Reservoir Overlook Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Pinnacles routinely hits triple digits from May through September, and this trail has minimal shade on the climb. Summer afternoon attempts are genuinely dangerous — heat exhaustion cases spike here every year.
Watch for rattlesnakes on the trail, especially in spring and fall when they're most active. They like to sun themselves on exposed rock sections in the morning.
Trail Details
- 1
Hit this trail in the first two hours after the east entrance opens — the morning light catches the spires at their most dramatic, and the reservoir surface is usually glass-still before afternoon winds pick up.
- 2
The west side of Pinnacles has no water sources and limited facilities, so top off bottles before you leave the visitor center or campground. There is nothing to refill from along this route.
- 3
Bring a longer lens or binoculars — the reservoir attracts herons and the occasional peregrine falcon diving from the spires, and the overlook puts you at the perfect vantage to watch without disturbing them.
