Pinnacles National Park covers 26,686 acres in California. It became a national park on January 10, 2013, the 59th of today’s 64 parks to get that title. It recorded 343,208 recreation visits in 2025, the 47th most of the 63 parks with a 2025 count.
Today at Pinnacles
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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
In the park service’s words
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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Entrance fee and passes
The standard entrance pass is $30 per vehicle. 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.
The $80 America the Beautiful pass for U.S. residents covers this fee and everyone in your car. It pays for itself after 3 visits at this price, and it is accepted at every national park.
Entrance is free for U.S. residents on the 2026 fee-free days.
Best time to visit
- Best time to visit Pinnacles: January, February, October and November. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: March, with about 39,629 visits in a typical recent year. That is 2.0 times as many as September.
- Quietest month: September (19,761 visits).
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
More detail: the best time to visit Pinnacles, month by month.
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit: crowds and weather month by month
- Itinerary: ready-made plans for 1 to 3 days
- Things to do: 16 hikes and 8 other activities
- Camping, RVs and lodging: 1 campgrounds
- Getting there: Nearest gas to West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station: Arco, 6.7 miles away. Closest airport Monterey Regional Airport (37 mi)
- Know before you go: safety, what to pack and what to leave at home
Popular hikes
- Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail (3 to 4 Hours): East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes
- Hike Bench Trail to Balconies Cave Trail (4 to 6 Hours): East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Cave Hike
- Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail (1 to 2 Hours): East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes
- Hike Moses Spring Trail to Rim Trail Loop (1 to 2 Hours): East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Loop Hike, Cave Hike
- Hike Jawbone Trail (30 to 60 Minutes): West Side Trails, Moderate Hikes
Weather, in the park service’s words
The park service says:
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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Nearby national parks by road
- Sequoia (California): about 4 h by car (172 miles)
- Yosemite (California): about 4 h 15 min by car (180 miles)
- Kings Canyon (California): about 4 h 20 min by car (201 miles)
- Lassen Volcanic (California): about 6 h 45 min by car (341 miles)
Drive times run between the closest visitor centers of each pair, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads. Link several parks with the road trip planner.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Pinnacles National Park?
The standard entrance pass is $30 per vehicle. 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.
What state is Pinnacles National Park in?
California.
When did Pinnacles become a national park?
January 10, 2013.
How many people visit Pinnacles?
343,208 recreation visits were counted in 2025.
When is the best time to visit Pinnacles?
January, February, October and November. March is the busiest month and September the quietest while the park is fully open.
