Pinnacles
National Park
Welcome!
Some 23 million years ago, multiple volcanoes erupted, flowed, and slid to form a unique landscape. Journey through chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon bottoms. Hike inside rare talus caves and emerge to towering rock spires teeming with life: prairie and peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and the inspiring California condor.
Gallery
Explore the Park
Located in central California, near the San Andreas Fault, Pinnacles National Park is named for its spiraling rock formations, believed to be remnants of the extinct Neenach Volcano. Since 2003, the park has released captive-bred condors as part of its participation in the California Condor Recovery Program. The park’s 32 miles of trails make for excellent hiking and provide access to geological formations, spectacular vistas, and wildland communities. The park preserves many species of animals and birds, including a colony of Townsend’s big-eared bats in Bear Gulch Cave, which is closed for part of the year to protect the bats while they raise their young. A remarkable four hundred species of bees reside in the park, marking one of the most diverse bee populations in the world. Visitors enjoy the beauty of animal, bird, insect, and plant life—more than 80% of the park’s plants are in bloom from March to May, making for a breathtaking adventure for spring visitors.
Stories from Pinnacles
WNPA has provided more than
$136 million
in aid to our partner parks to fund educational programs, initiatives, and scientific research
Kids in Parks
National parks are places where kids can dream up great adventures! Taking in amazing scenery. Testing out new skills. Exploring places kids may have only heard about. But most importantly, creating new memories with friends and family.
Stories from all parks
Our public lands are our public commons. They belong to all of us as part of our natural and cultural heritage. They remind us of a larger world that has existed long before the arrival of humans and will survive long after we are gone. –Terry Tempest Williams, Author & Conservationist
Related Parks
Bring the Parks Home
When you can’t get to a national park for a visit, experience it from the comfort of your home. WNPA’s online store is packed with ranger-approved park collectibles, books, toys, and clothing. Shop for a special item.
