IPinnacles National Park offers unique RV camping at California's newest national park, featuring dramatic volcanic rock formations, two talus cave systems, and over 30 miles of hiking trails. Pinnacles Campground provides the only camping inside the park with 134 campsites, including 36 RV sites with 30-amp electric hookups, while nearby options like Salinas/Monterey KOA and Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA offer resort-style amenities just an hour from the park, perfect for Bay Area weekenders and California road-trippers.
Nestled in California's Gabilan Range east of the Salinas Valley, Pinnacles National Park showcases spectacular remains of an ancient volcanic field formed over 23 million years ago. Famous for being one of America's newest national parks (established in 2013), this 26,000-acre wonder features towering rock spires, dramatic cliffs, and unique talus caves that draw rock climbers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
You'll be in store for limitless adventure during your RV trip to Pinnacles, from exploring mysterious Bear Gulch Cave and Balconies Cave to hiking the thrilling High Peaks Trail with steep rock staircases. The park is home to over 400 species of bees (more than anywhere else in North America) and serves as a crucial habitat for the endangered California condor—North America's largest bird. You can spot these majestic creatures soaring overhead from Condor Gulch Overlook.
The park offers two separate entrances—east and west—with no connecting road between them, making trip planning essential. The east entrance provides RV-friendly access to Pinnacles Campground, visitor center, and Bear Gulch Cave, while the west entrance (narrow roads not recommended for RVs) leads to Balconies Cave.
Spring (March-May) is peak season when wildflowers carpet hillsides and both caves are typically open. Fall (September-November) offers comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer temperatures can soar above 100°F, making early morning the best time for activities. Winter brings mild weather perfect for rock climbing and peaceful trail exploration. No matter when you visit, Pinnacles promises spectacular volcanic landscapes, thrilling cave exploration, world-class rock climbing, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Pinnacles National Park features two separate entrances with no connecting through-road. The East Entrance (Highway 25 from Hollister, 32 miles south) is the RV-friendly route, leading to Pinnacles Campground and visitor center. This entrance accommodates RVs of all sizes and stays open 24 hours. The West Entrance (Highway 146 from Soledad, 12 miles east) features narrow, winding roads unsuitable for RVs—best for smaller vehicles.
From major cities: San Francisco and San Jose are both 2-2.5 hours north via US-101 and Highway 25. From Los Angeles, plan 4-5 hours north. Nearest airports are San Jose International (SJC) and San Francisco International (SFO), both 90-120 minutes from the park.
Salinas Access: Salinas RV rentals position you perfectly for Pinnacles, located one hour southeast. Known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" and hometown of John Steinbeck, Salinas offers convenient access to Monterey wine country, coastal attractions, and the park's eastern entrance. This serves as an excellent base for combining national park exploration with Monterey Bay adventures.
San Jose Access: San Jose RV rentals provide easy access to Pinnacles via Highway 101 and Highway 25, approximately 90 minutes south. As Silicon Valley's heart, San Jose offers numerous rental options, major airport access, and serves as a convenient starting point for Bay Area weekenders heading to the Pinnacles for quick getaways.
Located 90 minutes northwest of Pinnacles, Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA is a coastal resort that offers 200+ sites with various hookup options. Features: heated pool/hot tub, KOA Fun Train, bike rentals, outdoor cinema, climbing walls, Zorb ball, jumping pillow, dog park, weekend pancake breakfasts. Perfect for exploring Pinnacles while enjoying Santa Cruz beaches and Monterey Bay attractions.
Situated in seaside Moss Landing, this intimate 46-site campground offers 50-amp hookups, water/sewer, cable/WiFi. Excellent for marine lovers—50 miles from Pinnacles. Harbor wildlife viewing, kayaking in Elkhorn Slough, and fresh seafood restaurants nearby. Advance reservations are essential due to the small size.
Pinnacles Campground is the only campground within park boundaries, situated on the eastern side surrounded by valley oak, blue oak, and coast live oak trees. Open year-round with 134 campsites, offering 36 RV sites (84-120) with 30-amp electric hookups. Maximum RV length is 35 feet—verify specific site dimensions when booking.
Camping fees: $59/night RV sites (plus $12 weekend surcharge), $43/night tent sites (plus $12 weekend surcharge). All sites include a fire ring and picnic table. Amenities: flush toilets, hot showers, seasonal pool (April-October), WiFi near store, well-stocked camp store, RV dump station (9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. only).
The campground features a seasonal creek with deer, wild turkeys, quail, and California condors regularly spotted. Ten canvas tent cabins available ($129-139/night). Reservations required 6 months in advance through Recreation.gov—book early for spring wildflower season. Raccoons are active at night—secure all food. Generators prohibited. Maximum stay is 14 days.
Birdwatching is a fairly common activity that visitors to Pinnicle National Park enjoy, thanks to the chance to search for some uncommon birds. These species include California Condor, the Canyon Wren, the California Thrasher, and even the Greater Roadrunner. If you’re quiet and attentive, you might be able to see them and maybe even get a picture before they disappear again.
There is only one trail that starts at Old Pinnacles Trailhead, and it goes from Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave. This trial is labeled to be moderate in difficulty level and totals around a five-and-a-half mile round trip. When you hike this trail, you’ll be able to see some impressive rock formations, including Machete Ridge and Balconies Cliff. Be sure to bring a flashlight when you go so you can safely navigate the caves.
There are four trails that start in the West Pinnacles area of the park, and if you’re looking for trails that loop around, you’ll find them here. You can take your pick from Balconies Cliffs-Cave Loop, Juniper Canyon Loop, North Wilderness Trail Loop, or High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop. The longest of all of these is North Wilderness Trail Loop, totaling just over nine strenuous miles. The shortest trail and the one most suited for beginners is Balconies Cliffs-Cave Loop that is around 2.5 miles long.
RV parking at Pinnacles is available at designated day-use areas on the east side, including Peaks View, Bear Gulch Day Use Area, and the Visitor Center. These lots fill quickly on weekends—arrive before 9:00 a.m. The park offers free shuttle service (seasonal, east side only) from the visitor center to Bear Gulch when parking reaches capacity. RVs are prohibited from the west entrance. If staying at Pinnacles Campground, park at your site and walk or bike to the trailheads approximately 2 miles away.
No public transportation serves Pinnacles directly. The nearest Amtrak and Greyhound stations are in Salinas, 50 miles northwest. Free seasonal shuttle operates between the visitor center and Bear Gulch on the east side during peak season.
Located between Salinas and Moss Landing, Salinas/Monterey KOA offers convenient access to Pinnacles (60 miles southeast) while positioning you near Monterey Bay. Features full-hookup sites with cable/WiFi, year-round heated pool, playground, dog park, large clubhouse with laundry and convenience store. Accommodates various RV sizes with pull-through and back-in sites. Nine miles from Salinas, ideal for combining Pinnacles with Monterey wine country, Laguna Seca racing, and coastal experiences.
Northwest of Pinnacles, Los Banos West/ I-5 KOA is a big-rig-friendly campground that accommodates RVs up to 90 feet with full hookups. Features 100+ sites in shaded areas, a crystal-clear pool, Texas-style grill. Cool breezes from San Luis Reservoir. Convenient stopover between Northern and Southern California with reservoir access for fishing, boating, and water sports.
Private options include Yanks RV Resort in Greenfield (40 miles), San Benito RV & Camping Resort in Paicines, Marina Dunes RV Park near Monterey Bay (60 miles), and Carmel by the River RV Park in Carmel Valley (70 miles). BLM lands like Williams Hill Recreation Area offer primitive camping for adventurous small-rig RVers.
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Looking to do some hiking from the West Pinnacles Contact Station? There are two trails to be found here, and both are probably the shortest trails in the entire park, making them ideal for children and elders. Pewitt Point trail is rated to be an easy hike that is less than a mile long. This trail will take you to some great overlooks, but come prepared for lots of bright sunshine as there is little shade. Jawbone Trail is a little longer at just over a mile and is rated easy to moderate.
At Pinnacles National Park, rock climbing is one of the most popular recreational activities. Climbing challenges range in levels of difficulty, so whether you’re new at climbing here or are an expert at it, there is something for you to enjoy. Just be sure that you come prepared to climb and follow all safety protocols. People that come to climb between January and July must check raptor advisories to avoid sensitive areas that may host nests, but that’s less of an issue if you come in the fall.
The mountains within Pinnacles National Park are beautiful all year round, but even more so in the winter as they become topped with glistening white snow. Don’t miss your opportunity to take a snapshot of its wintery perfection while you’re staying here at Pinnacles National Park. You can even do this from the windows of your car while you’re on the road or during one of the many hiking trails that will give you a glimpse of the snowy tops.
If you love to go hiking then visiting Pinnacle National Park is the perfect time to get out on the trails and enjoy some peace and quiet. By hiking around the park during the winter time you can see all the same breathtaking sights the park has on offer and you won't need to worry about the crowds and blistering heat. One thing to watch out for when hiking during the winter is the weather forecast, as it is the wet season and flooding can make some routes hazardous.
There are always different ranger programs happening within Pinnacle National Park, and attending them during your visit is a great way to learn a little more about the history, landscape, and wildlife of the park. Check the park’s event calendar to find out what programs are available during the winter time in order to make the most out of your visit to this awesome place.
If you are interested in bats you must check out Bear Gulch Cave or Balconies Cave. The cave provides a home to a colony of Townsend's big-eared bats, which is the largest maternity colony between San Francisco and Mexico. The opening and closing times of the cave is based strictly on the well-being of the resident bats. Winter is the time that the bats hibernate in the caves, so you’re more likely to see them hanging all around you when you visit during this time.
While it may be a challenge to get from one side of the park to the other, you can still take either of the roads that enter the park for a scenic drive. If you have a larger vehicle, you might want to avoid to the west side of Highway 146 as this road will not be suitable. Keep an eye out on your drive for any animal crossings and make sure that you are obeying the signed speed limits.
Pinnacles National Park is home to all kinds of diverse wildlife, much of which is rarely seen elsewhere, and some that are protected as sensitive species. Some more commonly seen creatures that call the park home include the bobcat, gray fox, bats, turkey vultures and the coast horned lizard. More elusive residents include mountain lions, western pond turtles and badgers.
Pinnacles National Park offers all kinds of opportunities for nature photographers thanks to its unique landscape, overlooks, caves, meadows, wildflowers, and wildlife. Taking pictures is a great way to preserve all the memories that you’ll make during your visit here, so grab your camera and get to shooting this incredible national park.
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There’s no better place to hold a family picnic than at Pinnacles National Park. Enjoy a great meal with great company while also being surrounded by wonderful scenery. There are many great areas for you to chose from, including three separate picnic areas where you will find amenities such as bathrooms, BBQs and toilets. If you do go picnicking be sure to dispose of all trash so that we can all help to keep this park looking beautiful.
There are five trails that start at Bear Gulch Day Use Area. The trail going from Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop is a great choice for bringing the kids along with you, and you’ll get to see all kinds of cool rock formations. You can also hike to the highest point in the park by taking Chalone Peak Trail, a trail totaling a nine-mile round trip if you keep going to South Chalone after making it to North Chalone.
If you’re staying at the campground, you won’t have to go very far to find trails around. In fact, there are three different trails you can take that start here, and all of them are labeled to be a moderate level of difficulty. Though labeled as moderate, they can be considerably lengthy trails. The shortest trail here is around two miles and is even wheelchair accessible. The longest one is 9.4 miles, so keep that in mind and be prepared when you head out.
Take a break from the sun and check out the great exhibits at the Bear Gulch Nature Center. This nature center is a great way to learn more about the park, and the movie that plays throughout the day is especially informative. If you have any specialized questions you can ask the ranger on duty. Check out the tactile map of the Pinnacles Monument, along with other information about the park’s features, habitats and history.
If you need to escape the heat of Pinnacles National Park in the summer, step into the air conditioned Campground Store. Having a store located within the park is a really handy feature that will hopefully mean you won't have to leave to find what you are looking for. Common things sold at the store include food, water, and souvenirs, which would be a great present for you to take back home with you.
Some visitors to Pinnacle National Park love to immerse themselves in all of the information possible about the park. If this is you and you are looking for an engaging and educational experience, participate in one of a number of ranger programs. In the summer, you can join a group for a night hike, or even go to a star party. Try participating the night time activities that are on offer so that you can escape the heat of the day and still explore the park while learning.
There is nothing like looking up in a light pollution-free area and taking in the sights of the distant stars and planets. While it might be too hot for you to enjoy all of the park during the day in the summertime, you can still get lots of enjoyment at night. Stargazing is a family-friendly activity that allows kids to use their imagination while reminding adults about how amazing the world is. If you are looking to improve your stargazing experience we recommend investing in a pair of binoculars.
While the park may not have any natural bodies of water, there is a swimming pool located at the Pinnacles Campground that is a welcome relief from the weather. Going for a dip can be a great way to cool off on a hot day, just be sure to wear plenty of sun block. The pool is typically open from mid-April to late September, and closes for the fall.
