Pinnacles National Park is a true hidden gem. Tucked away in the central heart of California, Pinnacles is home to a variety of rugged landscapes and stunning rock formations. Although…
Pinnacles National Park is a true hidden gem. Tucked away in the central heart of California, Pinnacles is home to a variety of rugged landscapes and stunning rock formations. Although it is one of the country’s youngest National Parks, Pinnacles’ history goes back many millions of years to a time when numerous volcanoes formed the spires, caves, and canyons that make it such a unique and beautiful place.
Many nature lovers will agree that exploring wild places like Pinnacles National Park is best experienced on a camping trip. There’s no better way to bring closure to a day in the outdoors than a night under the stars. Since camping options are limited and Pinnacles is still an off-the-beaten-track destination, it can be challenging to find good information on camping in Pinnacles National Park. That’s why we created this comprehensive guide so you can spend less time planning and more time in the great outdoors. Enjoy!
In This Post:
- Camping Inside Pinnacles National Park
- Campgrounds near Pinnacles National Park
- Dispersed Camping Near Pinnacles National Park
Camping Inside Pinnacles National Park
When it comes to camping inside Pinnacles National Park, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that backcountry and dispersed camping are not permitted anywhere within the park. The good news? It’s still possible to enjoy camping in the lovely and convenient Pinnacles Campground, and those looking for more remote dispersed camping have a few good options nearby.
Pinnacles Campground
# of sites: 134
Type: Tent, RV, Group, Glamping
Fees: $35 (Standard tent), $45 (RV w/electric), $75-$110 (group) $119 (glamping cabin)
Located near the Visitor’s Center on the East side of the park, Pinnacles Campground offers a range of camping options. There are numerous tent pitches (many with good shade, 6 people max per site), RV sites with electric hookups, glamping cabins, and group sites that can accommodate up to 20 people.
There is a handy campground store on the premises that offers basic food and supplies. A shuttle runs from the campground to the Bear Gulch Nature Center and nearby trailheads.
Amenities:
- Fire ring
- Picnic tables
- Food storage box
- Flushing toilets
- Hot showers ($0.50/3 minutes)
- Wifi
- Swimming pool
- General store
Reservations
Due to the limited camping options at Pinnacles, reservations are recommended during the peak wildflower season (March-May), on weekends, and during holidays. Additionally, it is advisable to book in advance if you are wanting an RV site (only 20 total), glamping cabin (6 total), or group site (14 total). Group sites can be booked up to 12 months in advance, while all other sites can be booked up to 6 months in advance.
Reservations can be made at recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777
What to bring on your Pinnacles National Park Camping trip
Preparing for your Pinnacles National Park camping trip involves more than deciding which campground best fits your needs. There is also the important job of making sure you have all the right gear you’ll need to ensure a great trip.
We’re sure you’ll already have the essentials like a great tent, sleeping bags, and camp chairs, but below are some of our favorite items specifically for camping in Pinnacles National Park:
- Coleman Camping Stove – This camping classic is perfect for whipping up classic campsite dinners.
- Pop-up canopy – The sun in this part of California can get intense! You won’t find much shade at the campground, so we recommend bringing a portable shade structure to create your own!
- Portable water container – Save yourself the hassle of constant trips to the water tap and bring one of these.
- Cooler – The hot summer temperatures make a good cooler essential. We can’t recommend Yeti enough!
- Pinnacles National Park Map – An essential for any trip, a good map is a must.
- Pinnacles Guidebook – A good guidebook will provide insights and information to help you plan your perfect trip to Pinnacles. We like this hiking guide from Falcon Guides.
Pets
Pets are allowed on the paved areas of the campground and must be kept on a leash. You cannot bring your pet on any of the trails in Pinnacles National Park.
Fires
Fires are permitted inside designated fire rings, depending on the time of year. During times of high fire danger, campfires and smoking are prohibited throughout the park (including inside the campground), although propane cooking stoves are typically allowed. Information on current conditions and fire bans can be found on this website.
Wildlife
Pinnacles National Park is a renowned habitat for the critically endangered California Condor. There is a viewing area with telescopes at the Pinnacles Campground; your best chance of seeing one of these beautiful giants is during their evening feeding time. More commonly seen in the campground are racoons, squirrels, and numerous smaller birds, such as the scrub jay. It is imperative that visitors not feed the wildlife, and be sure to keep all of your food inside your car or in the box provided at your campsite.
Campgrounds Near Pinnacles National Park
Despite the limited options for camping within the boundaries of Pinnacles National Park, there are plenty of good campgrounds in the surrounding area. For easy access to the East side of the park, the towns of Hollister and King City are each about 30 miles and 40 minutes’ drive away. The west side of the park is more remote, requiring about an hour’s drive (38 miles) from the nearest town of Soledad.
Below we’ve shared our top picks and tips for the best campgrounds near Pinnacles National Park:
Campgrounds Near Hollister, California
Hollister Hills SVRA
For those looking for a more rustic option near Hollister, the Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area offers basic camping options in several campgrounds on the 6,800-acre site. Keep in mind that this is a recreation area for 4WD vehicles and ATVs, so don’t expect it to be particularly quiet.
# of Sites: Varies by campground. (There are 7 campgrounds and 2 remote sites total)
Type: Tents, RVs (no hookups)
Fees: $10/night
Amenities:
- Flushing toilets
- Showers (not available at all campgrounds)
- Water
- Firepit
- Picnic tables
Fires: Yes, but seasonal restrictions may apply.
Pets: Yes
Reservations: N/A. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Get there early, as it fills up most weekends.
San Benito RV and Camping Resort
Located 14 miles south of Hollister, this is one of the closest camping options to Pinnacles National Park (about a 25-minute drive). The San Benito RV and Camping Resort is a big, busy, well-appointed RV park that doesn’t permit tent camping.
# of Sites: 596
Type: RV, Cabins
Fees: RV sites ($68/night and up), Cabins ($130/night-$300/night)
Amenities:
- Toilets
- Showers
- Clubhouse with Wifi
- Pool/Hot tub
- Playground
- Laundry
- Water
Fires: In barbeques only.
Pets: Allowed for RV camping, but not inside cabins.
Reservations: Recommended for busy weekends. Reservations can be made HERE.
San Benito RV and Camping Resort Website
Campgrounds Near King City, California
San Lorenzo County Park
Conveniently located near the center of King City, San Lorenzo County Park offers a wide variety of campsite types in a shady campground with good facilities.
# of Sites: 100
Type: RV, Tent, Group
Fees: Full Hook-Up ($45/night) Water/Electric or Water-Only ($40/night)
Amenities
- Toilets
- Showers
- Water
- Barbeques
- Picnic tables
- Laundry
- Internet kiosk
- Putting green
Fires: Barbeques only.
Pets: Yes (must be kept on leash), additional fee required.
Reservations: Recommended for busy holidays and weekends. Reservations can be made HERE.
San Lorenzo County Park Camping Website
Campgrounds Near Soledad, California
Arroyo Seco Campground
Nestled on a wooded hillside near two small lakes and a river, this rustic campground offers a good option for campers who want to appreciate their natural surroundings. There are some spots that can accommodate smaller RVs, but no hookups are available.
# of Sites: 33
Fees: $30/night
Amenities:
- Toilets (some flush, some vault)
- Drinking water
- Showers (coin-operated)
- Picnic table
- Firepit with grill
Fires: Yes, but seasonal restrictions may apply.
Pets: Yes, must be kept on leash.
Reservations: Recommended. This is a small campground that gets heavy use throughout the year. Reservations can be made HERE.
Arroyo Seco Campground Website
Yanks RV Resort
Yanks RV Resort is well-positioned for easy access to either the western or eastern entrance to Pinnacles National Park. This is an RV-only campground and tents are not permitted.
# of Sites: 79
Fees: $51-71/night
Amenities:
- Full hook-ups
- Wifi & cable TV
- Picnic tables
- Barbeques
- Pool/hot tub
- Toilets
- Showers
- Dog park
- Propane filling station
- Laundry
- Store
- Fitness center
Fires: Yes
Pets: Yes, except for pitbulls, rottweilers, & dobermans.
Reservations: Recommended for busy holidays and weekends. Reservations can be made HERE.
Dispersed Camping Near Pinnacles National Park
There are a couple of good options for dispersed camping near Pinnacles National Park. The Laguna Mountain BLM area is the closest option to the park, requiring a roughly 50-minute drive to reach the East entrance. The Condon Peak BLM area is just a bit further, about one hour’s drive from Pinnacles National Park’s East entrance. While these camping options may be a bit further than some of the other campgrounds in the area, they provide an affordable and private alternative to the busier RV parks.
Laguna Mountain BLM Recreation Area
There are plenty of secluded spots to be found off any of the roads in the Laguna Mountain area (be sure to read and follow the camping regulations on the website). Stargazers will enjoy the dark night skies here, and hikers should make a short detour to check out one of the waterfalls in the area. Keep in mind that there are no restrooms, water, or trash facilities for dispersed campers. There are also two primitive campgrounds with level spaces to accommodate RV’s, although there are no hook-ups.
# of Sites: Varies
Fees: Free
Amenities:
- None in dispersed spots
- Campgrounds have vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables
Fires: Seasonal Restrictions may apply
Pets: Yes
Reservations: Not available. Get there early on weekends to find a good spot.
Condon Peak BLM Recreation Area
Condon Peak Recreation Area is another good option for dispersed camping near Pinnacles National Park, although there are a few drawbacks to consider. There is a $5 vehicle permit required for both camping and day use, and Condon Peak is a bit further from Pinnacles than Laguna Mountain. Additionally, the area is quite busy during the summer hunting season. That being said, there are many good dispersed spots and a primitive campground suitable for tents and RVs.
# of Sites: Varies
Fees: $5 vehicle permit (good for one week and must be purchased on recreation.gov)
Amenities:
- None in dispersed spots
- Campgrounds have vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables
Fires: Seasonal Restrictions may apply
Pets: Yes
Reservations: Not available. Get there early on summer weekends to find a good spot.
Conclusion
There’s no shortage of activities to enjoy in Pinnacles National Park. You can watch for the endangered California Condor and other birds of prey, explore the fabulous network of hiking trails, choose from excellent climbing routes suited for a range of ability levels and styles, or venture into one of the incredible talus caves (no special experience or equipment required!) Your next adventure is waiting, and it all starts with the perfect basecamp. Happy camping!
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