Rate Pinnacles National Park
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Park
Operating Hours & Seasons
East Side Entrance
Entrance to the east side of Pinnacles National Park is always open.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Monday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Tuesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Wednesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Thursday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Friday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Saturday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
West Side Entrance
The west side entrance gate opens at 7:30 AM and closes automatically at 8:00 PM daily. Vehicles will still be able to exit the park after the gate closes.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:7:30 AM-8:00 PM
- Monday:7:30 AM-8:00 PM
- Tuesday:7:30 AM-8:00 PM
- Wednesday:7:30 AM-8:00 PM
- Thursday:7:30 AM-8:00 PM
- Friday:7:30 AM-8:00 PM
- Saturday:7:30 AM-8:00 PM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $15.00 – Private, Non-Commercial Vehicles (including motorcycles)
Valid for 7 days - $10.00 – Individual, Hike / Bicycle
Valid for 7 days - $10.00 – Organized, Non-Commercial Groups
Visitors 16 years and older (i.e. service organizations, scouts, church groups, and college/school clubs) in buses and vehicles with 16 passenger capacity or more. Valid for 7 days - $25.00 – Commercial Vehicle, 1 to 6 passenger capacity
7 days for original manifest - $40.00 – Commercial Vehicle, 7 to 25 passenger capacity
7 days for original manifest - $100.00 – Commercial Tour Bus or Motorcoach, 26 or more passenger capacity
7 days for original manifest
Entrance Passes:
- $0.00 – U.S. Military Annual Pass
Available to U.S. military members and dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Reserve, and National Guard members. Must be obtained in person at a Federal recreation site by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID (Form 1173). - $20.00 – Senior Inter-Agency Annual Pass
For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. May provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees. Does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires. - $25.00 – Pinnacles National Park Annual Pass
Admits the purchaser and their passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle or the pass holder and their companions when entry is by other means (i.e. foot, bicycle). Nontransferable, nonrefundable, and does not cover camping fees. - $80.00 – Annual Inter-Agency Pass
Can be obtained in person at a federal recreation site, or by calling 1-888-ASK USGS (1-888-275-8747), Ext. 3 (Hours of operation are: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Mountain time). Or online by visiting the USGS store. http://store.usgs.gov/ This Pass is non-transferable. - $80.00 – Senior Inter-Agency Lifetime Pass
For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. May provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees. Does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.
About
Born of Fire
Some 23 million years ago multiple volcanoes erupted, flowed, and slid to form what would become Pinnacles National Park. What remains is a unique landscape. Travelers journey through chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon bottoms. Hikers enter rare talus caves and emerge to towering rock spires teeming with life: prairie and peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and the inspiring California condor.
Directions
Pinnacles National Park is accessible through highway 101 for the West entrance, and highway 25 for the East entrance. From highway 101 you must pass through the City of Soledad to find highway 146 which will lead to West side of Pinnacles. To enter East Pinnacles you must find highway 25 through the City of Hollister coming from the North, and King City through Bitter Water Road (G-13) when coming from the South.
Visitor Centers
East Visitor Center
The East Visitor Center is located 30 miles south of Hollister off of Highway 25. It is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily. West Visitor Contact Station
The West Visitor Contact Station serves as the primary facility on the West Side of the park. Stop by to pay entrance fees, get hiking suggestions, and learn more about the park. It is open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily.
Weather
Pinnacles National Park has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers, and mild winters with moderate precipitation. The park is several miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. A wider variation in seasonal temperatures can be expected in the local area. On July or August day, daytime temperatures over 100° F are not uncommon, but a bright sunny day can turn into a very cold night.
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