Best of Pinnacles: 5 Thrilling Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is one of the smallest and least visited national parks in the United States. The list of things to do in Pinnacles National Park is relatively short and unexpectedly awesome. We loved this park, with its thrilling, unique hiking trails, its gorgeous reservoir and caves, and a chance to spot California Condors.

We are frequent visitors to the US national parks (Pinnacles makes national park # 52 for us) and Pinnacles is an underrated gem. It’s small size and convenient location near San Francisco makes it easy to visit. And its short to-do list means it doesn’t take much time to see the best of the park.

One busy day is all the time you need to see the main highlights of the park. With more time, you can venture off the beaten path, to hike more remote trails, go rock climbing, or go stargazing.

In this guide, we cover the must-have experiences in Pinnacles National Park, plus a few more activities for those who want to go deeper into the park. We also cover a few interesting facts about the park plus some practical information to help you plan your visit.

Welcome to wonderful Pinnacles National Park.

Table of Contents

Best Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park

This list is broken up into two sections. First, we list the 5 very best things to do in Pinnacles National Park. Then we go on to list a few more hikes and activities, perfect for those with two or more days in the park.

Geography 101: An Overview & Map of the Park

Before we jump into what to do in Pinnacles National Park, it’s a good idea to get an overview of the park layout.

There are two sections to Pinnacles National Park: the east side and the west side. The roads in these two sections do not connect and it takes an hour and a half to drive from one side to the other. Choosing which side to visit is the first big decision you will make.

The east side is, in our opinion, the best side to access the park. From here, you can do everything listed below. The east side is open 24 hours, it’s the more popular entrance, there’s a campground and park store here, plus the visitor center.

The west side is good for those who only plan to hike the High Peaks Trail or to Balconies Cave. From the west side, it is a shorter hike to Balconies Cave than from the east side. However, the west side is gated and open only from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (confirm these hours on the National Park Service website before you go). It’s also a less popular entrance, so it could be easier to get parking here.

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

Top 5 Things to Do in Pinnacles

1. Bear Gulch Reservoir

This iconic reservoir is a must-see. It’s not only one of the most photographed sights in Pinnacles National Park but getting here is lots of fun (if you like exploring caves).

PARKING: East side of the park. There are two lots to choose from: Bear Gulch Day Use Area (very large parking lot but farther from the reservoir) and the Moses Spring Parking Area (0.25 miles closer to the reservoir but this lot is smaller, with roughly 10 parking spaces).

To get to the reservoir, you will do some hiking.

Take the Moses Spring Trail to get to the reservoir. A short distance into the hike, the trail will split. Both trails will get you to the reservoir, but they are very different experiences.

The Bear Gulch Cave Trail splits off from the Moses Spring Trail and runs through a cave that was formed by a huge rockfall. You will need a headlamp and you will do some easy rock scrambling, but it will be in the dark. There are also a fair number of steps to get up and out of the cave. If you are claustrophobic, skip the Bear Gulch Cave Trail.

The Moses Spring Trail runs through a forest and then briefly along a cliff and the views are very nice.

Moses Spring Trail

These two trails rejoin and run through another cave, although this one is more open than Bear Gulch Caves. After a climb up a long staircase, you’ll arrive at the reservoir.

We have lots more photos of these two trails in our hiking guide for the High Peaks Trail.

2. Bear Gulch Caves

If you like caving and rock scrambling, you’ll find these caves to be a lot of fun. They are located along the hiking trail between the Bear Gulch Day Use Area and the Bear Gulch Reservoir.

PARKING: East side of the park. There are two lots to choose from: Bear Gulch Day Use Area (very large parking lot but farther from the reservoir) and the Moses Spring Parking Area (0.25 miles closer to the caves but this lot is smaller, with roughly 10 parking spaces).

The Bear Gulch Caves are home to bat colonies. There are two caves here, the upper caves and the lower caves.

The lower caves are what you will hike through to get to the reservoir. These are only open certain times of the year, generally from April 1 to mid-May and mid-July to the end of February. The rest of the time they are closed to protect the bat colonies.

The upper caves are only open for a week or two at the end of October. There is an access point from the lower caves. As you hike up through the lower caves, look for the sturdy, metal, prison-like door and this is the entrance into the upper caves. We spoke to a park ranger and she said that you really don’t miss much if the upper caves are closed (they were closed during our visit).

To get through the lower caves, you will need a headlamp. A smartphone flashlight will not work, since you need to have both hands free for rock scrambling. There is a point where it is pitch black inside of the cave and you will need a light source.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Before your trip, check the National Park Service website to see if the caves are open. If not, you will have to hike the Moses Spring Trail to detour around the caves.

3. Hike the High Peaks

The High Peaks are the clusters of pinnacles located on the mountaintops, which gives this park its name. Hiking amongst these massive pinnacles, with 360° views of the park is the #1 experience to have at Pinnacles, especially for those who love hiking.

Tim and I loved this hike and it’s one of our favorites in the US national parks. This loop trail offers unique landscapes, constantly changing views, a bit of rock scrambling, and the chance to spot wildlife. There’s never a boring moment on this trail.

Another thing that makes this hike so great is that it includes Bear Gulch Reservoir, Bear Gulch Caves, and the chance to spot a California Condor, so you can combine almost all 5 top things to do in Pinnacles into one incredible loop hike.

To do this hike as a loop, it is 5.6 miles/9.1 km, moderate to strenuous in difficulty, and takes 3 to 4.5 hours. It can be done from both the east side and the west side of the park. Our hiking guide starts from the east side. Here’s how to do it ↓

Trail Guide

High Peaks Trail Loop: The Best Hike in Pinnacles NP

Detailed hiking guide for the High Peaks Trail Loop.

4. Spot a California Condor

California Condors soar over the High Peaks of Pinnacles National Park. Hiking the High Peaks Trail is the best way to get an up-close view of these endangered birds.

The National Park Service, alongside the Ventana Wildlife Society, has been operating a recovery program to increase the numbers of wild condors. This national park is critical to the condor’s survival, as it is one of the last places they are protected.

These huge birds, with their enormous wingspans, soar over the rocky pinnacles at the highest points in the park. It is a beautiful sight to see and another reason why hiking the High Peaks Trail is one of the best things to do in Pinnacles National Park.

5. Rock Scramble through the Balconies Cave

The Balconies Cave is similar to Bear Gulch Caves, in that you get to rock scramble through a dark, somewhat mysterious cave. We thought the Balconies Cave was a lot more fun and interesting to hike/scramble through, but getting to this cave is really not all that interesting.

PARKING: The Balconies Cave are accessible from both entrances. The west entrance is best, since it is a much shorter hike and has a larger parking lot.

HIKING STATS FROM THE WEST SIDE: From the west side parking lot, this hike is 2.4 miles round trip and it takes 1 to 1.5 hours. There is very little elevation gain and easy to do.

HIKING STATS FROM THE EAST SIDE: Park at the Old Pinnacles Trail (a small lot with 20 spaces). This hike is 5.3 miles round trip, it takes 2 to 3 hours, has a total ascent of 575 feet, and it is moderate in difficulty. It’s a mostly flat walk to get to the caves, on a trail that runs along a small creek, and it feels rather monotonous at times. After the caves, the trail forms a lollipop loop on the Balconies Cliff Trail, and this part is hilly and where most of the elevation comes into the hike.

We hiked to Balconies Cave from the east side. Earlier on the same day we did the High Peaks Trail Loop. Even though the hike is longer from the east side, overall it was still faster than driving the hour and a half to the west side. Parking at the Old Pinnacles Trail is tricky, since it is a small lot, but we got lucky midday and there was one spot open.

Old Pinnacles Trail

Balconies Cliff Trail

The hike through the cave is a lot of fun. Again, there are sections where it is pitch black, so a headlamp is a necessity. You will do some easy to moderate rock scrambling in dim lighting or complete darkness, and if that sounds like fun, it’s definitely a hike to add to your list. If you are claustrophobic, then skip the Balconies Cave.

Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes while hiking in Pinnacles National Park. We came across a rattlesnake on the trail on the return hike from Balconies Cave.

There was also a lot of poison along the Old Pinnacles Trail on our visit. Here’s what it looks like ↓

Go Deeper: More Things to Do in Pinnacles

1. Go Rock Climbing

The rock formations in Pinnacles National Park make this an excellent place to go rock climbing. There are routes for all levels of rock climbers, from beginners to those more advanced.

On the east side of the park, Discovery Wall and Tourist Trap are two climbing locations, not far from the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. There are also climbing routes on the west side of the park and in High Peaks as well.

For a bigger list of where to go rock climbing in the park, take a look at the National Park Service website. Be aware that some routes can close January through July during raptor nesting season.

2. Hike to Chalone Peak

Distance: 8.25 miles (13.25 km) out-and-back | Total Ascent: 2,200 feet (670 meters) | Difficulty: Strenuous | Time: 3.5 to 6 hours

This hike takes you to the highest peak in Pinnacles National Park.

This hike starts on the east side of the park at the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. The first part of the hike goes through Bear Gulch Caves or along the Moses Spring Trail (depending on what is open and which trail you prefer), runs past the Bear Gulch Reservoir, and then steadily climbs to Chalone Peak.

The view of the High Peaks from the trail

The views from Chalone Peak and the top part of the trail are magnificent, with 360° views over the park and this part of California.

Chalone Peak and the fire watchtower

The view from Chalone Peak

Some of the best views come during the return hike, with views of the High Peaks off in the distance

For those who love hiking and those who want to leave the crowds behind (when we did this, we saw just one other hiker on the trail between the reservoir and Chalone Peak), this is a good hike to do. However, the High Peaks Trail is much more interesting, so this is the hike where we recommend putting your time.

It’s a tough hike, with very little shade, and during the summer months the trail can be very hot. Be sure to bring lots of water, sunblock, and food (preferably salty food).

3. Go Stargazing

With its relatively remote location in California, away from the cities and light pollution, Pinnacles National Park is great place to view the night sky.

4. Condor Gulch Overlook

This overlook comes up on a lot of lists. It is located on the Condor Gulch Trail, one of the trails that makes up the High Peaks Loop. I’m listing it here, so you know about, since it does frequently come up on other guides and websites, but we weren’t all that impressed with the view.

You get much better views of the park from higher up the trail, from the High Peaks area. It’s not worth going out of your way to hike here for the view, in my opinion.

Here’s the view ↓

5. Visit the Bear Gulch Nature Center

This very small nature center has on display information about the wildlife that can be found in the park. Again, it’s not worth going out of your way to visit, but if you will be in the Bear Gulch Day Use Area, you can stop inside if you are curious. It is located on the east side of the park, right next to the Bear Gulch Day Use parking lot.

The Ultimate Guide to the 63 US National Parks

What Makes Pinnacles NP Special?

This national park is located very close to the San Andreas Fault. The geology of this park is characterized by massive pinnacles of rock and talus caves. The pinnacles of rock were created by the eruption of the Neenach Volcano. The caves were formed from earthquakes and these caves are now the nesting sites of multiple species of bats.

The High Peaks area of the park is part of a California Condor reestablishment program, where Condors are released into the wild after being hatched in captivity. This park also has more bees than anywhere else on earth, with 450 species identified in the park.

Pinnacles National Park was first established as a national monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. In 2013, it was designated as a national park.

Bear Gulch Reservoir

Practical Information

Park Hours: The east side is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The west side is gated, with opening hours from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (confirm these hours on the National Park Service website before you go).

Park Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days

Get updates on trail closures, road closures, cave openings, and park conditions as you plan your trip and just before your visit on the National Park Service website.

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do you need in Pinnacles NP?

With one well planned day, you can see the highlights of Pinnacles National Park. If you hike the High Peaks Trail Loop, you get to see the High Peaks, California Condors, Bear Gulch Reservoir, and hike through Bear Gulch Caves (if they are open). Those with more energy can add on the hike to Balconies Cave, but that does make for a big day of hiking. With another day or two, go rock climbing or hike to Chalone Peak.

When is the best time to visit Pinnacles?

Spring and fall are the best times to visit Pinnacles National Park. The weather is pleasant and there is a good chance that the Bear Gulch Caves will be open. During the summer months, temperatures can soar, which make hiking uncomfortable and dangerous. The winter months are the wettest months of the year with cooler temperatures (the high is still roughly 60°, which is rather pleasant for a national park in the winter). Our visit was the first week of May and we had sunny skies and cool to warm temperatures.

Is Pinnacles National Park worth it?

This small park is easy to get to and easy to visit, with its short list of unique experiences. Rock scramble through caves, hike amongst towering pinnacles of rock, see California Condors, and relax next to Bear Gulch Reservoir. This park is absolutely worth a day or two and it can be easily added on to a trip to San Francisco or the other California national parks.

If you have any questions about the best things to do in Pinnacles National Park, let us know in the comment section below.

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