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National park in California, United States
Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pinnacles National Park is a national park that protects a wilderness area containing the remains of half of a long-extinct volcano. It offers rugged, difficult hiking trails over high rock formations and through talus caves. Rock climbing is allowed in some places but is dangerous and requires some experience. Unlike most national parks, there are few options for people with mobility limitations.
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The remnants of a volcano, the high peaks are a series of interesting rocky pinnacles that dominate the landscape and gave the park its name.
A talus cave, formed from falling boulders creating a "roof" over a narrow canyon. This cave is one of the most popular in the park, and can be visited from either side of the park by following the Balconies Cave trail. A flashlight is required through the cave. The cave is dark, wet, and some scrambling over rocks is required.
Portions of Bear Gulch Cave are closed throughout the year in order to protect a colony of Townsend's Big-eared bats; the cave is closed entirely from mid-May through July. A flashlight is required through the cave.
A moderate hike that gains of elevation and offers picturesque views. The rangers often suggest this one for families hiking with kids. The trailhead is on the east side of the park near the Visitor Center. Hike through Bear Gulch to Reservoir, Bear Gulch Cave is open seasonally (bring flashlights and headlamps), then along the rim of the gulch with panoramic views; also connects with High Peaks Trail. Trail guide available at Visitor Center.
This trail follows the canyon bottom and a seasonal stream. Take the Bear Gulch Trail from the east side visitor center and connect to the Bench Trail at the canyon bottom. Be prepared to crawl through part of Bear Gulch Cave on your hands and knees. The Balconies Cave trail may be joined on the return trip.
Note: The Bear Gulch Caves are open seasonally. The caves are open year round, except from approximately mid-May through mid-July, when parts are closed due to Townsend's Big-Eared Bat roosting activity. Actual closure dates depend on arrival and departure of the bats. Check the official National Park Service web site for current status.
Starting at the reservoir on the east side, this trail gains as it climbs gradually to North Chalone Peak, the highest point in the park. The last mile is on a dirt road. For a longer hike, an unmaintained trail continues 1.6 mi farther to South Chalone Peak, with a unique vista from the southern end of the Gabilan Range.
The Bench trail can be combined with Balconies Cave to create an interesting loop. The trail begins near Pinnacles Campground and provides a sunny hike along Chalone Creek. Connects with Bear Gulch Trail to Visitor Center. Preferred way to access the park from the campground.
A moderately difficult hike that leads through valley oaks along the fire road for first half a mile. Turn to the right at the South Wilderness marker, and then follow the trail and/or creek to park's south boundary. Opportunity for more solitude and wildlife viewing than on the popular trails. Begins on the Bench Trail in the east side of the park; hike from the Bear Gulch Visitor Center or the Pinnacles Campground. The beginning of this route is one of the few trails accessible to visitors using wheelchairs and strollers.
A moderately difficult hike to an overlook (1 mi), and more strenuous beyond; good views of High Peaks on the way to the overlook where they tower overhead, even better from close to the junction with High Peaks Trail; geology trail guide available.
A moderately easy hike that gains of elevation, this trail offers excellent views and passes through Balconies Cave, a talus cave formed from boulders filling in a "roof" over a narrow stream canyon. A flashlight is required through the cave; a head lamp is recommended to leave your hands free. Some areas are narrow and may require scrambling to pass through. Portions of the trail may require wading during the winter and spring; cave may be closed during periods of heavy rainfall to prevent accidental deaths by drowning. The trailhead is near the west entrance parking lot, and the trail may be combined with loops that lead to the High Peaks area.
A strenuous hike that gains of elevation during its climb from the west entrance parking lot up to the High Peaks. Excellent views, and it can be combined with the tunnel trail and the "Steep and Narrow" section of the High Peaks Trail to make a spectacular loop.
A strenuous hike. Due to construction on the east side of the park, this loop should be started from the main parking area on the west side. Much of this trail follows the Chalone Creek bed and is marked by rock cairns. Makes a loop by combining with the Old Pinnacles and Balconies Trails.
Numerous trails join with the High Peaks Trail, a strenuous trail through the rock formations. Some parts of this trail are narrow and require climbing steep rock stairs and is not suitable for those who are afraid of heights. For all others, the view and the geology are incredible.
The easiest hike in the park, a half-hour uphill walk will give you great views, with an overlook a little more than halfway. The trail is less dusty than some, but narrows to 3 feet (1 m) past the overlook. This trail has no shade and should be avoided from late morning to mid-afternoon.
The closest lodging is the Inn at Pinnacles, a luxury bed and breakfast with six rooms. Amenities include gourmet breakfast, bathtubs, gas fireplaces, robes & slippers, private patios, and gas barbecues.
134 sites, 12 group sites, and 30 RV sites with electrical hookups. There are also 10 tent cabins with beds available for rent. All sites can be reserved in advance. Pinnacles Campground is just outside of East Pinnacles on California Route 146, and is operated by a concessionaire for the National Park Service. It can be accessed only from the east side of the Park as there are no connecting roads between the two entrances of Pinnacles. The campground offers tent and group camping, along with RV sites. Amenities include electrical hookups, flush toilets, water, showers (extra fee), a dump station, and there is a swimming pool that is open from April through September. Most RV sites have electrical hookups and share community tables and barbecue pits. Sites can be reserved up to six months in advance.
An automobile is the only practical means to reach Pinnacles National Park. Park entrances on the east and west sides are not connected to each other by a through-road.S.
Read in the guideBy foot
The park offers 30 mi of hiking trails, easily accessible from the parking areas inside of both entrances and ranging in difficulty from moderately easy two-mile loops to trails leading across high…
By bicycle
Bicycles are allowed only on paved roads within the park. Bicycles and motorcycles are not allowed on trails.
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Monterey · Regional · MRY
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