Pinnacles National Park

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes

Driving to and sleeping at a campground

Ideal for first-timers

Places we've visited and fallen in love with

Spelunking through ancient talus caves at Pinnacles National Park

Yvonne Leow

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Last updated

August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, reserve a spot at Pinnacles Campground

Drive · 2.5 hours from SF

Ideal dates · March to May or September to October

Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on trails

Pinnacles National Park (PNP) is the newest national park in California, but its infamous rock formations are more than 23 million years old! What's left from volcanic activity has become a popular destination for rock climbers, cave divers, and campers. The park only has 30 miles of trails so backpacking isn't allowed, but come for the otherworldly rocks and stay for the spectacular stargazing.

Official National Park Website

Current Park and Trail Conditions

Directions to Campground

Main image credit: Gregory Gnesio

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

Buy a 7-day vehicle entrance fee for $30 online before your trip
Pack sunscreen and a jacket because temperatures drastically change from morning to night
There isn't a way to drive across the park so plan accordingly! (Pinnacles Campground is located on the eastern side of the park)‍
Bear Gulch and Balconies Caves are home to colonies of big-eared bats, and open to the public for certain parts of the year. Check the schedule. ‍
Wear face masks, socially distance, and recreate responsibly!

Resources

Check the weather

Where to camp

Pinnacles Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

Picnic table
Fire pit
Space for up to six people
Two parking spots
Food storage locker
Trash collection (on site)‍‍

Pinnacles Campground is the only place to camp within the park, but it has everything. Nestled among oak trees on the eastern side of the park, this comfy campground has tent, RV, group campsites and tent cabins available. There are restrooms, drinking water, hot showers (for a fee), a general store (for ice and firewood), and a swimming pool (open from April to September) on site. You can reserve a spot up to six months ahead so be sure to swoop one while they're still available!

Check-in: After 1 PM · Check-out: 11 AM

Quiet hours: 10 PM to 6 AM

Pinnacles Campground Map‍

Nightly Fee: $49

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

Hue Restaurant in San Jose, CA. Credit: Yelp

Leave SF by 11 AM and grab some Vietnamese food at Hue Restaurant

Diners love their authentic Banh Beos, steamed rice cakes
Located at 3005 Silver Creek Road, Suite. 190 in San Jose
Open everyday · 11 AM to 8 PM · 10 AM to 9 PM on weekends
Last pit stop · Safeway Fuel Station - 591 Tres Pinos Road in Hollister

Check in and settle in at Pinnacles Campground

Set up camp, wander around the campground and relax

Or if you're feeling ambitious, hike Bench Trail for a glimpse of the Pinnacles

This is a moderate 4.8 mile round-trip hike from Pinnacles Campground
Pack plenty of water and snacks for this trek
On weekends and later parts of the day, this trail can get pretty crowded

Return to camp for a sunset dinner

Prep dinner, s'mores, and enjoy an evening of drinking and stargazing

Pinnacles National Park has been a national monument since 1908, but President Obama re-designated it as a national park in 2013.

Day Two

High Peaks Trail Loop. Credit: All Trails

Get a sunrise start, grab brekkie, and prep for a day hike along High Peaks Trail Loop

Aim to get to the parking lot by 7:30 AM because spots fill up fast, plus temperatures will be cooler to hike in during the morning
Pack a daypack with snacks, sunscreen, sunhat, jacket, and plenty of water
This is a strenuous 5.5 round-trip hike with 1,630 ft. of elevation gain. There isn't a lot of shade for the first half of the trail so plan accordingly!
Park at Bear Gulch Visitor Center and start hiking along Condor Gulch Trail (look out for CA condors!)
Condor Gulch Trail -> High Peaks Trail -> Rim Trail
Rim Trail -> Moses Spring Trail -> High Peaks Trail (swing by Bear Gulch Cave if it's open!)

Bear Gulch and Balconies Caves are home to colonies of big-eared bats, and open to the public for certain parts of the year. Check the schedule.