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Description
Some 23 million years ago multiple volcanoes erupted, flowed, and slid to form what would become Pinnacles National Park. What remains is a unique landscape with chaparral, oak woodlands and canyon bottoms. The towering rock spires are teeming with life and you can see birds such as Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, Golden Eagle, Wild Turkey, California Quail and the inspiring California Condor, one of the most endangered species in the world, with only about 300 in the wild today.
Pinnacles National Park participates in the California Condor Recovery Program. In the spring of 2010, a condor was born in the park for the first time in years. There are now about 40 California Condor living in and around the park. The best place to see a condor is on the High Peaks Trail.
Details
Access
East or west entrance of Pinnacles National Park. When driving to Pinnacles National Park, please keep in mind that there is no road that connects the east and west entrances of the park. The shortest route from the east entrance to the west entrance (or from west to east) is through the town of King City on Hwy 101. There are several parking lots and hikes to the top of the mountains. Click on a P in the map for directions or coordinates. East Side: 24 hour access to trails. No overnight parking outside of campground area. West Side: Entry gate is open from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm. Day-use only. Vehicle Entrance Fee - $30.00. Walk-in or Bicycle Entrance Fee - $15.00.
From the San Francisco Bay Area to the East Entrance: Take Hwy 101 south through the city of Gilroy to Hwy 25 south. On Hwy 25. Go through the town of Hollister and continue about 30 miles to Hwy 146. Turn right on Hwy 146. Turn left into the Pinnacles Campground to check in at the Pinnacles Visitor Center. From the campground, the Bear Gulch Area is 3.5 miles further into the park along Hwy 146.
From the San Francisco Bay Area to the West Entrance: Take Hwy 101 South to the town of Soledad. Take Hwy 146 East. Be aware that the highway turns into a one lane road, drive with caution. Follow Hwy 146 for 14 miles into Pinnacles National Park.
Terrain and Habitat
MountainConditions
MountainousCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
StrenuousAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Photo Pinnacles National Park by Samartur, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo California Condor by Joe Lewis, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.