Fees & Passes

Plan Your Visit

Key Information

  1. Get an entrance pass

    All visitors must have one of these entrance passes:

    Pass Price
    Standard Pass $15.00–$30.00
    Annual Pass $55.00
    America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$80.00

    Help me choose an entrance pass

  2. Plan to go cashless

    This park does not accept cash.

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

I'm visiting... We recommend
This park, once Standard Pass
This park, multiple times Annual Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site America the Beautiful Pass

Entrance Passes

The Pinnacles Annual Pass is valid only at Pinnacles and may be purchased online or in person. You do not need an additional entrance pass if you already have a federal lands pass. It is valid for 12 months from purchase month. This pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle.

Standard Entrance Pass

$15.00–$30.00

A park entrance pass is required year-round at Pinnacles National Park. Visitors entering the park have multiple pass and entrance fee options available depending on how they arrive to the park. All vehicles must display a pass clearly visible through the windshield. Display federal lands passes, such as annual and military passes, on your dashboard with the signature and expiration date facing up. Passes are non-transferable and passholder must be present.

For Vehicles

If you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass.

Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses.

This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single vehicle to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling on a motorcycle, scooter, or similar motorized vehicle to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

For Individuals without a Vehicle

If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.

This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. It is valid for 1-7 days to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

For Organizations & Businesses

School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

Non-commercial groups traveling in vehicles that have a capacity of 16 passengers or more pay $15 per person up to the maximums listed for commercial groups with comparable passenger capacity ($40 or $100). People 15 years old or younger, anyone with a pass that may be used for park entry, and drivers hired for transportation only are exempt from the per person fee.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

The charge for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $30. This entrance fee is for commercial tours of one or more people traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-15 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational puposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

This entrance fee is for commercial trous of vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the sevice. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or more people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

Annual Entrance - Park

Annual Entrance - Park

$55.00

This pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. It covers the entrance fee to Pinnacles National Park for the pass signee and accompanying passengers entering in a single, non-commercial vehicle. Pinnacles Annual Passes are available at park entrance stations.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Pinnacles West Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Pinnacles East Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

A stack of all six versions of the America the Beautiful Pass

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

  • National Park Service
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service
  • US Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
One private vehicle fee
or
Four per person fees

Type Available to Price
Annual Pass Everyone $80.00
Senior Annual Pass US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old $20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old $80.00
Military Annual Pass Current US military and dependents Free
Military Lifetime Pass Gold Star Family members and veterans Free
Access Pass US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disability Free
4th Grade Pass US 4th graders Free
Volunteer Pass Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours Free

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

In Person (Recommended)

Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

Order Online, Receive by Mail

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

 
 

Buying a Pass in Person

In addition to Pinnacles National Park Site Pass in California - Recreation.gov, you can buy a park pass at:

  • East Entrance Station (near the city of Hollister off CA HWY 25) - debit or credit cards only
  • West Entrance Station (near Soledad off the 101) - debit or credit cards only
 

Electronic Passes

Purchase digital park entrance passes at Pinnacles National Park, California - Recreation.gov above at no additional cost. Buying your pass ahead of time may help expedite your trip into the park. Once purchased, passes for Pinnacles National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited or non-existent in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone (so you can access it even if there is no wi-fi or cell service) is highly recommended.

The America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, Military, or Senior pass, can be obtained online or at a park entrance station upon arrival.

 

Display Your Pass

Do you already have a park pass?

We encourage all visitors to bring one of the valid passes shown below or buy and print one of the four passes available online before you arrive at the park. Please review all pass purchase options and eligiblities described below.

A park entrance pass is required year round. All vehicles must display a pass clearly visible through the windshield. Display federal lands passes, such as annual and military passes, on your dashboard with the signature and expiration date facing up. Passes are non-transferable and passholder must be present.

 
 
 

 

Commercial Tour Group Fees

  • 1-6 Passenger Capacity $15 per passenger or $30, whichever is less
  • 7-15 Passenger Capacity $40.00
  • 16-25 Passenger Capacity $40.00
  • 26 + Passenger Capacity $100.00
Commercial Tour Companies must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization. Travel agencies that organize and book tour groups that will enter the park as part of business operations require a Commercial Use Authorization Permit. Find out more about Commercial Use Authorizations and permits.

Non-Commercial Groups

Groups entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 passengers or more will pay an entrance fee of $15 per person on board, with the following exceptions:

  • Anyone who is 15 years old or younger is exempt from paying any entrance fee.
  • Passes may be used for entry as defined on the back of the pass.
  • In many cases the driver will have been hired for transportation only and is exempt from paying the entrance fee.
  • The total fee charged will not exceed the equivalent commercial fee for that type of vehicle.
Are you planning an educational trip for a school group? Find out if the group is eligible for an academic fee waiver.

Last updated: May 3, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

5000 East Entrance Road
Paicines, CA 95043

Phone:

831 389-4486
Please call the number above for all park related inquiries. For camping questions contact the Pinnacles Campground at (831) 200-1722. For the park book store, please call (831) 389-4485.

Contact Us