Notable Campgrounds
- Best for RVs: Pinnacles Campground offers 36 RV sites with electric hookups near the campground entrance and condor viewing area.
- Best for comfort: Ten tent cabins with beds are available both with and without electricity, though campers must bring their own bedding.
- Best for groups: Fourteen group sites offer plenty of space for up to 20 people each
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Reserve a campsite as soon as you know your dates. Regular campsites can be reserved up to six months in advance.
- If traveling with a group, book a group campsite, reservable up to 12 months in advance.
- If your plans are flexible, visit on a weekday or in summer, when soaring temperatures make the park less popular.
When to Go
The park is extremely busy in spring, over weekends, and on holidays. Spring is a beautiful time to visit, with extensive and varied wildflower displays. The campground swimming pool is usually open from April to September. Be aware that the Bear Gulch Cave is typically closed from mid-May to mid-July for pupping season. Nesting peregrines and eagles may cause some climbing areas to close from January through July.
Know Before You Go
- The campground is only accessible from the east side of the park. There are no connecting roads between the two park entrances, though there are hiking trails.
- Bring a flashlight or headlamps for caving and binoculars for birdwatching.
- Extreme summer temperatures can make hiking and outdoor activity dangerous. Bring plenty of water, and watch out for poison oak.
- There is no cell service in the park, but visitors can purchase wifi at the East Pinnacle Visitor Center campground store.
Pinnacles National Park
Craggy pinnacles, caves, and condors are highlights in this pocket-sized park.
Formed more than 20 million years ago by volcanic eruption, the park’s namesake pinnacles are a defining feature of this unique landscape in central California. The towering and jagged rock formations draw rock climbers, while hikers can explore more than 30 miles of trails leading to wildflower meadows, scenic overlooks, and through talus caves teeming with bats. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including the famed California condor. One established campground offers tent sites, RV sites, and group sites, and even includes a swimming pool, amphitheater, showers, and a campground store.
Formed more than 20 million years ago by volcanic eruption, the park’s namesake pinnacles are a defining feature of this unique landscape in central California. The towering and jagged rock formations draw rock climbers, while hikers can explore more than 30 miles of trails leading to wildflower meadows, scenic overlooks, and through talus caves teeming with bats. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including the famed California condor. One established campground offers tent sites, RV sites, and group sites, and even includes a swimming pool, amphitheater, showers, and a campground store.
Activities in the park
1 campground in Pinnacles National Park
Find wild turkeys, rabbits, condors, and the sun shining on your (hopefully) sunscreened face. Pinnacles is a great campground that even has a general store and a swimming pool. It's a great base to explore the nearby balconies cave. There is also a ton of rock climbing in the park. Be wary that it might get crowded and super hot during the wa Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
The park is extremely busy in spring, over weekends, and on holidays. Spring is a beautiful time to visit, with extensive and varied wildflower displays. The campground swimming pool is usually open from April to September. Be aware that the Bear Gulch Cave is typically closed from mid-May to mid-July for pupping season. Nesting peregrines and eagles may cause some climbing areas to close from January through July.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —