Pinnacles National 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. — nps.gov
Pinnacles National Park at a glance
- State
- California
- Established
- January 10, 2013
- Size
- 26,686 acres
- 2025 visits
- 343,208
- Busiest-park rank
- #47 of 63
- Entrance
- $30 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Pinnacles quiet?
Pinnacles is busiest in April and quietest in September. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, February is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 343,208 recreation visits, the #47 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Pinnacles open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: SeptemberBusiest: April
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Pinnacles
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Pinnacles National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Pinnacles
- Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park10-30 Minutes · All year
junior ranger programs
Pets OK - Hike Bacon-Butterfield Ranch Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
East Side Trails, Easy Hikes, Bicycle and pet friendly
Pets OK - Hike Jawbone Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
West Side Trails, Moderate Hikes
- Hike Prewett Point Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
West Side Trails, Easy Hikes, Accessible Trail
- Hike Balconies Cliffs Trail to Balconies Cave Trail Loop1-2 Hours · All year
West Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Loop Hike, Cave Hike
- Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail1-2 Hours · All year
East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes
- Hike Condor Gulch Trail60-90 Minutes · All year
East Side Trails, Moderate Hike to Viewpoint, Strenuous Hikes
- Hike Moses Spring Trail to Rim Trail Loop1-2 Hours · All year
East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Loop Hike, Cave Hike
Show all 24 things to doShow fewer
- Hike Juniper Canyon Trail Loop2-3 Hours · All yearReservation/permit
- Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail3-4 Hours · All year
- Hike Chalone Peak Trail3-5 Hours · All year
- Hike Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop3-5 Hours · All year
- Hike Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave3-4 Hours · All year
- Hike Bench Trail to Balconies Cave Trail4-6 Hours · All year
- Hike High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop4-5 Hours · All year
- Hike High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop4-5 Hours · All year
- Hike North Wilderness Trail Loop5-8 Hours · All year
- Pets OK
- Pets OK
- Pets OK
- Pets OK
- Pets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Astronomy44
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Caving7
- Citizen Science17
- Climbing26
- Food46
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs25
- Group Camping33
- Hiking60
- Picnicking34
- Road Biking25
- Rock Climbing15
- RV Camping28
- Stargazing39
- Volunteer Vacation10
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Pinnacles
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.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Pinnacles
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.
5000 East Entrance Road, Paicines, CA, 95043 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Pinnacles
- Yosemite National Park130 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Sequoia National Park139 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Kings Canyon National Park147 mi~4 h drive (est.)
- Channel Islands National Park187 miChannel Islands is not reachable by road
- Death Valley National Park225 mi~5 h drive (est.)
- Lassen Volcanic National Park277 mi~7 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: San Jose (66 mi) · San Francisco (133 mi) · Sacramento (144 mi) · Los Angeles (232 mi)
Road trip
Pinnacles & Yosemite
2 parks, about 130 miles between them (~3 h of driving, estimated).
Pinnacles is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Pinnacles National Park
FAQ
Pinnacles, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Pinnacles National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in February, the quietest shoulder-season month. April is the busiest month on average, and September the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Pinnacles National Park?
- $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
- Do you need a reservation for Pinnacles National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Pinnacles National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Pinnacles National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 24 things to do in Pinnacles National Park, including Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park, Hike Bacon-Butterfield Ranch Trail, Hike Jawbone Trail, Hike Prewett Point Trail, Hike Balconies Cliffs Trail to Balconies Cave Trail Loop. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Pinnacles National Park become a national park?
- Pinnacles National Park was established as a national park on January 10, 2013.
- What is the closest national park to Pinnacles?
- Yosemite National Park, about 130 miles away in a straight line (roughly 3 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Pinnacles National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Pinnacles National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/pinn.
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