Welcome to
PINNACLES National Park
Pinnacles National Park is the newest of all California national parks; it has towering cliffs and caves amidst wild mountains in central California.
Pinnacles Park is divided into two parts: west and east. More precisely, you can enter the park from two sides. But you cannot drive through it, as is usually the case. The centerpiece of Pinnacles Park is a five-mile-long winding trail accessible only to pedestrians. Pinnacles Park is 124 miles from San Francisco and 270 miles from Los Angeles.
Nestled in the Gabilan Mountains of central California, Pinnacles National Park is a geologic marvel marked by towering rock spires, talus caves, and diverse ecosystems. Encompassing over 26,000 acres, the park is a testament to the volcanic forces that shaped the region millions of years ago. The iconic rock formations, known as the Pinnacles, were formed from the remains of an ancient volcano and have been sculpted by erosion into dramatic spires and craggy cliffs.
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Renowned for its unique features, the park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The rugged landscape is dotted with chaparral, oak woodlands, and pockets of grassy meadows, providing habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Pinnacles National Park is home to a thriving population of California condors, one of the world's rarest bird species, often soaring above the high peaks.
Visitors to the park can explore an extensive network of hiking trails, ranging from strolls through shaded canyons to challenging ascents to the park's lofty ridges.
The talus caves, formed by massive boulders wedged between narrow canyons, offer a unique underground experience for adventurous hikers.
Designated as a National Park in 2013, Pinnacles is a sanctuary of natural beauty and a playground for those seeking outdoor adventures amidst striking geological wonders. Whether hiking among the towering spires, exploring talus caves, or birdwatching in the expansive landscapes, Pinnacles National Park invites all who visit to discover the extraordinary diversity of this captivating California treasure.
Redwood National and State Parks, located in northern California, are home to the tallest trees on Earth, the coast redwoods. The park offers a variety of trails through these ancient forests, along rugged coastlines, and through prairies. Here are some of the best hiking trails in Redwood National Park:
1. Tall Trees Grove Trail
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: The Tall Trees Grove is one of the most special areas in the park, as it contains some of the tallest trees in the world. This trail leads you down to the grove, where you can walk among the towering redwoods. A permit is required to access this trail, which helps to keep it less crowded and more peaceful. It’s a serene and majestic experience as you stand among the giants.
2. Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) loop
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: This is one of the most popular and accessible trails in the park, named in honor of the former first lady. The trail takes you through a beautiful forest of ancient redwoods, offering educational signs along the way that describe the ecology of the forest. It’s an easy, flat loop, making it great for families and visitors of all skill levels. Early mornings are especially magical here, with mist often hanging in the forest.
3. Fern Canyon Trail
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) loop
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Fern Canyon is a stunning, narrow canyon with 50-foot walls draped in lush ferns and moss. The trail through the canyon involves crossing a small stream multiple times, so be prepared to get your feet wet. This unique and beautiful hike was featured in movies like Jurassic Park 2. The area around Fern Canyon is also rich with wildlife, and the surrounding Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park offers opportunities to explore more of the coastal redwoods.
4. James Irvine Trail
Distance: 10.5 miles (16.9 km) round trip (via Fern Canyon)
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: The James Irvine Trail is one of the most scenic and diverse hikes in the park. It starts near the Prairie Creek Redwoods Visitor Center and takes you through towering redwoods, past streams, and through lush forest before eventually descending into Fern Canyon. This is a longer hike, but it offers a full experience of the park's different ecosystems, from the dense redwoods to the ferns and coastal areas.
5. Boy Scout Tree Trail
Distance: 5.3 miles (8.5 km) round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: This trail leads through a beautiful, dense redwood forest to the Boy Scout Tree, a massive redwood tree that is one of the park’s largest. The trail is peaceful and relatively quiet compared to some of the more crowded trails in the park, making it a great option for those seeking solitude. At the end of the trail, you’ll find Fern Falls, a small but picturesque waterfall that adds to the trail’s charm.
6. Trillium Falls Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: This scenic loop takes you through lush forests of towering redwoods, ferns, and a variety of other plant life. The trail's highlight is Trillium Falls, a small but lovely waterfall tucked away in the dense forest. The trail is relatively short and well-maintained, making it a good option for a half-day hike.
7. Miners’ Ridge and James Irvine Loop
Distance: 12 miles (19.3 km) loop
Difficulty: Strenuous
Highlights: This loop is a full-day adventure through some of the most beautiful sections of the park. The Miners’ Ridge portion of the loop takes you through dense redwood forests, with towering trees and a peaceful atmosphere. After connecting with the James Irvine Trail, the hike descends toward Fern Canyon before looping back. This trail offers a diverse experience of the park's forests, canyons, and prairies.
8. Redwood Creek Trail
Distance: 16 miles (25.7 km) round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Highlights: This trail follows Redwood Creek and offers an immersive backcountry experience. It’s a long hike, but the beauty of the redwoods, the quiet forest, and the babbling creek make it worth the effort. The trail leads toward the Tall Trees Grove and is a great option for backpackers, as there are several campsites along the way. This is also one of the few trails in the park where you can camp along the creek (with a backcountry permit).
9. Coastal Trail
Distance: Varies (70 miles in total)
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Highlights: The Coastal Trail spans approximately 70 miles along the rugged northern California coastline, offering a stunning combination of redwood forests and ocean views. While the entire trail is long, there are shorter segments that provide incredible hiking experiences. One popular section is from Gold Bluffs Beach to Fern Canyon, where you can hike along the beach and into the lush canyon.
10. Prairie Creek Trail
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: This trail takes you through a peaceful, mossy forest with some of the park’s most impressive redwoods. The forest feels almost enchanted, with towering trees and the creek flowing nearby. The trail is well-shaded and relatively flat, making it a pleasant and less strenuous option for those looking to soak in the majesty of the redwoods.
Official name - PINNACLES National Park
Location - Pinnacles Park is 200 km from San Francisco and 435 km from Los Angeles.
Address - 5000 Highway 146 Paicines, CA 95043
GPS coordinates - 36° 29′13″ N 121 ° 10′01″ W
The park was founded on January 10, 2013
Attendance - 222,152 people per year
The area is characterized by formations of volcanic origin from different geological ages. The rugged rocks and low fertility prevented human use and thus preserved the original nature. Therefore, the Pinnacles National Park was a suitable location for the release of the California condor.
