Pinnacles National Park: planning guide
Volcanic rock spires and talus caves east of the Salinas Valley in California. Condors sometimes soar overhead.
Pinnacles National Park is in CA, United States. The nearest town is Soledad — roughly 10 mi (16.1 km) out, about 27 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: May, June, September, and early October. Shoulder season: April and late October.
Winter is cool and wet at low elevation and snowy in the mountains, with reduced hut and refuge service.
July and August combine peak heat with peak domestic holidays. Shoulder months are both cooler and quieter.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Soledad | 10 mi (16.1 km) | 27 min |
| Greenfield | 11.9 mi (19.2 km) | 32 min |
| Gonzales | 15.9 mi (25.6 km) | 39 min |
| King City | 18.6 mi (29.9 km) | 44 min |
| Hollister | 29 mi (46.7 km) | 1 hr 2 min |
| Salinas | 30.7 mi (49.4 km) | 1 hr 5 min |
| Gilroy | 42.8 mi (68.9 km) | 1 hr 26 min |
| Los Banos | 43.5 mi (70 km) | 1 hr 27 min |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pinnacles | Reservable | — |
Where Pinnacles National Park sits
Official Pinnacles National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park sits close enough to Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Channel Islands National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Yosemite National Park | 131 mi (211 km) | 3 hr 33 min |
| Kings Canyon National Park | 140 mi (225 km) | 3 hr 46 min |
| Sequoia National Park | 142 mi (229 km) | 3 hr 49 min |
| Channel Islands National Park | 197 mi (317 km) | 5 hr 7 min |
Parks close by
- Yosemite National Park
A granite valley and high Sierra country in California. Waterfalls in spring; valley floors get crowded in summer.
- Kings Canyon National Park
Deep granite canyon and giant sequoia groves in California’s Sierra. Shares a boundary with Sequoia National Park.
- Sequoia National Park
Giant sequoia groves on the western Sierra slope in California. Big trees, granite, and shared access with Kings Canyon.
- Channel Islands National Park
A chain of islands off southern California. Reach them by boat; expect wind, wildlife, and limited services.
Common questions
Where is Pinnacles National Park?
Pinnacles National Park sits in CA, United States. Soledad, about 10 mi (16.1 km) away — roughly 27 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Pinnacles National Park?
Generally May, June, September, and early October, with April and late October quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Pinnacles National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 1 campground at Pinnacles National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.