (or drive) to the Condor Gulch Trailhead near the Bear Gulch parking lot. We recommend hiking the Condor Gulch Trail to the High Peaks Trail, which offers close-up views of the dramatic rock spires that give Pinnacles its name and a very good chance of spotting a soaring California condor, the endangered species that Pinnacles is known for.
Be sure to hike the famous Steep & Narrow Section of the High Peaks Trail for extraordinary views and a special hiking experience!
Bear Gulch Cave
Also accessible from the east entrance, the Moses Spring-Rim Trail Loop to Bear Gulch Cave & Bear Gulch Reservoir is a popular trail for visitors to Pinnacles National Park, especially visitors with kids. Heading south from Bear Gulch, the 0.7-mile trail leads to Bear Gulch Cave — one of the park’s two talus caves which are open for exploration (bring a headlamp or flashlight though)!
Bear Gulch Cave is home to bat colonies and is sometimes closed to protect the bats or to protect visitors from seasonal flooding. Be sure to check on the status of Bear Gulch Cave with a park ranger. Still, even if the cave is closed or partially closed, this hike is still worth it for the incredible views from the reservoir – which can be beautiful at sunrise or sunset. From there, you can hike back to the parking lot for a total 1.34-mile hike or you can finish the Moses Spring-Rim Trail Loop for a total distance of 2.2 miles.
Prewett Point Trail
For those who enter Pinnacles National Park at the west entrance, consider hiking the 1-mile Prewett Point Trail. The hike begins at the West Pinnacles Contract Station and is flat, easy, and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The hike is short but it offers incredible panoramic views of the park.
Balconies Cliffs-Balconies Cave Loop
The Balconies Cliffs-Balconies Cave Loop trail is a 2.4-mile roundtrip hike that begins at the Chaparral parking area. The first stop on this hike is Balconies Cave, a talus cave that is usually open to explore. Just be sure to check with the park rangers to confirm the cave is open and there aren’t any bat- or flooding-related closures. Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp if you want to explore one of Pinnacles’ caves!
We recommend returning to the parking area via the higher cliff route, which provides views of the park’s largest rock formations!
Note: Balconies Cave is also accessible for visitors to the east entrance of the park using the Old Pinnacles Trail, a 5.3-mile roundtrip hike that begins near the East Entrance Station.
Where to Stay near Pinnacles National Park
For an immersive experience, camping at Pinnacles National Park is highly recommended. The Pinnacles Campground in the eastern park offers tent sites, RV hookups, and basic amenities amidst the park’s natural beauty.
We are full-time travelers who discovered Pinnacles to be a perfect day trip option when we lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. For those looking to book a stay in a large city, San Jose has plenty of options and is only a 90-minute drive from either entrance to Pinnacles National Park. Similarly, Santa Cruz is a popular destination that is about a 90-minute drive from either entrance to the park.
For those looking to stay closer to the park, here are our lodging recommendations for each entrance:
Best Access to East Entrance:
Best Access to the West Entrance:
Conclusion: A Simple Guide to Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park’s status as a younger and lesser-known national park makes it feel like the hidden gem of central California. It’s a perfect day trip option from the San Francisco Bay Area and has enough offerings to warrant a longer camping trip or multi-night stay in a nearby town!
We hope you feel better oriented to the layout of Pinnacles National Park and excited about the top things to do! Whether you’re a hiker seeking breathtaking vistas, a bird enthusiast longing for a close-up condor sighting, or simply a nature-lover yearning to escape the hustle and bustle, Pinnacles National Park promises an adventure like no other.
