Pinnacles National Monument
Pinnacles National Monument
Whether you want to count yellow poppies, condors or shooting stars, Pinnacles National Monument will reward you with new pleasures on every visit. Activities include hiking, rock climbing, studying wildlife, viewing wildflowers and experiencing nature.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Eric BrunnemannPhone Number: 831-389-4485
Entrance Fees: Vehicle (single visit entry): $5; Individual: $3 (pedestrians & bicycles)
Sights: Bear Gulch Resevoir; High Peaks; Gabilan Mountains; Bear Gulch Cave; Balconies Cave; Machete Ridge; Teapot Dome
Important Dates
Established as Park: January 16, 1908By The Numbers
Acres: 24,265.00Highest Point: North Chalone Peak (3304 feet)
Annual Visitation: 158,824 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.477970 / -121.182000 (map it)
State: CA
Nearby Big City: Paicines, CA
Gateway Communities: Paicines, CA; Tres Pinos, CA; King City, CA; Hollister, CA; San Lucas, CA
Nearby Airports: San Francisco International Airport (SFO); Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK); Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT); Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Pinnacles with Fall Col...
Mike Brake
Pinnacles Path
Mike Brake
Pinnacles and Blue Sky
Mike Brake
View More Pinnacles Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Night Programs Night Programs are offered occasionally on Fridays or Saturdays in spring, summer, and fall. These programs include full moon and dark sky hikes, bat viewings, and astronomy progra ... read more.
Animals Although Pinnacles National Monument is not home to such charismatic megafauna as bison, bears, or blue whales, it supports healthy populations of many kinds of smaller animals such as bobcats, bats ... read more.
Camping Pinnacles Campground is located near the east entrance of the park and offers tent, group, and RV sites. Each tent and group site has a picnic table and fire ring. RV sites have electrical hookups a ... read more.
Centennial Celebration Pinnacles National Monument will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008. Throughout the year, centennial events will highlight the legacy of local initiative and support that was instrumental i ... read more.
Geology The faults within the Pinnacles National Monument mark distinct boundaries in geology. The Pinnacles Fault juxtaposes granitic basement rock west of the fault and the Pinnacles Volcanic Formation e ... read more.
History Native Americans Anthropologists believe Pinnacles was intermittently occupied by small groups of Native Americans. Evidence in the form of arrowheads and acorn grinding stones have been discovered ... read more.
Just For Kids Park Fun Junior Ranger Program Pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at the Bear Gulch Nature Center, Pinnacles Visitor Center, or Chaparral Ranger Station, and complete activities in the booklet to e ... read more.
Natural World The rolling chaparral and dramatic rock faces of Pinnacles National Monument inspire loyalty in visitors, from picnickers to rock-climbers, and from stargazers to cave explorers. Pinnacles is visua ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Safety Hiking, caving and climbing can be a lot of fun at Pinnacles; however, you are a long way from medical assistance, so please plan ahead. Wear sturdy shoes; carry water and a flashlight. Rememb ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Operating Hours & Seasons Unlike many national parks, Pinnacles National Monument is most popular in the spring and fall. During the spring, high temperatures are usually in the 60s and 70s, though n ... read more.
Plants Vegetation at Pinnacles National Monument may be broadly grouped into five major habitat types or vegetation associations, described below. These associations result from a web of interactions among ... read more.
Things To Do Hiking Trails There are over 30 miles of hiking trails at Pinnacles National Monument, ranging from easy, flat walks to more challenging, all-day hikes. Please remember to carry and drink plenty of ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Trails Pinnacles National Monument has more than 30 miles of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Many trails intersect, and you can plan a short loop or a longer all-day trip. Popular destination ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Park Partners By supporting park partners, you also help to support Pinnacles National Monument. Pinnacles Partnership www.pinnaclespartnership.org email Pinnacles Partnership (831)389-4485 ext 239 5 ... read more.
Pinnacles In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
