I feel that Pinnacles National Park is the most unrelated NP in all of the US. The unique rock formations, the caves create by boulders giving you an intense perspective of scale, the protected breeding grounds of squeaky bats, and of course, the California Condors. Luckily, these 3 best hikes in Pinnacles National Park allow you to see it all.
In 2021 I got to witness condors take flight at sunset, and it will forever be a core memory of mine. I witnessed them mating, saw their nesting sites, and felt hope for our conservation efforts as a country.
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3 Best Hikes in Pinnacles National Park
Choosing the best hikes in Pinnacles National Park for you all comes down to what you want to see the most. There are the high peaks where Endangered California Condors nest, the flowing Balconies Cave, and Bear Gulch Cave and the resident bats.. not to mention such unique geology throughout it all.
Your hiking trails are determined by where you park your car. Since the hiking trails are essentially 3 big loops, you can create the perfect route for you that considers your starting location.
1. Condor Gulch & High Peaks
Starting: Bear Gulch Day Use Area (East)
Condor Gulch Trail
5.6 miles / 3.5 hours / moderate
Starting: Chaparral Picnic Area (West)
Juniper Canyon Trail
8.4 miles / 5 hours / difficult
What you’ll see:
– Maybe condors (evening, in high peaks)
– A lot of people
– Overlooks
The name of the area says it all – if I planned a perfect experience for you with hikes at Pinnacles National Park, it would be here, just before sunset, on a cool summer night. This is the busiest and most central location in Pinnacles, so you can expect to see a good amount of people. Parking runs low at Bear Gulch Day Use Parking, so plan to arrive early!!
Add just 0.4 miles onto the Condor Gulch Loop to see Bear Gulch Cave and Moses Spring... and maybe some rare endanged bats?
2. Balconies Cave
Starting: Chaparral Trailhead (West)
Balconies Cave Trail
2.6 miles / 1.5 hour / moderate
Starting: Old Pinnacles Trailhead (East)
Old Pinnacles Trail
5.3 miles / 2.5 hours / moderate
What you’ll see:
– Bats in the Cave
– Water flowing in the spring
– Hopefully an open gate
– East entrance: very few people
Balconies Cave is a really unique feature at Pinnacles NP, especially for the rock nerds and geologists (aka extreme rock nerds). The features are immense, the balancing and wedging of some boulders are unsettling – especially when they’re overhead – and the darkness adds an element of intensity.
Hiking through the caves can require some crawling, crouching, climbing, and general maneuvering to move through. That’s why it’s so fun – because you have to get into it, and it isn’t a simple walk through the park.
Water levels can get knee-deep in the spring, and can pose a risk. The gate may be locked during unsafe conditions, but prepared to get your feet wet! Check park closures on the official NPS website.
3. Bear Gulch Cave
Starting: Bear Gulch Day Use Area (East)
2.0 miles / 1.5 hours / easy
Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop Map
What you’ll see:
– endangered bats
– fresh water spring
– unique cavernous rocks
– many people
– a chill spot to swim in the reservoir!
Bear Gulch Cave is pretty easy to access, with parking close (and toilets), and well paved trails leading down through the cave, to the reservoir. The cave is cool because well, caves are cool in general, but, this one is special thanks to the roosting of big-eared Townsend Bats. From the Bear Gulch Cave, you should take the Rim Trail to get spectacular views, and a killer calf workout. This trail connects back with the
This is the largest maternal colony between San Francisco and Mexico, and was only discovered in 1997! Of the 23 species of bat in California, 14 of them live in Pinnacles NP. I wonder who else is occupying the park, still undiscovered…
To conserve this bat colony's breeding schedule: The entire cave is CLOSED mid-May through mid-July. The entire cave may be OPEN the last week of March. If the cave is closed, you may still access the reservoir by trails above the cave system.
BONUS: Pinnacles Greatest Hits Loop
Starting: Anywhere
Pinnacles Greatest Hits Loop Map
12.8 miles / 7+ hours / difficult
If you only have one day, aren’t afraid of getting after it, and want to see what this park has to offer – this trail is for you. It’s no joke, especially under the hot sun, carrying all of your food and water, but damn it will be worth it.
You don’t have to leave any stone left unturned, and can go from wherever you pull in! Get there early, and enjoy the views!
Conservation & Preservation at Pinnacles NP
Pinnacles National Park plays a crucial role in the ongoing recovery of the California Condor. These birds (with their impressive 9.5 foot wingspans) were once on the brink of extinction. In the 1980s, only 22 individuals remained in the wild. Thankfully, a captive breeding program and intensive conservation efforts have helped bring them back from the edge, with now more than 600 California Condors in the wild.
Pinnacles National Park is one of the few places where you can witness these majestic birds soaring through the sky. The park’s rugged cliffs and diverse landscape provide ideal habitat for condors, and its location within the condors’ historic range makes it a vital part of their recovery.
- Captive Breeding: Pinnacles works with other organizations to breed condors in captivity and release them into the wild. This has been instrumental in increasing the condor population.
- Habitat Restoration: The park is restoring and protecting condor habitat by removing invasive species, reducing human disturbance, and monitoring nesting sites.
- Lead Poisoning Prevention: A major threat to condors is lead poisoning, which they can get from ingesting bullet fragments in animal carcasses. Pinnacles is working to educate hunters about the use of non-lead ammunition and provides a safe food source for condors through a feeding program.
- Research and Monitoring: Scientists at Pinnacles track condor movements, monitor their health, and study their behavior to better understand their needs and protect them.
With binoculars you can see the tag color and number attached to each bird (check the wings). Record who you saw, and then check out their history with this database! See each birds’ age, sex, partner, parents, hatchlings, and where they were bred and released.
Logistics before you go to Pinnacles NP
- Two Entrance Locations: Know which entrance you want to go to based on your planned hikes at Pinnacles National Park. They are on opposite sides of the park, and 1.5 hours to drive between them. Many hikes start at Bear Gulch Day Use Area on the East side.
- Entrance Cost: It costs $30 to enter/vehicle, or for just $80 you can get the Keep America Beautiful and access state and national parks – unlimited!
- Accommodation: Campsites are available at Pinnacles Campground, North of the park, in nearby BLM land or car camping spots outside of Soledad. Click the link below for a full guide to camping near Pinnacles!
- If you’re interested in Condor Conservation, swing by the visitor’s center to learn before you explore!
Check out a full guide to the best camping near Pinnacles National Park.
What to Bring to Pinnacles NP
- Headlamp – if you’re going in the caves – you’ll want your hands free to traverse boulders
- More than enough water – It is dry, hot, and these hikes look much smaller than they are. Constant elevation change will have you sweating bullets, don’t put yourself at risk!
- Sun protection – The sun is HOT on this red rock
- Good Footwear – The hikes here look short and pretty easy, but you’re often traversing boulders, loose gravel, and steep steps up or down. Dress well!
- A warm jacket – no matter how hot it is all day, you’ll want to stay late to see them as much as possible.
- Binoculars – If condors are your thing (if they’re not yet, they will be), be binoculars to see the number tagged on each bird and get to know them 🙂
Summary - 3 Best Hikes at Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is the most underrated park in California (IMO). The conservation successes, unique rock structures, and central location makes it an ideal destination. The hikes at Pinnacles National Park are very doable, stunning, and can all be done in a day (2 days would be best)!
Which trail are you most excited to hike at this park?
