Pinnacles Campground
The Quick Take
Pinnacles Campground is the only game in town -- literally the sole campground in one of California's smallest and most underrated national parks. That exclusivity cuts both ways. On one hand, you get a well-equipped base camp with a camp store, a seasonal swimming pool (a godsend after hiking through the talus caves in July heat), and enough oak shade to keep your tent from becoming a convection oven. On the other hand, those hundred-plus sites fill fast on spring weekends when the wildflowers peak and the climbing crowd descends. The tent cabins are a smart middle ground for people who want the national park experience without hauling gear down Highway 146. Best for hikers who want to knock out the High Peaks and Bear Gulch Cave trails at dawn before the day-trippers arrive from the Bay Area.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 134 sites are reservable.
Book at Pinnacles LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
Campsites are situated in dirt, mostly compact but there may be loose soil and some sites are not level. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Fires:Please follow the fire restrictions depending on the season.
Pro Tips
Spring weekends from mid-March through April sell out months ahead -- book the moment the reservation window opens on recreation.gov. Midweek stays in the same season are dramatically easier to snag and the park is noticeably quieter.
Bear Gulch Cave is a half-mile walk from camp and often closes seasonally when Townsend's big-eared bats are roosting. Check the park's cave status page before your trip so you can pivot to the Balconies Cave trail on the west side instead.
Cell service is essentially nonexistent in the campground, so download your trail maps and any entertainment before you arrive. The camp store stocks basics and firewood, but bring your own serious groceries -- the nearest real grocery store is in Hollister or Soledad, both a solid thirty-minute drive.
Photos
NPS Photo/Kurt Moses
NPS Photo/Kelsey Frusetta
NPS Photo/Kelsey Frusetta