Pinnacles National Park Camping
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Overview
A brief introduction to Pinnacles National Park
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.
Pinnacles National Park is a national park of the United States protecting a mountainous area located east of the Salinas Valley in Central California, about five miles (8 km) east of Soledad and 80 miles (130 km) southeast of San Jose. The park's namesakes are the eroded leftovers of the western half of an extinct volcano that has moved 200 miles (320 km) from its original location on the San Andreas Fault, embedded in a portion of the California Pacific Coast Ranges. Pinnacles is managed by the National Park Service and the majority of the park is protected as wilderness.
The national park is divided by the rock formations into East and West Divisions, connected only by foot trails. The east side has shade and water, while the west has high walls. The rock formations provide for spectacular pinnacles that attract rock climbers. The park features unusual talus caves that house at least 13 species of bats. Pinnacles is most often visited in spring or fall because of the intense heat during the summer. Park lands are prime habitat for prairie falcons and are a release site for California condors that have been hatched in captivity.
Pinnacles was originally established as a national monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, and was redesignated as a national park in 2013.
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Scan for cancellationsContact Pinnacles National Park
- Recreation.gov
- Booking site: https://www.recreation.gov
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Other nearby parks
Open to camping at other nearby parks? Here are a few other parks you'll find in the vicinity.
Reviews
Camper reviews for Pinnacles National Park
Fantastic Family Campground
There are mostly pluses to this campground. I usually try and the spots in the outer loops furtherest from the road and the group sites. People are pretty good about quieting down I just like these sites as they are right against the wilderness. Often Wild Turkeys, coyotes or even bob cats can stroll by. A little pro tip if you are coming to climb - get up early and even think about sending up a biker before the road opens to the park as the climbing sites fill quickly in the AM. Best times of year are Spring and Fall here - espically spring for wildflowers!
Patrick Fitzhugh Dowd reviewed Pinnacles National Park
on May 14th, 2023
great access to the park
Pinnacles campground's best features is proximity to the park. In addition to regular drive up tent sites, they have tent cabins, RV sites and group sites.
The majority of the sites do not have shade--bad in the summer, but good in cooler weather! Site #37 is large and has more shade than any other but low hanging tree branches made it very hard to pop up the roof top camper on our van. Would be great for a tent.
There is a small swimming pool on site, though it was pretty poorly maintained when we were there (summer 2021). Pay showers as well, but also not in the best shape. The camp store was very well stocked and the park office had a VERY helpful staff person full of historical information!
Mary C Humphrey reviewed Pinnacles National Park
on January 18th, 2023
Map
View a map of Pinnacles National Park
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