Pinnacles National Park Campground

California's Best Camping

Pinnacles National Park, California
Pinnacles National Park, California

Pinnacles National Park Campground

San Benito County


Pinnacles National Park Campground

Pinnacles National Park Campground is only accessible from the eastern entrance to the park off Highway 25. The western entrance does not connect to the campground or the main features of the park, except by trail. Visitors to the Pinnacles enjoy exploring the tallus caves, hiking, watching rock climbers, and scanning the sky for a rare California Condor.

Pinnacles National Park Campground is situated in a rolling landscape dotted with shady Valley Oak, Blue Oak and Coast Live Oak trees. A gentle, seasonal creek runs through the grounds. The campground has 120 family campsites. Of those, 82 are standard campsites for RVs, trailers, and tents. Another 37 have electric hook-ups for RVs or trailers. One site is for tents only. Some sites are in an open meadow area while others are tucked under trees near the creek.

Pinnacles also has 14 Group Campsites and 6 Tent Cabins.

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Pinnacles National Park Campground Basics
Pinnacles National Park Campground Location: 32 miles south of Hollister, Highway 126 off Highway 25
Elevation: 900 feet
Nearby Cities: 76 miles from San Jose
Number of Sites: 120
Camping Season: Open year-round
Max. People per Site: 6 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2 (including RV)
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by Pinnacles Recreation Company for the National Park Service
Information Pinnacles Visitor Center:
(831) 389-4485
Campground Information:
(831) 200-1722

Reservations at Pinnacles National Park Campground
Reservations Available: Pinnacles National Park Campground reservations are available year-round, up to 6 months in advance of arrival.
Max. RV/Trailer Length: 55 feet
Accessible Sites: None designated
Fees: Standard sites - $40 per night
Electric Hook-ups - $59
$10 additional on weekends for all campsites
Reservations: Pinnacles National Park Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: Check-in: 1:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Pinnacles National Park Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring (may be shared in electric hook-up sites), some sites with 30 amp electric hook-ups
Campground: restrooms with flush toilets, piped water, campground store, amphitheater
Showers and Laundry: Yes, coin operated
Dump station: Yes
Attractions near Pinnacles National Park Campground:
  • Enjoy the swimming pool from mid-April through September.
  • Tour the Visitor Center.
  • Explore many nice hiking trails, including Bear Gulch Reservoir, Balconies Cave, and Bear Gulch Cave (bring a flashlight).





Pinnacles National Park pool, CA

Pinnacles National Park Pool


Pinnacles National Park Group Campsites

Pinnacles National Park has 14 group campsites. Each of the sites can accommodate up to 20 people and 5 vehicles. All the campsites are tents-only, with no RVs permitted. The campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and food lockers. Reservations at group sites can be made up to a year in advance.
Fees: $110 per night ($20 additional on weekends)
Reservations: Pinnacles National Park Group Campsite Reservations

Pinnacles National Park Group Campground, CA

Pinnacles National Park Group Campsite


Pinnacles National Park Tent Cabins

Pinnacles National Park Tent Cabins stand on a wooden platform. The cabins have fabric walls and waterproof roof. Inside are 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds with mattresses. Beds are set up for 4, but maximum occupancy is 6. Guests must provide their own linens, pillows, and blankets or sleeping bags. The cabins have electric lights. Pets are allowed.

Outside are 2 Adirondack chairs, a bench, and picnic table. No smoking, cooking or flames of any sort are permitted the cabins. No food or trash bags are permitted in the cabins. Place them in vehicles or animal proof locker provided outside.
Fees: $139 per night ($25 additional on weekends)
Reservations: Pinnacles National Park Group Campsite Reservations



Pinnacles National Park Campground, CA

Pinnacles National Park Campground

Reviews from Previous Campers

- 2023 - 2024 -

  • Dusty on windy days.
  • Tent cabins can be very hot in summer.
  • Quiet hours not well enforced.
  • Few bathrooms in campground, causing long walks and waiting in line.
  • Lots of wildlife.

Pinnacles National Park
Attractions and Activities

  • Discover all the sites in 26,000 acres of spectacular rock formations and remnants of an extinct 23 million-year old volcano.
  • Explore two systems of tallus caves.
  • Watch for a rare California Condor among the high peaks.
  • Visit in spring when wildflowers are in bloom.
  • Watch experienced rock climbs work their way up the craggy cliffs.
  • Hike along 32 miles of trail in the park, watching for wildlife like coyotes, black-tailed deer, lizards and snakes, tarantulas, and maybe even a mountain lion or bobcat.
  • Spend a few hours relaxing in the swimming pool in the campground.

Key Pinnacles National Park Campground Regulations

"Vehicles that do not fit in spur can not stay. Please be sure your vehicle or vehicles will fit prior to reserving. There is a small overflow parking area near the campground store but is full most of the time. This lot is a long distance from most of the sites. If you do need to use it and get lucky and find a spot you will have a long walk back to camp. No RV's are allowed in the overflow parking lot."

  1. Campground Store & Office Hours are Monday through Thursday, 3 PM to 4 PM; Friday from noon to 5 PM; and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
  2. Campground fees do not include the per-vehicle entry fee to the park, charged upon arrival.
  3. Generators may only be operated from 7 AM to 9 AM, Noon to 2 PM, and 5 PM to 7 PM.

    Check Pinnacles National Park for any campground updates.

General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on snow conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. Check carefully on the website when you make your reservation to be sure your vehicle will fit your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, purchase firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate.