Pinnacles National Park

Year Established: 2013
Annual Visitors: 349,000
Size: 26,000 Acres
State: California

Best Time to Visit Pinnacles National Park

March to May, September to November

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Pinnacles National Park

• Moses Spring
• High Peaks Trail
• Bear Gulch

A Brief History

Pinnacles was first made a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. In 2013, it was changed to a national park. The name of the park comes from the eroded remains of the western half of an extinct volcano that has moved 200 miles (320 km) from its original location on the San Andreas Fault and is now in a part of the California Pacific Coast Ranges. 

The rock formations divide the national park into two parts, East and West, that can only be reached by foot trails. The west side has high walls, and the east side has shade and water.

The formations also make for beautiful peaks that are popular with rock climbers. There are some strange talus caves in the park that are home to at least 13 kinds of bats. Most people go to Pinnacles in the spring or fall because it is so hot in the summer. Park lands are a great place for prairie falcons to live, and they are also where California condors that were born in zoos are set free.

Pinnacles RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Pinnacles National Park or in California, consider checking out our other post:

• Best RV Parks in California
• Best RV Resorts in California

Visitor Information

Fees

Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Weekly Park Passes

$15.00 per person

$30.00 per vehicle

$25.00 per motorcycle

All passes are valid for up to 7 days.

Annual Park Passes

Pinnacles National Park Annual Pass – $55

Contacting Pinnacles National Park

Visitor Centers

Pinnacles Visitor Center