Der Pinnacles-Nationalpark ist ein Naturschutzgebiet vom Typ eines Nationalparks im US-Bundesstaat Kalifornien. Das Gebiet ist von Formationen vulkanischen Ursprungs aus verschiedenen Erdzeitaltern geprägt. Die schroffen Felsen und die geringe Fruchtbarkeit haben eine menschliche Nutzung verhindert und so die ursprüngliche Natur erhalten. Deshalb war der Pinnacles-Nationalpark ein geeigneter Standort für die Auswilderung des Kalifornischen Kondors.
Das Pinnacles-Gebiet wurde ab etwa 1900 als touristisches Ziel entdeckt, 1908 durch Präsident Theodore Roosevelt als National Monument unter Schutz gestellt und in den 1930er Jahren im Rahmen des New Deal erschlossen. Es wird vom National Park Service verwaltet. Seit 1976 sind rund 60 % der Fläche zusätzlich unter den besonderen Schutz eines Wilderness Areas gestellt. Anfang 2013 wurde es zum Nationalpark aufgewertet, um die besondere Bedeutung hervorzuheben und den Tourismus zu fördern.Das Schutzgebiet ist nach dem englischen Wort pinnacle für Felsnadel benannt. Ein gleichnamiger Nationalpark liegt im australischen Bundesstaat Queensland.
Amazing National Park. I did walk-up camping (I know, they say that’s not available now but I guess I got lucky). Fun park to explore with lots of great hikes. I went during July and it was HOT. My national park annual pass rearview mirror hanger melted while I was in a hike. One of the caves was closed to protect the bats. I saw lots of great wildlife while hiking and around the campground. Amazing star gazing at night. I loved it.
Spent half day at Pinnacles, views are beautiful. The Bear Gulch caves are dark but unique, need to bring a head lamp. The heats are roaring in the summer so bring lots of water.
We did the condor gulch till view point and the bear gulch cave trail till the reservoir and back through the moss trail. We reached at 6.15 am to beat the heat and it really helped. Moderate hikes. The NPS website said that the bear gulch cave was closed. But it wasn't. PLEASE DON'T MISS THE CAVE. IT WAS AMAZING. ⚠️ SOME AREAS IN THE CAVE REQUIRES YOU TO SQUEEZE IN AND SQUAT...
It was one of the most beautiful parks. It has desert areas, mountains, and lots of trees. The river with rocks was so unique. The huge rocks made you feel super special. They have great places to take nice pictures. They have a pool and several campsites. Different parking lots and different hikes that you can do. I love the little store they have some great snacks.
My first visit and despite the soaring heat, the most profound part of the experience were the soaring condors. WOW. Take the time to hike the High Peaks trail and marvel once you get to the top, as these magnificent birds of prey soar around you. The views are stellar and it's absolutely worth spending an hour up there, watching in awe. This is truly an underrated park but absolutely worth the visit. The caves are tight and make sure you bring an actual flashlight. You do NOT want to drop your phone down into a crevasse as your climb over the boulders that litter the floor of the caves. $30 entry fee, or just buy the Parks Pass. It's so worth it.
It was my first time at the park and I love it. Very cool place for running. Park is not that big, but it give you opportunities to run it. We did loop around 13 miles. Paths are great, views are amazing, you can refill water because paths are usually going through some places with water. You can find plenty of trails for running depends on what you need
One of the best National parks in California. In 2021, it's all dried up, absolutely no water in the creeks. We stayed at Pinnacles Campground and hiked Pinnacles Greatest hits. It was hottest day and it was gruelling under scorching heat. Must hiking place in your lifetime.
A great national park to climb rocks in caves. Make sure to bring a head lamp. There are two entrances, west and east, and they do not connect by road. We entered from the west and a good amount of the road was a one lane wide road. If you visit in the summer, bring lots of water.