Pinnacles National Park Foundation

06/10/2026

Peel your eyes off the scenery occasionally to read the instruction manuals 🤓

06/04/2026

Bear Gulch Cave remains closed. Get your cave fix at Balconies Cave instead—and bring a headlamp!

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05/28/2026

Thursday it'll rain. Saturday it'll be crowded. Could this Friday be the perfect day for a visit to Pinnacles National Park? 😮

05/22/2026

As we're sure everyone is aware, this coming weekend is the Memorial Day holiday weekend. As has happened in the past, this weekend typically is very busy. It is not uncommon for long waits just to enter the park. These waits affect both the east and west entrances. Once the park's nine parking areas fill, the rangers will close the entry roads and limit access until parking spaces become available. There is no set time when this occurs but likely by mid-morning.

Additionally, the park is operating one shuttle bus on the east side and only on Saturdays. The is no shuttle bus on the west side. And, Monday is an entrance free day which usually has less visitors than Saturday and Sunday.

There is no time that you need to leave the park once you arrive, the gates always stay open for exiting on the east side. And on the west side, the entrance gate closes at 8:00 PM but the automatic gate will allow you to leave anytime you like.

All this being said, if you plan to visit the park this weekend and would like to assure parking without a long wait, we recommend arriving early, like by 9:00 AM or later in the afternoon around 3:00 PM or later. Or, even plan for attending on Monday or other days of the week.

Please enjoy the park this weekend by taking your favorite hike!

And, Go Hike!

05/18/2026

As of May 15, 2026, the lower section of the Bear Gulch has been closed in an effort to protect the maternal colony of bats inside the cave. With the upper section of the cave being already closed, this is now a complete closure of the Bear Gulch cave system. This is a seasonal closure, and the lower section of the cave is expected to reopen in the middle of July.

For hiking to the Bear Gulch Reservoir from the Bear Gulch Trailhead, the cave can be bypassed by taking the Moses Spring Trail that passes over the top of the cave.

Go Hike.

05/16/2026

Calling all area cyclists: join us for this amazing event!

The inaugural Condor Gravel Challenge, hosted by Visit San Benito, celebrates gravel riding, expansive landscapes, and the natural beauty of San Benito County.

Inspired by the legendary Condor Classic, which drew more than 1,000 riders nationwide, the event returns with the same spirit of adventure. San Benito County—home to Pinnacles National Park—remains one of California’s hidden gems along the Central Coast.

The goal is simple: welcome riders from near and far to experience this unique destination while supporting tourism in San Benito County.

Learn more by visiting: CondorGravelChallenge.com

05/14/2026

Pinnacles National Park is hiring for a visitor services intern (paid position) -- dm for info if interested!

04/21/2026

Jurassic Park, home to pterodactyls? No, Pinnacles National Park, home to condors!

04/18/2026

It’s a beautiful Saturday at Pinnacles - and it’ll be a very busy day in the park! Expect a long entry line and full parking lots.

04/14/2026

Now that the rain has stopped (for now??) consider a visit to Pinnacles on a weekday to avoid the weekend congestion! Skip work, your boss will understand. 😁