Trip Idea

Activities from the West Side

Multiple Parks

View of a barren oak next to a Pinnacles National Park sign with the NPS arrowhead laid in a rocks
Topic(s) Schools and Education, Birds, Caves, Caverns and Karst, Trails, Rock Landscapes and Features, Geology, Scenic Views, Tunnels, Forests and Woodlands, Wilderness, Foothills, Plains and Valleys, Night Sky, Animals, Cats (wild), Unique Species, Endangered more »
Activities Junior Ranger Program, Birdwatching, Hiking, Stargazing, Picnicking, Rock Climbing, Wildlife Watching more »
Type Kid Friendly, Educational, Outdoors, Group Friendly
Parks Pinnacles National Park
Activities from Chaparral Parking Area
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Balconies Cliffs Trail to Balconies Cave Trail Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Balconies Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Large boulder wedged in narrow rock canyon.

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

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Juniper Canyon Trail Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Chaparral Parking Area
    • Duration: 2–3 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Natural light luminating the walls inside a manmade rock tunnel

    West Side Trails, Strenuous Hikes, Loop 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

    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

    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

    Rock Climbing the West Side of Pinnacles National Park
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Rock Climbing
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Chaparral Parking 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 Jawbone Parking Area
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Jawbone Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Jawbone Trailhead
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A view of a dirt trail leading through a grove of blue oaks drapped in moss

    West 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

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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

    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

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Activities from the West Visitor Contact Station
  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Prewett Point Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: West Visitor Contact Station Parking Area
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Hard pack dirt trail winding around hillside, large rock spires appearing in the distance.

    West Side Trails, Easy Hikes, Accessible Trail

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  • Pinnacles National Park

    Hike Jawbone Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Jawbone Trailhead
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A view of a dirt trail leading through a grove of blue oaks drapped in moss

    West 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

    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

    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

    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