Pinnacles National Park: 2 Day Itinerary

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We went into our first visit at this park not expecting much, but oh boy, were we blown away. With dramatic rock spires, talus caves, sweeping overlooks, and soaring California condors, Pinnacles National Park packs plenty of adventure into its rugged landscape. Although it’s one of California’s smaller and lesser-known national parks, its unique trails make it a truly unforgettable experience.

This two-day itinerary explores both sides of the park, from the Balconies Cave Loop and panoramic Prewett Point Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir and the spectacular High Peaks. Get ready to squeeze through rocky passages, climb steep trails, and experience some of the best scenery Pinnacles National Park has to offer.

Entrance Fee:

$30 for a 7-day vehicle pass

*This park does not accept cash.

Another option, especially if you plan on visiting California’s other national parks, is an America the Beautiful Pass. It covers entrance fees for over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including all national parks.

If you have a 4^th grader in your crew, check out Every Kid Outdoors for a free National Park Pass instead!

Lodging:

The park has no lodges. For hotel or VRBO stays, visit Hollister, CA, about 30 minutes from the East entrance and an hour from the West entrance. Although there are closer accommodations on the west side, we stayed in Hollister throughout our visit to Pinnacles to avoid changing locations. If you are ok with moving, check out Soledad, CA for options closer to the West Entrance.

On the east side, there is one campground that offers tent sites, RV spots, glamping, and group areas. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months ahead of time at Recreation.gov.

Dining:

The only food options on either side of the park are at the Campground Store on the east side. They have a small selection of groceries. Outside the park, check out Hollister (closer to the east side) and Soledad (closer to the west side).

Know Before You Go:

You will need a flashlight or headlamp to explore the caves.
The path is not always clear, especially in the caves- make sure you have a trail map downloaded prior to heading out. You will also see small white arrows on the rock pointing you in the right direction.
Please travel quietly through the cave portions of the trail so as not to disturb our winged cave friends.
Trails on both days will require navigating through tight spaces and a little bit of scrambling. Know your limits and skill level.
Parking is very limited on both sides of the park. A seasonal shuttle runs on the park’s east side. You can pick it up at the Pinnacles Campground.
Trails and caves are prone to closures to protect wildlife. Please check the park’s website for current closures before visiting.
Visiting in the summer? Bring all kinds of sun protection- sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.- and PLENTY of water. We visited in May this past year, and it was already very hot in the park.
I recommend downloading an AllTrails map for trails on this itinerary. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)
Please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.

2-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 (West Entrance)

Although you’ll pass the West Entrance Contact Station and Prewitt Point Trail en route to the Balconies Cave Loop, it’s best to go directly to the Chaparral Parking Lot. Since the lot is small and tends to fill up quickly, arriving early increases your chances of finding a space.

Balconies Cave Loop

Distance: 2.7 miles round-trip

Trail Route: Loop

Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 300+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Chaparral Parking Lot.

Pet Friendly: No

Restroom at Trailhead: Yes

This was our crew’s favorite trail in the park! Although tomorrow’s trail also features caves, we loved this one so much that it became our top pick. Several trails begin at the Chaparral Parking Lot, so make sure to follow the signs for the Balconies Cave Trail.

From the parking lot, follow the mostly flat path toward the large triangular rock called Machete Ridge. At roughly 0.7 miles, you’ll reach a trail junction. I found it easier to go through the cave going upward, so I recommend a counterclockwise loop, which means turning right at the junction. Just past this point, as the cave walls narrow, you’ll encounter a metal gate—this is your cue to switch on your headlamp. You’ll then navigate through rocky gaps in the first section of cave.

Once you exit the first section, there is a short outdoor boulder field between two sections of the cave that can be tricky to traverse. Look for a small white arrow pointing downward to find where to climb down into the next cave segment. The second section offers limited headroom and is quite dark, so proceed slowly to avoid hitting your head and expect to spend most of your time in this section hunched over or crawling.

At the end of the second section, you’ll see another gate; walk through it and turn left onto the Balconies Cliff Trail. This scenic portion of the trail provides breathtaking views of the towering cliffs and impressive rock formations and reconnects at the original trail junction. Finally, follow your steps back to your vehicle. While this trail is not terribly long, your legs will be tired!

Prewett Point Trail

Distance: 1 mile round-trip

Trail Route: Out-and-back with a short loop at the end

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 50+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the West Entrance Visitor Center Lot.

Pet Friendly: No

Restroom at Trailhead: Yes

This quick loop begins just outside the West Entrance Visitor Center. The well-maintained dirt path is easy to follow and provides panoramic views of the famous Pinnacles rock formations and the Hain Wilderness. Although I haven’t explored every trail in the park, this one offers some of the most impressive vistas relative to the low effort required. Despite it being short and sweet, it lacks shade. Be sure to carry sufficient water and sun protection if visiting during summer months.

Day 2 (East Entrance)

Bear Gulch Nature Center

This nature center features exhibits and information about the park’s wildlife, geology, history, hiking trails, ecosystems, and current conservation efforts. Rangers are also available if you have questions about the park or today’s hike. Hours vary with ranger availability.

Condor Gulch to High Peaks Loop

Distance: 5.5 miles round-trip

Trail Route: Loop

Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 1600+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Bear Gulch Nature Center Lot or Moses Spring Lot.

Pet Friendly: No

Restroom at Trailhead: Yes

This loop offers an excellent way to fully experience the best of Pinnacles National Park’s diverse landscape. It combines several trails to form a large loop, providing a small glimpse of what makes this park special.

I recommend starting at the Bear Gulch Nature Center Lot. Cross the street and take the Condor Gulch Trail to the Condor Gulch Overlook, about 0.9 miles away with nearly 500 ft elevation gain. Enjoy the breathtaking views and look out for California Condors, especially likely if you start your hike early.

After enjoying the overlook, continue ascending another 500 ft over 0.7 miles to the High Peaks Junction, then turn left to continue the loop. The trail here is spectacular, winding through the heart of the park with close-up views of massive boulders and jagged spires.

After approximately 0.6 miles, you’ll reach another junction with the Tunnel Trail; stay left to continue on the High Peaks Trail.

The next 0.6 miles get a little hairy. There are several steep and narrow sections, with carved steps in the rock. These sections do have railings, however if you are afraid of heights this section can be a little scetchy.

Once you reach the pit toilets and the second junction for the Tunnel Trail, the trail eases. Follow it downhill for about 1.4 miles to the Rim Trail and watch for signs to Bear Gulch. Veer right to continue on the Rim Trail. In 0.4 miles, you’ll arrive at the Bear Gulch Reservoir. This is a great spot for a quick break as you take in more of the park’s stunning views.

From Bear Gulch Reservoir, you can explore Upper Bear Cave, but it’s often closed for bat activity. If closed, take the Moses Spring Trail for 0.6 miles through Lower Bear Cave to the Moses Spring Lot. As with the Balconies Cave Loop, I recommend headlamps for the very cool Lower Bear Cave section of the trail and watch your head; it’s very easy to run into the rocky overhangs.

Lastly, cross the street at the Moses Spring Lot and walk along Bear Creek and the main park road for another 0.3 miles to return to the Bear Gulch Nature Center Lot.

Peaks View Overlook

As you leave the park, stop at the Peaks View Overlook for a final view of Pinnacle National Park’s distinctive rock formations. It’s an ideal spot to watch the sun sink behind the rocky landscape and catch your last look at this incredible park.