Pinnacles National Monument

Pinnacles National Monument

Things To Do

Hiking Trails
There are over 30 miles of hiking trails at Pinnacles National Monument, ranging from easy, flat walks to more challenging, all-day hikes. Please remember to carry and drink plenty of water, especially during the hot summer months.

Camping
Pinnacles Campground is now within the boundaries of pinnacles National Monument, and is managed by the park. A reservations system is in the works, and should be available by the end of December. Tent, RV, and group sites are available.

Rock Climbing
There are hundreds of routes on both sides of the park. If you've never climbed at Pinnacles, be sure to read our climber's safety advisory. You'll also want to check our raptor advisory page for information on routes that are under adisory to protect nesting prairie and peregrine falcons.

Talus Caves
There are two talus caves at Pinnacles: the Bear Gulch Cave is closer to the east parking areas, and the Balconies Cave is closer to the west entrance. Check the status of the caves before you plan your visit.

Ranger Programs
Guided hikes, ranger talks, and evening campfire programs are offered each spring on the east side of the park. Night programs are occasionally offered on Fridays in spring and summer.

Talus Caves

Information About the Seasonal Opening of the Bear Gulch Cave
The Bear Gulch Cave provides a home to a colony of Townsend's big-eared bats as they hibernate in winter and raise their young in summer. Townsend's big-eared bats are listed as a "sensitive species" by the state of California, and we are required to protect them. The colony in the Bear Gulch Cave is the largest maternity colony between San Francisco and Mexico.

The lower half of the Bear Gulch Cave is usually open from mid-July through mid-May each year, depending on the presence of the colony of bats. The entire cave is closed from mid-May to mid-July while the bats are raising their young.

We have constructed a new gate that will allow us to open approximately half of the cave to the public through the winter while still protecting the hibernating colony of Townsend's big-eared bats. A new trail leaves the middle of the cave and connects with the Moses Spring Trail, which leads to the reservoir. 

As long as the hibernating colony of bats shows no signs of disturbance, we plan to keep over half of the Bear Gulch Cave open for almost ten months each year, from mid-July through mid-May. During especially warm springs, however, it's possible that the entire cave will be closed before mid-May if the maternity colony is present.

The entire cave will continue to be closed through late spring and early summer for pupping season, from mid-May through Mid-July. The entire Bear Gulch Cave will also be open twice a year for at least one week and up to four weeks each March and October, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.

Schedule of the Seasonal Opening of the Bear Gulch Cave
These dates may change if the colony of bats changes its breeding patterns or shows signs of disturbance.

March The lower half of the cave may be open for the full month. The entire cave is open for at least a week, usually the last week of the month. The entire cave may also open earlier, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.
April 1 - mid-May The lower half of the cave may be open.
Mid-May - mid-July The entire cave will be closed to protect the colony of bats as they raise their young.
Mid-July - September 31 The lower half of the cave may be open.
October The entire cave is open for at least a week, usually the last week of the month. The entire cave may also open earlier, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.
Nov. 1 - end of Feb. The lower half of the cave may be open.