National Parks & Outdoors / PROFILE

Pinnacles National Park

Open the filtered interactive map →

SELECTED RECORD

Pinnacles National Park

Open full profile →

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. Visitors can explore diverse environments, from chaparral and oak woodlands to the cool, shaded depths of canyon floors.

Activities: Astronomy · Backcountry Hiking · Biking · Birdwatching · Bookstore and Park Store · Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Caving · Citizen Science · Climbing · Food · Front-Country Hiking · Gift Shop and Souvenirs · Group Camping · Hands-On · Hiking · Junior Ranger Program · Park Film · Picnicking · RV Camping · Road Biking · Rock Climbing · Shopping · Stargazing · Volunteer Vacation · Wildlife Watching

Published entrance fees

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 and West Entrance.

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 Entrance and West Entrance.

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.

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 with comparable passenger capacity ($40 or $100). People 15 years old or younger, anyone with a pass that may be used for park entry, and drivers hired for transportation only are exempt from the per person fee.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

$30 · The charge for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $30. This entrance fee is for commercial tours of one or more people traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

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 recreational puposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

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 recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the sevice. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

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 recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

$0 · School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.

Published passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$55 · The Pinnacles Annual Pass is available to U.S citizens and residents only. It is valid only at Pinnacles and may be purchased online or in person. It is valid for 12 months from purchase month. This pass admits up to two motorcycles (including passengers), or up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle to Pinnacles National Park.

Published operating hours

East Side Entrance · Entrance to the east side of Pinnacles National Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays.

West Side Entrance · The west entrance to the park offers access to trails such as Prewett Point, Balconies, and Juniper Canyon. Note: this one-lane road is narrow and winding. Oversize vehicles should enter the park on the east side.

Fees, facilities and activities are the 2026-10-03 NPS snapshot. Historical visitation describes recorded visits, not crowding forecasts or present conditions.

Plan your visit

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. A wider variation in seasonal temperatures can be expected in the local area. Summers are hot with temperatures above 100 degrees. Winters are cooler with highs in the 60s. Big swings in temperature occur between day and night, year round.

Campgrounds (1)

• Pinnacles Campground

Official NPS information and current conditions ↗