Pinnacles Campground

Awesome campground, great showers, wonderful staff! Loved the trails, loved the wildlife, loved everything.

Amazing park! Some of the best hikes in northern California - awesome caves, beautiful rock formations, lots of wildlife!

I have been to the pinnacles many times over the years and enjoyed the previous visits. This one was different as there were very few park Rangers, nobody in the entrance booth either when I arrived nor when I left. This could open it up for thieves or other suspicious characters to enter the park and pray on campers. Once again, another failure of the current administration not to fund National parks, which are historically non-partisan. There was a bathroom on the high peaks that is usually serviced by park employees but that was not happening due to budget cutbacks. Some volunteer had written a hand note saying that they were gonna take care of it in the meantime. Yet another failure of this current administration.

The cave systems and bird watching opportunities were great! The campground and showers were nice. Definitely suggest visiting and having fun on the trails!

Nice campground with electric (which you will need) it was hot in September. Had a swimming pool as well.

So by 10 am all the parking lots fill up so they close the road that goes through the park so you can't even go for a scenic drive if you want. The hike from the campground to the trailheads adds about 4 miles round trip. There is an auxiliary lot for other visitors at the campsite as well. I wish there was a shuttle or something that could take people to the trail heads.

Pinnacles is such a special place: a mix of coast range, foothills, majestic rocky cliffs, riparian forest, chaparral, desert scrub. We came after an early fall rain with more rain predicted. We Californians are spoiled with such fine weather that we aren't very prepared for rain, so many campsites were empty. The air and plants were scrubbed clean. The rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, and deer were quite active and not afraid of humans. Keep all your food secure from marauding raccoons.
One evening during our bat walk, there were a hundred turkey vultures circling overhead. We glimpsed condors from Bear Gulch parking lot. The trail out from Old Pinnacles parking lot is one of our favorites for scenery and plants. Exploring east and south from the Bacon Ranch in cool weather gives you a feel for living in this area.
It was over 100 degrees the day before we arrived, with the rain moderating that to the mid 80's with high humidity during our stay. We easily switched our campsite from a sunny spot #114 to a shady spot #8. We took full advantage of the pool with a dip before and after our hikes and nice showers too. It was fun to enjoy from afar the energy of a 6th-grade camping outing.
The park was well-maintained and park staff were knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. They were great in helping our friend charge her electric car.

Lots of peaceful wildlife Friendly,helpful staff
Refreshing swimming pool
24 hr. Open showers. Free.
Stars.
Well constructed hiking trails
Beautiful landscape.
Caves.
Condors
Attractive campsites and tent cabins.
Avoid it in hot weather
Void hot

Flat pad, clean restrooms, convenient store, helpful staff, quick drive to trailheads. All good.

The showers were clean, nice job. There was plenty of room at the campgrounds...I like that too. I am disappointed that there was little information about the many birds at the park. I'll be back!