Pinnacles Campground

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles Campground is located in the unique Pinnacles National Park, 32 miles south of Hollister, California.

The park encompasses 26,000 acres of spectacular rock formations and remnants of an extinct 23 million-year old volcano.

Hiking and rock climbing are very popular activities in Pinnacles, as is watching for the majestic California condor overhead. Pinnacles National Park is a nesting place for the endangered soaring bird, the largest in North America.

Pinnacles Campground is located on the eastern side of the park and is open year-round. It offers family and group tent sites, as well as RV sites with electric hookups. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Showers are available. A general store with basic foods and camping supplies is located on-site. A swimming pool is located within the campground and is open from April through September.

Need to Know

First come, first served sites are NOT available at this location.
Entrance fee: NPS entrance fee of $35 per vehicle is required and valid for seven days; Interagency passes are accepted.

Campground Store & Office Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m, seven days per week.

Quiet Hours: are from 10pm to 6am.
Campsite check-in time: is 1pm and check out is 11am.
Tent Cabin check-in time: is 3pm and check out is 11am.

If you are ariving late or would like to checkin online you can do so here - Online Check-In
Tent/RV Sites: Six people, three tents and two vehicles or one vehicle and one trailer or RV/Motor home.

Group sites: 20 people, five vehicles max. No RV’s or trailers allowed.

Any self-contained vehicle designed for sleeping is considered an RV/Motor home. Extra vehicles MUST be left in the overnight parking lot.

Social Trails: Avoid walking through other campsites, creek beds, and closed areas.

Lighting: Party lights, disco lights, Christmas lights, travel trailer parking lights, any decorative lighting must be turned off starting at 10:00pm and ending at 6:00am

Parking: All vehicles and bicycles must stay on paved surfaces. Where parking pads are provided, vehicles must be parked with all wheels on the pad and may not extend into the traffic lane or into the campsite. All vehicles must be parked at thier respective campsites in front of the parking stops. Moving parking stops, driving beyone them or parking in another area/site will result in a ticket from NPS. If your vehicle does not fit in your site you MUST park it in the overflow parking area bhiend the store.

Wastewater: should be carried to toilets for disposal. Washing dishes/clothing and brushing teeth at water spigots is prohibited.
RV Sites: have 120v/ 30-amp service; Bring appropriate adapters if needed; Tent and group sites have no hook-ups. Generators are not allowed at any time in any site.
Swimming pool: is open 4/1 to 10/31, weather permitting.

Pets: MUST NEVER be left unattended. Pets are allowed on leash in the campground but not on hiking trails.
Individual Tent/RV sites: MAX six people, three tents and two vehicles or one vehicle and one trailer or RV/Motor home. Any self contained vehicle desiged for sleeping is considered an RV/Motor home. A tow vehicle plus a trailer counts as two vehicles.
Group Sites: Max twenty people and five vehicles. No trailers or RV's motor homes allowed in group sites. Any self contained vehicle desiged for sleeping is considered an RV/Motor home.
TENT CABINS: YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN BEDDING. Your key will be provided to you when you checkin. If you arrive AFTER 5PM your key will be in the LOCKBOX outside your cabin. Please check and write down the LOCK COMBINATION which is listed in the reservation details in your RECREATION.GOV account. You must know the code to access your cabin after 5pm. If you need help please call the campground before 5pm on 831-200-1722 or recreation.gov on 877-444-6777 before 9pm.
Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more. No gathering of firewood is allowed. Firewood is available for purchase at the camp store from 930am to 5pm.
During periods of high fire danger: ALL open fires prohibited; Wood / gas fires and charcoal / gas grills are not allowed, in the campground or anywhere else in the park.

      Propane fire pits are open flames and are prohibited.

      No smoking on trails.

      No fires outside designated camping and picnic areas.

      Hanging lights from trees and park vegetation is also prohibited.

      Protected burner camp stoves are permitted for immediate cooking only, and only in designated
camping and picnic areas.

Please check Pinnacles NPS Website to stay up to date on fire restrictions.

When campfires are permitted, firewood is available for purchase. Please check Pinnacles National Park website before your arrival to stay up to date on campfire restrictions, alerts, trail closures and any other operation changes.
Dump station: is available for registered guests.
Trees: All trees, even when healthy and well-maintained, can pose a natural hazard of falling limbs. Visitors assume responsibility for any property damage, injury or other circumstances that may result from these hazards.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged Property: Pinnacles Recreation Company is not responsible for loss or to property due to fire, theft, accident or any other cause.
Please watch these videos prior to your arrival to help plan your trip and protect wildlife during your stay:

How to Plan for Zero Waste Camping

How to Do Camp Dishes

How to Properly Store Trash and Food

Natural Features

The campground is situated in a rolling landscape dotted with shady Valley Oak, Blue Oak and Coast Live Oak trees. A gentle, seasonal creek runs through the grounds.

Springtime finds Pinnacles bursting with a wide variety of vivid wildflowers that line every trail and fill entire meadows with color.

Deer and wild turkeys roam the area, and condors can be viewed from within the campground. The park ranges in elevation from 824 feet along South Chalone Creek to 3,304 feet atop North Chalone Peak.

Recreation

Pinnacles National Park has more than 30 miles of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Many trails intersect, allowing for a short loop or a longer all-day hike. Popular destinations include Bear Gulch Reservoir, High Peaks and the Balconies area. The Bench Trail provides direct access to the park from the campground.

Visitors enjoy exploring Balconies Cave and Bear Gulch Cave, which houses a large colony of Townsend's big-eared bats. Bring a flashlight!

Rock climbers flock to Pinnacles for the variety of climbing routes that range from easy top-ropes to the multi-pitch climbs along Machete Ridge.

Contact Information

Mailing

2400 HWY 146 Paicines CA 95043

Physical

2400 Hwy 146 Pinnacles Area Paicines CA 95043

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 831-200-1722 OR GO TO WWW.VISITPINNACLES.COM

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Pinnacles National Park is located 32 miles south of Hollister, CA on Hwy 25 and 29 miles northeast of King City, CA on Hwy 25. Campground is located on the east side of Pinnacles National Park off Hwy 25.

Available Campsites

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