Trip Idea

Activities from the East Side

Multiple Parks

Rock pillar that reads Welcome to Pinnacles National Park with rock formations in distance
Topic(s) Schools and Education, Roads, Routes and Highways, Birds, Trails, Caves, Caverns and Karst, Forests and Woodlands, Coniferous Forests, Deciduous Forests, Wilderness, Scenic Views, Rock Landscapes and Features, Night Sky, Animals, Cats (wild), Unique Species, Endangered more »
Activities Junior Ranger Program, Road Biking, Birdwatching, Hiking, Stargazing, Picnicking, Rock Climbing, Wildlife Watching more »
Type Kid Friendly, Educational, Outdoors, Group Friendly
Parks Pinnacles National Park
Activities from Bear Gulch Day Use Area
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Moses Spring Trail to Rim Trail Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Moses Spring Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Narrow rock staircase edged out of rock wall in a narrow rock canyon

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Loop Hike, Cave Hike

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Condor Gulch Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Condor Gulch Trailhead
    • Duration: 60–90 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Rocky dirt trail on a mountain top with rolling mountains seen in the distance

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hike to Viewpoint, Strenuous Hikes

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bear Gulch Day Use Area
    • Duration: 3–5 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Handrail and series of foot notches carved into steep rock.

    East Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop Hike

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Moses Spring Trailhead
    • Duration: 4–5 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Rocky trail following the edge of a narrow steep rock canyon on stormy afternoon

    East Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop Hike

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Chalone Peak Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: North Chalone Trail
    • Duration: 3–5 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Rocky trail heading down chaparral covered mountain with rock formations seen from a distance.

    East Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Highest Peak

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bench Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Wooden bridge crossing over a creek to a dirt trail winding around a green hillside

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Junior Ranger Program
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Duration: 10–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A child looking at a Junior Ranger booklet

    junior ranger programs

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Birdwatching in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Birdwatching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Condors flying above high peaks on a bright and cloudy morning.

    birds, birdwatching

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Wildlife viewing in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Wildlife Watching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Blainville\'s Horned Lizard resting on a sandy surface

    wildlife, wildlife viewing

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Night Sky Viewing At Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Stargazing
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Night, Dusk
    Large valley oak and rustic barn under a clear dark night sky

    night sky, stargazing

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Picnicking in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Picnicking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Shade structure and two picnic tables set before rock formations peering out of fog in winter

    East and West side, picnic areas

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Biking in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Road Biking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Visitor seen along a paved roadway riding a bicycle past a park service sign made into a rock pillar

    biking, road biking

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Rock Climbing the East Side of Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Rock Climbing
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bear Gulch Day Use Area
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn
    Rock climber on a rock crag

    rock climbing

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Activities from Old Pinnacles Parking Area
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Old Pinnacles Parking Area
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A shallow rocky creek crossing over a dirt trail

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Cave Hike

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Chaparral Parking Area
    • Duration: 4–5 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Trail passing through low rock walls with steep rock cliffs towering ahead.

    West Side Trails, Stenuous Hikes, Loop Hike

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike North Wilderness Trail Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: North Wilderness Trailhead
    • Duration: 5–8 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Trail leading through chaparral covered hills overlooking rock formations in the distance.

    West Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop Hike

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Birdwatching in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Birdwatching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Condors flying above high peaks on a bright and cloudy morning.

    birds, birdwatching

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Wildlife viewing in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Wildlife Watching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Blainville\'s Horned Lizard resting on a sandy surface

    wildlife, wildlife viewing

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Biking in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Road Biking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Visitor seen along a paved roadway riding a bicycle past a park service sign made into a rock pillar

    biking, road biking

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Activities from Peaks View and Manzanita Parking Areas
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bench Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Wooden bridge crossing over a creek to a dirt trail winding around a green hillside

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bench Trail to Balconies Cave Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bench Trailhead
    • Duration: 4–6 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    View of a wide hard packed dirt trail in an open area shaded by oak trees

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Cave Hike

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bench Trailhead
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Narrow dirt trail in open grassland leading into oak woodlands

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Birdwatching in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Birdwatching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Condors flying above high peaks on a bright and cloudy morning.

    birds, birdwatching

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Picnicking in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Picnicking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Shade structure and two picnic tables set before rock formations peering out of fog in winter

    East and West side, picnic areas

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Wildlife viewing in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Wildlife Watching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Blainville\'s Horned Lizard resting on a sandy surface

    wildlife, wildlife viewing

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Night Sky Viewing At Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Stargazing
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Night, Dusk
    Large valley oak and rustic barn under a clear dark night sky

    night sky, stargazing

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Biking in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Road Biking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Visitor seen along a paved roadway riding a bicycle past a park service sign made into a rock pillar

    biking, road biking

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Activities from the Campground
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bacon-Butterfield Ranch Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Bacon-Butterfield Ranch Trailhead
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Wooden bridge entry to small ranch.

    East Side Trails, Easy Hikes, Bicycle and pet friendly

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bench Trail to Sycamore Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bench Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Wooden bridge crossing over a creek to a dirt trail winding around a green hillside

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bench Trail to Balconies Cave Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bench Trailhead
    • Duration: 4–6 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    View of a wide hard packed dirt trail in an open area shaded by oak trees

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes, Cave Hike

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bench Trailhead
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Narrow dirt trail in open grassland leading into oak woodlands

    East Side Trails, Moderate Hikes

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Picnicking in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Picnicking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Shade structure and two picnic tables set before rock formations peering out of fog in winter

    East and West side, picnic areas

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Birdwatching in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Birdwatching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Condors flying above high peaks on a bright and cloudy morning.

    birds, birdwatching

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Biking in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Road Biking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Visitor seen along a paved roadway riding a bicycle past a park service sign made into a rock pillar

    biking, road biking

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Wildlife viewing in Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Wildlife Watching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Blainville\'s Horned Lizard resting on a sandy surface

    wildlife, wildlife viewing

    View Details
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Night Sky Viewing At Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Stargazing
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Night, Dusk
    Large valley oak and rustic barn under a clear dark night sky

    night sky, stargazing

    View Details

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Last updated: October 10, 2024