At Pinnacles National Park you can explore talus caves, view wild California Condors, enjoy excellent day hiking, and experience rock climbing all in a single day. Because Pinnacles is California’s newest national park, it’s still relatively unknown and receives far fewer visitors than other nearby parks. Being small, it’s also easy to explore. Just 90 minutes south of San Jose, California, Pinnacles National Park is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Top Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park
1) Scramble through the Talus Caves
Pinnacles National Park has two awesome talus caves to explore. Unlike traditional caves, talus caves are created when large boulders fall and get wedged between steep canyon walls creating a “cave”. Although not a traditional cave, they are still just as dark and you will need a headlamp to find your way though some sections.
Balconies Talus Cave
The Balconies Cave can be easily reached from the west side of the park using the Balconies Cliffs Trail (shorter hike) and east side using the Old Pinnacles Trail (longer hike).
Balconies Cliffs Trail to Balconies Cave (Western Side of park)
This lollipop shaped route begins at the Chaparral Trailhead Parking area located on the west side of the park. The route follows the Balconies Cliffs Trail, which crosses up and over the Balconies Cave before drooping down to the Old Pinnacles Trail. At this intersection, Balconies Cliffs Trail turns into Balconies Caves Trail and travels back through the cave. Once though the cave the Balconies Caves Trail rejoins the Balconies Cliffs Trail.
From there, return to the parking lot by retracing your route.
Distance: 2.4 miles
Vertical Ascent: 100 feet
Route type: Lollipop
Time to hike: 1-1.5 hours
Location: Start from Chaparral Trailhead (western entrance)
Tip:You need a flashlight in the cave
Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave (Eastern side of the park)
The Old Pinnacles Trail follows the West Fork Chalone Creek for two flat and easy miles before intersecting the Balconies Caves Trail. From there, follow the Balcones Caves Trail to explore the Balconies Talus Cave. After exiting the Balconies cave, follow the Balconies Cliffs Trail to climb back and over the caves and return to the Old Pinnacles Trail. From there, return to the parking lot by retracing your route.
Distance: 5.3 miles
Vertical Ascent: 955 feet
Route type: Out and back
Time to hike: 2-3 hours
Location: Start from the Old Pinnacles Trailhead
Tip:You need a flashlight in the cave
Bear Gulch Cave
Bear Gulch Cave is accessed by following the High Peaks Trail from the Bear Gulch parking area. After 1/2 of a mile, follow the signs for the Rim Trail. Follow the Rim Trail for 1/3 of a mile until it ends at the beautiful Bear Gulch Reservoir. After enjoying the views at the reservoir, follow Moses Spring Trail as it descends through Bear Gulch Cave. Once out of the cave, the trail rejoins the High Peaks Trail. From there, return to the parking lot by retracing your route.
Bear Gulch Cave is also home to a colony of Townsend’s big-eared bats which rest in the cave in the winter and raise their young there in the warmer months. Because these bats are considered a sensitive species, sections of the Bear Gulch Cave may be closed to protect them. You can find the status of the caves here.
Distance: 1.35 miles
Vertical Ascent: 600 feet
Route type: Loop
Time to hike: 1-1.5 hours
Location: Start from Bear Gulch Day Use Area
Tip: You need a flashlight in the cave
2) Explore the High Peaks Area
This awesome route takes hikers through the heart of the pinnacle rock formations that are the park’s namesake. The High Peaks trail begins by ascending gradually on a wide path that climbs upward from the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. After passing the junction with the Juniper Canyon Trail, the High Peaks Trail becomes steep and narrow with several sections where the trail is cut into the rock and metal pipes provide a railing in exposed sections. Although this sounds a little scary there is nothing too difficult here. If you can easily climb a ladder then you should be fine. After roughly three miles, the trail intersects with the Condor Gulch Trail which gradually descends, leading hikers back to the parking area.
Distance: 4.8 miles
Vertical Ascent: 1,791 feet
Route type: Loop
Time to hike: 3-4 hours
Location: Start from the Bear Gulch Day Use Area
3) Take Up Rock Climbing
Pinnacles National Park gets its name from the massive rock formations that divide the park into east and west sections. These giant pinnacles were produced by an ancient volcano and over time they were transported over 200 miles, by seismic activity, to their current resting place in the Salinas Valley. Today, the park’s rock spires offer a wonderland of clearly marked climbing routes with something for all skills levels.
For more information on climbing visit the Pinnacles National Park Climbing FAQ and the Friends of Pinnacles Climbing Page
If you are interested in learning to rock climb, Pinnacles National Park is a fun place to learn. Castle Rock Climbing School and Adventure Out are two companies that operate weekend climbing classes within the park.
4) Enjoy the Wildlife
During my visit to Pinnacles National Park I saw a ton of wildlife. In the campground several deer grazed next to my tent every morning, as I drove the road towards Bear Gulch I saw a group of turkeys strolling alongside the road (Fun fact, a group of turkeys is called a “rafter”…who knew?), and while hiking I saw bobcats and coyotes. But what Pinnacles National Park is really known for is the California Condor. Pinnacles National Park is an official condor recovery site and currently there are over two dozen condors that call Pinnacles National Park home. For the best chance of spying one of these massive birds, I suggest hiking the High Peaks area.
For more information on bird watching in Pinnacles National Park visit the Pinnacles Bird Watching Page
5) Set up camp
The Pinnacles Campground is located on the eastern side of the park and it is the only camping option inside the park. You can make a reservation here. You are not allowed to camp on the western side of the park.
The Pinnacles Campground offers RV, tent and group camping sites.
Amenities: All tent sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Most RV sites have electrical hookups, shared tables and barbecue pits. Water spigots are dispersed throughout the campground. Coin-operated showers and a dump station are available.
Fees and Details
Entrance Fee: $25/vehicle, $20/motorcycle, or $12/person on foot or bicycle. Entry fee is good for seven days. With this entrance fee anyone in a single private vehicle can leave and re-enter the park as many times as they want for seven days.
National Park Annual Pass: America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80/year). This pass is good for entrance to any national park and it’s a great deal if you are planning to visit several parks in a year. The pass is also good for lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation. Overall you get access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites making it a great value.
Hours: The East entrance of Pinnacles National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The West entrance of Pinnacles National Park is open from 7:30am to 8:00pm.
Phone: (831)389-4486
Getting to Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is located in the Salinas Valley, 76 miles south of San Jose, California.
The park is divided into east and west sides and there are no roads connecting the two sides, you can hike between the two sides, but you cannot drive between them.
Searching for “Pinnacles National Park” or using the park address may not give the correct location in mapping apps. Refer to the Pinnacles National Park website for directions to the east and west entrances.
West Entrance
Hours: 7:30am to 8:00. You can leave the park after hours, but you cannot get in.
Amenities: Visitor contact station, restrooms, water, parking at trailhead. There is no campground.
East Entrance:
Hours: Open 24 hours a day
Amenities: Visitor center, camp store, campground, restrooms, water, parking.
When to Visit Pinnacles National Park
Weather
Pinnacles National Park experiences hot and dry summers and mild winters. During the summer daytime temperatures average between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter temperatures can be below freezing at night. Spring and fall are usually the most pleasant times to visit the park.
For up to date forecasts for Pinnacles National Park click here
For historical averages of temperature and rain by month click here
Busy Season
The busiest times are mid-February to early June. Weekdays and holidays are also more crowded. Exploring during the off season can offer amazing solitude.
I visited the park mid- week in November. During my visit I only saw a handful of other hikers and the campgrounds were nearly deserted.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for checking out my guide on the top things to do in Pinnacles National Park. I hope that this guide will help you have an excellent trip. As always, please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural state of the places we love. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions, suggestions, or good vibes you want to share. If you found this guide useful, please like, pin, and share using the “share” icons below.
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Did you see any of those majestic birds?
I did but from really far away. I would recommend a pair of binoculars if you want to get an up-close view.