National park

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is a national park in San Benito County, California. Entrance is $30 per vehicle, good for 7 days. It is open year-round. It has 1 developed campground.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Pinnacles National Park on the managing agency's own page.

Pinnacles National Park
Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0

Pinnacles National Park map

Pinnacles National Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.

Common questions

Entrance costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid 7 days. An annual pass for Pinnacles National Park costs $55. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted. The park takes no cash: pay by card or buy a pass online.
Yes. Pinnacles National Park is open year-round.
Yes. Pinnacles National Park has 1 developed campground. Campsites must be reserved ahead, up to 180 days in advance. East-side campground only; tent and RV sites reservable up to 6 months ahead, group sites up to 12 months. No road connects east and west entrances (as of September 29, 2026). Hookups at some Park Service sites; showers available. Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
Pets are allowed in Pinnacles National Park on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed on trails. They are not allowed in the backcountry. Not allowed: All park trails.

Fees, passes, and hours

Entrance costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid 7 days. An annual pass for Pinnacles National Park costs $55. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted. The park takes no cash: pay by card or buy a pass online.

Pinnacles National Park is open year-round.

Source: nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-29.

Camping in Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park has 1 developed campground. Campsites must be reserved ahead, up to 180 days in advance. East-side campground only; tent and RV sites reservable up to 6 months ahead, group sites up to 12 months. No road connects east and west entrances (as of September 29, 2026). Hookups at some Park Service sites; showers available. Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.

Reserve a campsite

Source: nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/camp, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Pets are allowed in Pinnacles National Park on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed on trails. They are not allowed in the backcountry. Not allowed: All park trails.

Source: nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/camp, checked 2026-09-29.

Getting there

  • Main access road: paved
  • Limited cell service

Source: nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/directions, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Prewett Point Trail(0.9 mi round trip, easy)West side; about 70 ft elevation gain.
  • Jawbone Trail(1.2 mi one way, easy to moderate)West side; about 560 ft descent one way.
  • Balconies Cliffs-Cave Loop(2.4 mi loop, easy to moderate)From Chaparral; about 100 ft gain through cliffs and cave.
  • Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop(2.2 mi round trip, moderate)From Bear Gulch Day Use; about 500 ft gain.
  • Condor Gulch Trail(1.7 mi one way, moderate)About 1,100 ft gain toward High Peaks views.
  • Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave(5.3 mi round trip, moderate)From Old Pinnacles Trailhead; little elevation gain.
  • Condor Gulch to High Peaks Loop(5.3 mi round trip, strenuous)About 1,300 ft gain; handrail sections in High Peaks.
  • Juniper Canyon Loop(4.3 mi loop, strenuous)From Chaparral; about 1,215 ft gain into High Peaks.
  • High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop(6.7 mi loop, strenuous)About 1,425 ft gain; meadows to High Peaks then shady woodlands.
  • Chalone Peak(9 mi round trip, strenuous)Climb to North Chalone Peak; about 2,040 ft gain and valley views.

Source: nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/trails, checked 2026-09-29.

What to see

  • CaveBear Gulch CaveTalus cave along popular east-side trails; flashlight recommended.
  • CaveBalconies CaveWest-side talus cave on the Balconies Cliffs-Cave Loop.
  • PeakHigh PeaksSteep rocky route with handrails; California condor habitat.
  • WildlifeCalifornia CondorsPark is a key condor release and viewing area.
  • HighlightBear Gulch ReservoirSmall reservoir on Moses Spring / Rim Trail loops from Bear Gulch.

Source: nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/trails, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Pinnacles National Park

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.