Caution
Fire Danger HIGH
Fires are permitted in the campground and designated picnic areas, but please ensure that all fires are completely extinguished.
Posted or updated Oct 21, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov
National Park
Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is a National Park in California. The NPS currently lists 2 active alerts, 1 campground and 3 visitor centers; entrance fees start at $15.
California National Park America the Beautiful pass accepted
Updated · NPS Data API
About the park
“Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky spires and deep canyons.”
Active alerts
2
Closures
0
Campgrounds
1
Visitor centers
3
Current alerts and closures
2 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 1 caution and 1 information.
Information
Heavy Traffic and High Visitation Alert
Pinnacles experiences extremely high visitation on weekends, holidays, and during favorable weather, especially in the spring. Expect long lines and delays between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. If you're planning to hike the High Peaks, Condor Gulch, Balconies, or Moses Spring Trail, it’s recommended to arrive before 8:00 am (parking may fill earlier). Additionally, campground access may be temporarily delayed during peak periods of visitation when ALL incoming traffic is held.
Posted or updated May 28, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov
Entrance fees and passes
A park entrance pass is required year-round at Pinnacles National Park. Visitors entering the park have multiple pass and entrance fee options available depending on how they arrive to the park.
| Fee | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $30 | This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle up to 15 passengers to Pinnacles East Entrance… Buy online |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $25 | Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles, scooters, or similar motorized vehicles with up to 4 total passengers to Pinnacles East… Buy online |
| Entrance - Per Person | $15 | This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. It is valid for 1-7 days to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance. Buy online |
| Entrance - Non-commercial Groups | $15 | Non-commercial groups traveling in vehicles that have a capacity of 16 passengers or more pay $15 per person up to the maximums listed for commercial groups… |
| Commercial Entrance - Sedan | $30 | The charge for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $30. |
| Commercial Entrance - Van | $40 | This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-15 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or… |
| Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus | $40 | This entrance fee is for commercial trous of vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or… |
| Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach | $100 | This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or more people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or… |
| Entrance - Education/Academic Groups | Free | School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups. |
| Pass | Cost | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Entrance - Park | $55 | Recreation.gov |
The interagency America the Beautiful pass is accepted here. This park is cashless — bring a card or buy your pass online. Fee details on nps.gov
Things to do
Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park
junior ranger programs
10-30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Biking in Pinnacles National Park
biking, road biking
Year-round Pets allowed
Birdwatching in Pinnacles National Park
birds, birdwatching
Year-round Pets allowed
See all 24 things to do in Pinnacles →
Activities the NPS lists for Pinnacles.
AstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingCampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingRV CampingCavingClimbingRock ClimbingFoodPicnickingHands-OnCitizen ScienceVolunteer VacationHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs
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Operating hours
Entrance to the east side of Pinnacles National Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | All Day |
| Tuesday | All Day |
| Wednesday | All Day |
| Thursday | All Day |
| Friday | All Day |
| Saturday | All Day |
| Sunday | All Day |
Weather: Pinnacles National Park has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, and mild winters with moderate precipitation. The park is several miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.
Contact and directions
- Phone
- 8313894486
- [email protected]
- Address
- 5000 East Entrance Road, Paicines, CA 95043
- Coordinates
- 36.4903, -121.1814· View on OpenStreetMap
Visitor centers
| Visitor center | Standard hours | Phone | Passport stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Gulch Nature Center | Daily: 10:00AM - 3:00PM | (831) 389-4486 ext. 4235 | Yes |
| Pinnacles Park Store | Daily: 9:00AM - 4:00PM | 831 389 4485 | Yes |
| West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station | Mon 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Tue 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Wed 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 3:00AM · Fri 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Sat 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Sun 9:00AM - 3:00PM | (831) 389-4427 | Yes |
Campgrounds
| Campground | Total sites | Reservable | First-come | RVs | Fee | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinnacles Campground | 134 | 134 | 0 | Yes, up to 90 ft | $43 | Recreation.gov |
Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.
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Nearest other NPS sites
Sources
- Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
- Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm
- Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.