Pinnacles National Park, National park in San Benito County, United States.
Description
Pinnacles National Park is a national park in San Benito County east of Salinas Valley in Central California. The eroded volcanic remnants form rock spires and cliffs across a mountainous landscape, offering hikers narrow gorges and rocky summits.
History
President Theodore Roosevelt designated the territory as a national monument in 1908, and it gained national park status in January 2013. Volcanic activity shaped the rocks about 23 million years ago, while tectonic shifts moved them from their original location south of the park.
Culture
The Chalon and Mutsun groups of the Ohlone people lived in this territory and left stone tools within the current park boundaries. Their traces appear at several spots along the trails, where visitors can find signs of earlier settlements.
Practical
The park divides into eastern and western sections connected only by hiking trails, with no through road between them. A campground sits in the eastern half near the visitor center, and most trails require moderate to demanding fitness because of elevation and rocky terrain.
Did you know?
The volcanic formations contain talus caves that shelter 13 bat species and serve as nesting grounds for California condors. Some of these caves remain dark and cool year-round, while the condors nest on rocky ledges above the peaks.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (San Benito County).
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
19.2 km
Pinnacles National Forest
3.3 km
Odd Fellows Hall
24.8 km
Mission Soledad Museum
19.2 km
Bear Gulch Reservoir
2.6 km
Juniper Canyon Trail
3.2 km
Balconies Trail
3.5 kmHain Wilderness
2.2 km
Bear Valley School
5.5 km
Chalone Peak Lookout
5.1 kmWest Visitor Contact Station
5.4 km
Moses Spring Trailhead
1.8 kmMoses Spring Trail
2 km
Old Pinnacles Trailhead
1.1 kmPinnacles Visitor Center
2 kmHawkins Peak
2.7 kmDivide Canyon
10.2 kmPinnacles East Entrance District
1.4 kmThe Bluff
22.1 kmResurrection Wall
3.6 kmJackass Canyon
9.2 kmFrog Canyon
1.4 kmRio Theater
16 kmBear Gulch Nature Center
1.4 kmHigh Peaks Trailhead (Southernmost)
1.8 kmTelescopes
1.9 kmCondor Gulch Overloook
2.3 kmTeaching Rock
2.2 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes