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Pinnacles Wilderness

General Contacts Area Management Wilderness Laws Images
A large cluster of yellow rocky pinnacles along a slope, dotted with small evergreen trees.
Library image #809: View of rock formations and gray pines in the Pinnacles Wilderness.

Introduction

The United States Congress designated the Pinnacles Wilderness (map) in 1976 and it now has a total of 15,985 acres. All of this wilderness is located in California and is managed by the National Park Service.

Description

More than 23 million years ago, according to the prevailing theory of plate tectonics, the Pacific Plate ground past the North American Plate, wrenching off a piece and creating the San Andreas Rift Zone. Molten lava poured through the rift, and a huge volcanic mountain was formed. Eons of wind and water, heat and frost wore down the mountain and produced the starkly angular crags and spires of today's Pinnacles National Monument. Movement of the Pacific Plate carried the Pinnacles with infinite slowness to their present location, approximately 195 miles north of the place of their birth. A chaparral plant community has grown up on the rugged lower slopes of the area, prime habitat for black-tailed deer, rabbits, gray foxes, raccoons, and bobcats.

High peaks divide the monument into eastern and western portions. Road access is available to both sides, but no roads connect the two. Camping is permitted at a picnic area on the west side all year except on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from February 11 to May 31, and a fee is charged. About 30 miles of foot trails provide access to the Wilderness, but no camping is allowed because of the fragile nature of this relatively small area. Technical rock climbers will find a wealth of routes of varying difficulty, and the sport has been growing in popularity here.

Planning to Visit the Pinnacles Wilderness?

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Pinnacles Wilderness.
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.


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