Pinnacles National Park is the newest National Park in California (a former National Monument), established in 2013. Interestingly, it is one of California’s least visited National Parks (along with Lassen Volcanic National Park, which we visited last year).
The unique rock formations – pinnacles – that dominate Pinnacles National Park were formed 23 million years ago due to volcanic activity and tectonic plate shifts. Today, this National Park spans across 26,000 acres of mostly wilderness.
Undoubtedly, Pinnacles is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for peace and relaxation. Surrounded by untouched nature, you can explore the area by hiking, rock climbing, or walking through the caves.
Where is Pinnacles National Park?
Pinnacles National Park is located in Central California, east of central California’s Salinas Valley. It is about 1.5 hours from San Jose and 1.5 hours from Monterrey.
The park has two entrances – East and West, which are not connected, so plan your trip accordingly.
Everything you need to know about visiting National Parks with kids
After visiting 20 National Parks with our kids and experiencing their unique beauty, we have put together a guide detailing the essentials of planning and participating in park programs to ensure a rewarding family adventure in the National Parks.
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Where to stay?
Note that there is no lodging (or dining) inside the Pinnacles National Park except for camping.
Pinnacles Campground can only be accessed through the National Park’s East entrance. The campground offers tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire pits (with campfires only permitted during low fire danger season). The nice feature of this campground is an outdoor swimming pool that is typically open from April through September.
The closest towns in less than an hour’s drive from Pinnacles National Park that offer lodging are Soledad, San Juan Bautista, and Hollister.
Dining
It is important to remember that there are no restaurants or grocery stores inside Pinnacles National Park.
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Entering from the East side, the closest dining options would be either in Tres Pinos (around a 30-minute drive) or San Juan Bautista (around a 50-minute drive).
The Pinnacles Campground Store on the east side has a limited selection of food items for purchase, and there are three picnic areas available at Pinnacles, namely the Pinnacles Visitor Center, Bear Gulch Picnic Area on the east side, and Chaparral Picnic Area on the west side.
Pinnacles National Park Map
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee to Pinnacles National Park is $30.00 per private vehicle, and it is valid for 7 days.
If you are planning to visit at least three National Parks in 12 months, we recommend investing in an interagency Annual Pass called America the Beautiful. The Annual Pass is $80 and is valid for one year from the moment of purchase. It can be used for free entry to all National Parks in the U.S. as well as other units of the National Parks System.
Hikes in Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park boasts over 30 miles of diverse trails, spanning from level ground to uphill treks through the caves.
💡 Good to Know
When planning your visit to Pinnacles National Park, keep in mind that it can get really hot in summer, exceeding 100°F.
Throughout the years, we have had the pleasure of visiting Pinnacles National Park five times. Here below are some trails that we took with our kids.
Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
Trailhead: Bear Gulch Day Use Area
Round-trip Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
Time: 1.5 hours
Level: Moderate
Elevation: 500 feet
If you are looking for a short hike suitable for children, this loop is an ideal choice. It offers stunning views of the rock formations, talus caves, and a reservoir on the top.
Walking through the caves was our favorite part, but we have to admit, carrying our little one in a backpack was a little challenging while navigating through narrow caves 😅. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a flashlight or a headlamp; it can be pitch dark inside the caves!
💡 Good to Know
It is worth noting that Bear Gulch Cave is only open seasonally. The park closes the caves due to heavy rains and flooding or when the colony of Townsend’s Big-Eared bats returns to the caves to have their babies. So always check the status of the Caves on a National Parks website before heading there.
If you wish to avoid going back down through the caves, you can keep walking on the Rim Trail, which would also take you to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area.
Condor Gulch Trail to Condor Gulch Overlook
Trailhead: Bear Gulch Day Use Area
Round-trip Distance: 1 mile to the Overlook
Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Level: Moderate
Elevation: 1,100 feet
This trail offers breathtaking views of the High Peaks from the beginning. The good news is that Condor Gulch Overlook is only one mile up the trail, and you can choose to only do this part of a longer hike and go back where you started.
High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop
Trailhead: Bear Gulch Day Use Area
Round-trip Distance: 6.7 miles round trip
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Level: Strenuous
Elevation: 1,425 feet
On this trail, you can explore the High Peaks by ascending and descending along the ridge, admiring the lush meadows of grasses and wildflowers in Spring.
This was a rather challenging hike to go on with kids; luckily, we only had one fellow hiker in a backpack at that time.
Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave
Trailhead: Old Pinnacles Trailhead
Round-trip Distance: 5.3 miles round trip
Time: 3-5 hours
Level: Moderate
Elevation: none
Balconies Cave offers breathtaking views of towering rock formations like Machete Ridge and the Balconies Cliffs. Please note that Balconies Caves may also occasionally be closed due to Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat activity, vandalism, or hazardous conditions after storms.
Remember to bring flashlights or headlamps as they’re required in the cave.
Junior Ranger program
Did you know that every National Park in the U.S. offers a Junior Ranger Program? Children can earn a Junior Ranger Badge by completing an activity book, answering questions about the park to a Park Ranger, and taking an oath.
This program is an excellent way to get kids excited about nature and the great outdoors. Additionally, it’s a fantastic opportunity for families to learn about the National Parks together.
💡 Good to Know
Usually, you need to go to the Visitor Center inside the National Park to obtain your Junior Ranger Activity book and take an oath to receive the Junior Ranger Badge. In this case, the Ranger has informed us that the Visitor Center at Pinnacles National Park is not operating now, and we can get our books and badges right at the kiosk while paying for the entrance fees.
Leave No Trace
Exploring the wilderness of National Parks can be an incredible experience for families with children. It offers a valuable opportunity to educate kids about the Leave No Trace philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of preserving nature and wildlife. To ensure the protection of National Parks, it is crucial to follow the fundamental principles of Leave No Trace, such as staying on designated trails, refraining from moving or taking natural objects, and properly disposing of waste.
