Pinnacles Campground
Pinnacles National Park
Write a Review 5000 CA-146 Paicines, CA 95043 831-200-1722 831-389-4486 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official WebsiteGPS: 36.493, -121.1463
Overview of Pinnacles Campground
Pinnacles Campground is located on the eastern side of Pinnacles National Park and can only be accessed via the East Entrance Station. The campground is open year-round and offers 134 campsites for tents and RV's that have picnic tables and fire rings, 36 RV sites have 30 amp electric hookup. Pinnacles Campground has restrooms with flush toilets and showers, RV dump station, drinking water, camp store (firewood, ice, etc.), day-use picnic area, visitor center, and a swimming pool that is open from April through September.
Pinnacles Campground and the Campground Store are operated by Pinnacles Recreation Company. The campground general store is open daily from 9:30 am until 5:00 pm. For questions about camping or the campground store, please call (831) 200-1722. Tent and RV campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, group camping can be reserved up to 12 months in advance. For Pinnacles Campground reservations, please visit recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777.
Last Price Paid: $43
Reported by Dan on 11/13/2024
Longest RV Reported: 42 feet (Class A)
Reported by Life Rebooted on 3/13/2016
Number of Sites 134
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Elevation 1,017 ft / 309 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Pinnacles Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 831-200-1722
Joseph asked on 8/11/2021
Can you get to most of the trailheads without a car? We will be in a Class C with bikes but no car. Thanks!
Reviews of Pinnacles Campground 55 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 6 Users
Last reported 11/13/2024
Confirmed by 9 Users
Last reported 4/8/2024
“Nice place, need to come back!”
Reviewed 2/1/2017
| Nightly rate: | $20 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 9 |
Overall Rating
We were transiting from the Central Coast to north of the Bay Area, and looking for a place to spend the night (Big Sur is impassable due to rock slides). Pinnacles was a great stop. We only spent the night, which was a shame. It's a beautiful setting and a decent campground. The sites are clean and large. If you want solitude, drive t... more
We were transiting from the Central Coast to north of the Bay Area, and looking for a place to spend the night (Big Sur is impassable due to rock slides). Pinnacles was a great stop. We only spent the night, which was a shame. It's a beautiful setting and a decent campground. The sites are clean and large. If you want solitude, drive to the far end of the loop across the creek. There was one campsite taken. There is a small area with power and water. The bathrooms are clean, although very tired. Like the rest of the National Park system, Congress determination to underfund the parks is obvious, as is the efforts made my rangers to do the best they can.
There are hiking trails everywhere, as well as condors! We intend to come back, with enough time to explore. Note: the campground is in a canyon. If you are dependent on solar power, you'll want to be very careful about where you park.
There is zero cell service. Closest groceries are 30 min north in Hollister.
OnlyDirtRoads would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 3/13/2016
| Nightly rate: | $36 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| RV Length: | 42' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
This is the only campground near Pinnacles National Park and is located on the east side. The roads leading to the campground are winding, narrow, and one lane each way, but ok as long as you don't actually go 55mph (posted speed limit). We ended up driving as slow as 20-25 on many sections in our motorhome. Most of the campground has ... more
This is the only campground near Pinnacles National Park and is located on the east side. The roads leading to the campground are winding, narrow, and one lane each way, but ok as long as you don't actually go 55mph (posted speed limit). We ended up driving as slow as 20-25 on many sections in our motorhome. Most of the campground has no hookups (and no generators allowed either), but there is a small section with electric and water spigots located sporadically through the area, and there is a dump station (only one) across from the visitors' center. The sites are spacious, level, and easy to back into. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the campground and because it's so large, there were plenty of places to walk around. The nearest city is about 45 minutes away so bring everything you need before you go camping. There is also no cellular or internet signal in the campground or in the surrounding areas, even with a booster (we had to drive 30 minutes before we could make a phone call). Our site had absolutely no shade but other sites do have large trees that do provide some shade. For the water spigots, we only saw one (in front of #86) with threading that would fit a hose. The other spigots had no threading so if you want to fill your tank, you will either need to fill at #86, bring a water bandit, or use a water jug/container. We enjoyed the campground and found it pretty and peaceful. We would come back if we were visiting Pinnacles National Park.
Life Rebooted would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful end of february. Perigon falcons. Condors.”
Reviewed 2/22/2016
| Nightly rate: | $20 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | 32 |
Overall Rating
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Off the Beaten Path National Park”
Reviewed 8/9/2015
| Nightly rate: | $36 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | 116, 96, 102 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
The Pinnacles was a National Monument for many years and recently achieved National Park status. Since this happened it has become more crowded, but there has also been a lot of improvements made to the campground which used to be privately run. There is a $10 use fee to get in, that is not covered by your camping fee. The campground h... more
The Pinnacles was a National Monument for many years and recently achieved National Park status. Since this happened it has become more crowded, but there has also been a lot of improvements made to the campground which used to be privately run. There is a $10 use fee to get in, that is not covered by your camping fee. The campground has a lot of sites for both RV and tent campers. There is also a small store that sells basic food supplies, beer and wine, ice, etc, a visitor center, a swimming pool (open in summer), dump station and showers. This campground is very far from any other services so be sure to get gas and supplies before coming here. Cell phone service is mostly non-existent, and generator use is not allowed in the campground. Campfire use is seasonal and generally not allowed in summer because of high fire danger. It is very hot in the summer.
The D loop is primarily for RV's and has 30A electrical hookups but no water hookups or sewer. Most of the sites in D loop are suitable for larger rigs, but some are not. All sites in this loop are gravel pads. The rest of the campground is mostly suited for small RV's and tents and has no power, although there are some sites up front that can accept a larger rig. There are also a lot of group camp facilities, but RV's are not allowed in the group areas.
You can drive from the campground to the Bear Gulch area where most of the major trail heads are that lead to the High Peaks area, but the parking is limited so go early. There is also a shuttle that runs between the campground and Bear Gulch. Inquire at the visitor center. There are some hiking trails that lead from the campground as well and the remote location make this is a great place for stargazing and wildlife viewing, especially California Condors. Dogs are allowed in the campground and on paved roads, but no on trails.
Tin Shack would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Convenient to National Park”
Reviewed 3/19/2015
| Nightly rate: | $18 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | 32 & 3 |
| RV Length: | 28' |
Overall Rating
This is the only campground in Pinnacles National park, which makes it convenient for hiking and enjoying nature. However, only one loop of the campground is RV friendly. If you want a good RV spot, stick with the electric sites and a very few non-electric in loop A. For the most part the non-electric loops are really set up for t... more
This is the only campground in Pinnacles National park, which makes it convenient for hiking and enjoying nature. However, only one loop of the campground is RV friendly. If you want a good RV spot, stick with the electric sites and a very few non-electric in loop A. For the most part the non-electric loops are really set up for tents and some small camper vans, and if you are able to fit in you will have to deal with mosquitoes. First, the road is narrow and not accommodating to two way traffic. Several of the sites are angled in the wrong direction for backing in a camper. Plus, many sites are extremely unlevel (we used all 12 leveling blocks and still weren’t level) or blocked by trees hanging down. The campground has a dump station and many bucket water fills. Yet, to fill tank with hose, the only threaded spigot is in the electric site area. Enjoyed the stay, but would definitely be more selective about campsite next time.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 6 of 6
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Amenities
Hookups
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- picnic area
- recreation trail
- swimming pool: outdoor
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- dump station
- group sites
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- swimming pool: outdoor
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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