Ultimate Guide to Pinnacles National Park: RV Camping, Hiking & Wildlife [with video!]
- Victoria
- Apr 27
- 5 min read
Why Now's the Perfect Time to Visit Our National Parks
While this is being written (Spring 2025), the U.S. National Park System is facing budget cuts and staffing shortages, which makes now the perfect time to get out and support these incredible places. We’ve visited two national parks in the last three weeks (See our Guide to Yosemite National Park here!), and Pinnacles marks our 17th national park overall—so yeah, we’re definitely doing our part! Plus, any excuse for another road trip, right?
Pinnacles National Park may not be as well-known as Yosemite or Joshua Tree, but it’s an underrated gem for hikers, rock climbers, and wildlife lovers. On our recent visit, we camped inside the park, tackled the incredible Condor Gulch to High Peaks Trail, explored the caves, and even spotted some rare California condors soaring overhead. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Pinnacles, including where to camp, what to do, and tips for making the most of your trip.
At a Glance Guide to Pinnacles National Park
Location: | Central California (near Hollister and Soledad) |
Park Size: | 26,606 acres |
Best Time to Visit: | Spring (wildflowers) or Fall (cooler temps) |
Entrance Fee: | $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days) or $80 America the Beautiful Pass (unlimited for 1 year) |
Campground: | Pinnacles Campground (134 sites, RVs up to 70 feet, electric hookups) |
Best Hike: | Condor Gulch to High Peaks Trail (5.3-mile loop, moderate-strenuous) |
What Makes It Unique: | Home to endangered California condors, ancient talus caves, and rugged volcanic rock formations |
Fun Fact: | Pinnacles became a national park in 2013! |
Getting to Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is located in Central California, about 2 hours south of San Jose and 2.5 hours from San Francisco. Unlike most national parks, it has two separate entrances that do not connect by road:
East Entrance (near Hollister) – Best for camping and accessing the Bear Gulch area.
West Entrance (near Soledad) – Primarily for day visitors and access to the Balconies Caves.
Park Fees & Hours
Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle (valid for 7 days)
Annual Pass: Or, better yet, grab the America the Beautiful Pass for $80, which gets you into all U.S. national parks. You can buy one at the entrance, or online here. I would suggest buying it at the entrance since the pass is good for one year from purchase.
Hours: The park is open year-round, but summer temperatures can be extreme.
Where to Stay: RV & Campground Info
Pinnacles Campground
If you’re RV camping, Pinnacles Campground is your best (and only) option inside the park. The campground has 134 tent and RV sites, and unlike most national parks, it can accommodate RVs up to 70 feet long.
Cost: $59 per night
Amenities: Electric hookups, showers, a swimming pool (seasonal)
Reservations: Book online in advance, especially in peak season
There are also boondocking options and campgrounds outside the park if you prefer more space.
Best Hike in Pinnacles: Condor Gulch to High Peaks Trail
If you only have time for one hike in Pinnacles, make it this one.
Distance: 5.3 miles round-trip (loop)
Elevation Gain: ~1,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
What to Expect
This trail has everything—breathtaking rock formations, narrow cliffside paths, crazy caves and some of the best condor-spotting opportunities in the park. It starts with a gradual climb along Condor Gulch Trail, leading to steep switchbacks and narrow ridges on High Peaks Trail. Some sections require using metal handrails to navigate steep drop-offs, making for an adrenaline-pumping experience (see the Steep & Narrows section below).
Bear Gulch Cave
One of your first sites on the trail is Bear Gulch Cave, one of Pinnacles’ two main cave systems. This seasonally open cave is home to endangered bats, so check closure dates before your visit. You'll need a headlamp or flashlight to explore the darker sections, and depending on the time of year, parts of the cave may be inaccessible to protect the bat colony.
Bear Gulch Reservoir
At the top of the caves, you'll reach Bear Gulch Reservoir, a peaceful spot surrounded by towering rock formations. This man-made reservoir was built to help control flash floods, but today, it’s a great place to take a break, enjoy the views, and even see some wildlife near the water.
Scout Peak
Just beyond Bear Gulch Reservoir, the trail climbs to Scout Peak, which sits at an elevation of 2,605 feet. This scenic overlook provides sweeping views of Pinnacles’ rugged landscape and is a great place to spot condors soaring above the cliffs. You can spot the Balconies and the West Entrance if you squint hard enough! It also serves as a resting point before tackling the steepest part of the hike.
Steep & Narrows Section
From Scout Peak, the real challenge begins. The Steep & Narrows Section of the High Peaks Trail features a series of steep rock-cut stairs, metal handrails, and narrow ridges with sheer drop-offs. This adrenaline-pumping section isn’t for the faint of heart, but it rewards hikers with some of the best panoramic views in the park. Be sure to take your time and use the handrails for safety.
Other Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park
1. Balconies Cave
If you want to explore another cave, Balconies Cave on the West Entrance side offers a darker, more rugged experience. Bring a headlamp or flashlight!
2. Rock Climbing
Pinnacles is a world-class climbing destination, known for its volcanic rock formations. There are plenty of climbing routes ranging from beginner to expert.
3. Wildlife Watching
The park is home to California condors, bats, deer, and a variety of birds. The California condor is one of the rarest birds in North America, with a wingspan of nearly 10 feet, making it the largest land bird on the continent. Once on the brink of extinction with only 27 condors left in the wild, conservation efforts have helped their numbers slowly recover. Pinnacles is one of the few places in the world where these birds have been reintroduced, and spotting one in flight is an unforgettable experience. Condors are easiest to spot near High Peaks Trail or the ridges by Scout Peak, where they soar on thermal updrafts, gliding effortlessly over the rugged landscape.
4. Stargazing
With minimal light pollution, Pinnacles is an amazing dark-sky location. Bring a blanket, lay back, and enjoy the Milky Way on a clear night. We caught a couple of amazing night-lapses on our go-pro that you can see in our full YouTube video!
Essential Tips for Visiting Pinnacles
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall have mild weather and wildflowers. Summers can be extremely hot.
What to Pack: A headlamp or flashlight for caves, plenty of water, and sturdy hiking shoes.
Safety Tips: Some trails are steep and narrow, so use handrails and be prepared for some scrambling.
Our Final Thoughts on Pinnacles National Park
We may have only done one hike, but it felt like we saw everything Pinnacles has to offer—caves, condors, steep climbs, and epic views. This is easily one of the most unique national parks in California, and we’d recommend it to any outdoor lover looking for a new adventure.
Watch Our YouTube Episode & Follow Our Adventures
🎥 Watch our full Pinnacles adventure below!
👉 And subscribe to our channel for more adventures here!
🌲 We’ve now visited 17 national parks! Check out our National Park Playlist on YouTube for full-length video guides on all of them.💬 What’s your favorite national park, or which one is at the top of your bucket list? Drop a comment—we’d love to hear from you!
📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (@ProjectRVLivingLost) for behind-the-scenes travel updates.
👍 Next blog post, we will be sharing our amazing natural hot springs adventures on Highway 395!
Keep exploring and stay lost! 🚐✨
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