Pinnacles National Park guides
12 in-depth guides to Pinnacles National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Pinnacles National Park overview.
East or West? Choosing Your Pinnacles Entrance
Pinnacles National Park has two entrances, East and West, and no road connects them. The shortest route between the two runs through King City on Highway 101, and the drive from one side to the other takes about an hour and a half.
Beating the 100-Degree Heat: When to Visit
Summer highs at Pinnacles regularly climb past 100 degrees, and even on milder days they stay above 90.
The Neenach Volcano and the San Andreas Fault
The rock pinnacles that give the park its name are the remains of the Neenach Volcano, which was active about 23 million years ago in the area that is now Lancaster, California.
Bear Gulch and Balconies Talus Caves
Bear Gulch Cave and Balconies Cave are the two main talus caves in Pinnacles National Park.
High Peaks Loop: Ladders, Ledges, and Condors
The High Peaks Trail Loop covers 5.6 miles and is rated moderate to strenuous, so it suits hikers ready for a substantial outing.
Climbing Volcanic Spires: Teaching Rock to Discovery Wall
Climbing at Pinnacles starts with the rock itself. It is volcanic breccia, far less sturdy than the granite many climbers learned on elsewhere.
Stargazing at Bacon Ranch and Chaparral
Stargazing at Pinnacles is strongest when the moon is new, so plan your visit around that phase.
Return of the California Condor Over the High Peaks
The California condor is an endangered bird with an enormous wingspan. At Pinnacles, these birds glide above the rock spires near the park's highest points.
Bats, Falcons, and Eagles of the Rock Spires
Pinnacles is home to 14 bat species, and the talus caves are one of the places where they shelter.
The CCC Tunnel and Roosevelt's 1908 Monument
The push to protect this landscape began at the grassroots. A local man who had led tours of the caves for years started a preservation campaign, and Stanford University president David Starr Jordan, Forest Service chief Gifford Pinchot, and local families soon joined in.
No Hotels: East Side Campground and Tent Cabins
There are no hotels within Pinnacles National Park, so visitors who want to stay overnight will find their lodging at the Pinnacles Campground on the east side of the park.
Solitude on the North and South Wilderness Trails
Nearly 16,000 acres of Pinnacles National Park are protected as wilderness, a designation meant to preserve opportunities for solitude.
