Trailie
Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Pinnacles National Park plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Explore this park
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky spires and deep canyons. Visitors can explore diverse environments, from chaparral and oak woodlands to the cool, shaded depths of canyon floors.
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Pinnacles National Park page on nps.gov
Pinnacles National Park has a Mediterranean climate with hot, 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.
are hot with temperatures above 100 degrees.
are cooler with highs in the 60s.
Big swings in temperature occur between day and night, year round.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or more people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-15 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational puposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00This entrance fee is for commercial trous of vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the sevice. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.00This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle up to 15 passengers to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$30.00The charge for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $30. This entrance fee is for commercial tours of one or more people traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles, scooters, or similar motorized vehicles with up to 4 total passengers to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. It is valid for 1-7 days to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.00Non-commercial groups traveling in vehicles that have a capacity of 16 passengers or more pay $15 per person up to the maximums listed for commercial groups with comparable passenger capacity ($40 or $100). People 15 years old or younger, anyone with a pass that may be used for park entry, and drivers hired for transportation only are exempt from the per person fee.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
FreeSchool groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.
East Side Entrance
Entrance to the east side of Pinnacles National Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays.
West Side Entrance
The west entrance to the park offers access to trails such as Prewett Point, Balconies, and Juniper Canyon. Note: this one-lane road is narrow and winding. Oversize vehicles should enter the park on the east side.
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00The Pinnacles Annual Pass is available to U.S citizens and residents only. It is valid only at Pinnacles and may be purchased online or in person. It is valid for 12 months from purchase month. This pass admits up to two motorcycles (including passengers), or up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle to Pinnacles National Park.
Common questions
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
No park-wide entry reservation is required for Pinnacles. Cave tours, campgrounds, or activity passes may still need advance booking — see Overview on this page for fees, hours, and what to book ahead.
