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Pinnacles National Park was formed almost 200 miles away from
where it is today! ⛰️🪨
-
Originally part of the Neenach Formation, located in Lancaster California, the Pinnacles
were moved North East due to the tectonic activity along the San Andreas Fault.

This right lateral strike-slip fault is located just East of the National Park. In fact, it is so
close that you drive over it on your way to the park.

Starting 30 million years ago, the birth of this fault changed the course of our land’s
topography, causing major coastal uplift, landslides triggered by earthquakes, and, of
course, the movement of major rock formations.

Next time you come to visit Pinnacles National Park, take note of how different the
surrounding landscape is compared to the park itself. It is hard not to notice the shift from
rolling hills to towering Pinnacles.

As you are driving along Airline highway, notice the conditions of the roads. Faults make
it hard to maintain infrastructure!!

-Video by: NPS Frankie Martinez and Emma Gray-

#pinnaclesnationalpark #geologie #rocks #sanandreasfault

As tempting as it is to share your food with our fuzzy friends, it can actually be very dangerous for all involved!

Pinnacles campground (located on the east side of the park) is home to various types of wildlife, including raccoons. Although many visitors take great care to properly store/dispose of their food and scented items, some remain unaware of the importance of doing so.

Not only is human food unhealthy for wild animals to eat, but it can also cause something called food-conditioning.
This is the process in which a wild animal learns to associate humans with a reliable and easy food source. It is a safety concern because it causes them to lose their natural fear of humans and become bold with their human encounters, often leading to aggressive behavior.
Food-conditioned racoons are a common issue in the campground. As they are very intelligent animals, they tend to quickly learn that the easiest way for them to get food is to steal it from campers. If food and scented items are not properly stored, they become easy pickings for these furry bandits who will teach their friends and family to raid and beg. Soon after, they will become more aggressive and start to climb on tables, get into cars, and open bags and tents.

Once they become so aggressive to the point of attempting to take food directly from and/or threatening humans, they have to be euthanized. Unfortunately, moving the problem raccoons to other areas of the park is not a viable option because they often return to where they were captured. These behaviors are all learned and are entirely our fault as they are only looking for the easiest way to get a meal. By changing our actions, this outcome can be easily avoided.

Please help us take care of our critters by properly storing your food and scented items, never feeding wild animals, and keeping wildlife wild!

#keepwildlifewild #raccoon #camping #pinnaclesnationalpark

Photo Credits: NPS / Emma Gray

As tempting as it is to share your food with our fuzzy friends, it can actually be very dangerous for all involved!

Pinnacles campground (located on the east side of the park) is home to various types of wildlife, including raccoons. Although many visitors take great care to properly store/dispose of their food and scented items, some remain unaware of the importance of doing so.

Not only is human food unhealthy for wild animals to eat, but it can also cause something called food-conditioning.
This is the process in which a wild animal learns to associate humans with a reliable and easy food source. It is a safety concern because it causes them to lose their natural fear of humans and become bold with their human encounters, often leading to aggressive behavior.
Food-conditioned racoons are a common issue in the campground. As they are very intelligent animals, they tend to quickly learn that the easiest way for them to get food is to steal it from campers. If food and scented items are not properly stored, they become easy pickings for these furry bandits who will teach their friends and family to raid and beg. Soon after, they will become more aggressive and start to climb on tables, get into cars, and open bags and tents.

Once they become so aggressive to the point of attempting to take food directly from and/or threatening humans, they have to be euthanized. Unfortunately, moving the problem raccoons to other areas of the park is not a viable option because they often return to where they were captured. These behaviors are all learned and are entirely our fault as they are only looking for the easiest way to get a meal. By changing our actions, this outcome can be easily avoided.

Please help us take care of our critters by properly storing your food and scented items, never feeding wild animals, and keeping wildlife wild!

#keepwildlifewild #raccoon #camping #pinnaclesnationalpark

Photo Credits: NPS / Emma Gray

As tempting as it is to share your food with our fuzzy friends, it can actually be very dangerous for all involved!

Pinnacles campground (located on the east side of the park) is home to various types of wildlife, including raccoons. Although many visitors take great care to properly store/dispose of their food and scented items, some remain unaware of the importance of doing so.

Not only is human food unhealthy for wild animals to eat, but it can also cause something called food-conditioning.
This is the process in which a wild animal learns to associate humans with a reliable and easy food source. It is a safety concern because it causes them to lose their natural fear of humans and become bold with their human encounters, often leading to aggressive behavior.
Food-conditioned racoons are a common issue in the campground. As they are very intelligent animals, they tend to quickly learn that the easiest way for them to get food is to steal it from campers. If food and scented items are not properly stored, they become easy pickings for these furry bandits who will teach their friends and family to raid and beg. Soon after, they will become more aggressive and start to climb on tables, get into cars, and open bags and tents.

Once they become so aggressive to the point of attempting to take food directly from and/or threatening humans, they have to be euthanized. Unfortunately, moving the problem raccoons to other areas of the park is not a viable option because they often return to where they were captured. These behaviors are all learned and are entirely our fault as they are only looking for the easiest way to get a meal. By changing our actions, this outcome can be easily avoided.

Please help us take care of our critters by properly storing your food and scented items, never feeding wild animals, and keeping wildlife wild!

#keepwildlifewild #raccoon #camping #pinnaclesnationalpark

Photo Credits: NPS / Emma Gray

Love is in the air at Pinnacles National Park! 💕

Late winter and early spring marks the beginning of breeding season for many raptor species at Pinnacles. Keep your eyes peeled for California Condors displaying to each other in the High Peaks! Condors show they’re interested in one another through courtship displays with their wings outstretched, heads hanging low, and slowly swaying side to side. At breeding age, condors flaunt brilliant colors on their heads and neck - bright pinks, oranges, yellows and blues which can enhance during breeding season. Condors usually lay eggs in late February through April!

Other raptors at Pinnacles include Red Shouldered Hawks, Red Tailed Hawks, Prairie Falcons and Peregrine Falcons. These birds have begun establishing territories and preparing nests for the breeding season. Keep an eye or ear out the next time you are in the park and you may hear some of these birds defending their territories!

The High Peaks is the best place to see condors and falcons in action while the Pinnacles campground is great for hawks! ⛰️⛺️

Photo Credits: NPS / Kaitlin Lopez (1) and Gavin Emmons (2&3)
Photo Descriptions: 1- An adult California Condor displaying to another adult California Condor. 2- An adult Red Tailed Hawk in a nest with three nestlings. 3- California Condor 692 mounting his partner, California Condor 726.

#californiacondor #condors #raptors #pinnaclesnationalpark #valentinesday

Love is in the air at Pinnacles National Park! 💕

Late winter and early spring marks the beginning of breeding season for many raptor species at Pinnacles. Keep your eyes peeled for California Condors displaying to each other in the High Peaks! Condors show they’re interested in one another through courtship displays with their wings outstretched, heads hanging low, and slowly swaying side to side. At breeding age, condors flaunt brilliant colors on their heads and neck - bright pinks, oranges, yellows and blues which can enhance during breeding season. Condors usually lay eggs in late February through April!

Other raptors at Pinnacles include Red Shouldered Hawks, Red Tailed Hawks, Prairie Falcons and Peregrine Falcons. These birds have begun establishing territories and preparing nests for the breeding season. Keep an eye or ear out the next time you are in the park and you may hear some of these birds defending their territories!

The High Peaks is the best place to see condors and falcons in action while the Pinnacles campground is great for hawks! ⛰️⛺️

Photo Credits: NPS / Kaitlin Lopez (1) and Gavin Emmons (2&3)
Photo Descriptions: 1- An adult California Condor displaying to another adult California Condor. 2- An adult Red Tailed Hawk in a nest with three nestlings. 3- California Condor 692 mounting his partner, California Condor 726.

#californiacondor #condors #raptors #pinnaclesnationalpark #valentinesday

Love is in the air at Pinnacles National Park! 💕

Late winter and early spring marks the beginning of breeding season for many raptor species at Pinnacles. Keep your eyes peeled for California Condors displaying to each other in the High Peaks! Condors show they’re interested in one another through courtship displays with their wings outstretched, heads hanging low, and slowly swaying side to side. At breeding age, condors flaunt brilliant colors on their heads and neck - bright pinks, oranges, yellows and blues which can enhance during breeding season. Condors usually lay eggs in late February through April!

Other raptors at Pinnacles include Red Shouldered Hawks, Red Tailed Hawks, Prairie Falcons and Peregrine Falcons. These birds have begun establishing territories and preparing nests for the breeding season. Keep an eye or ear out the next time you are in the park and you may hear some of these birds defending their territories!

The High Peaks is the best place to see condors and falcons in action while the Pinnacles campground is great for hawks! ⛰️⛺️

Photo Credits: NPS / Kaitlin Lopez (1) and Gavin Emmons (2&3)
Photo Descriptions: 1- An adult California Condor displaying to another adult California Condor. 2- An adult Red Tailed Hawk in a nest with three nestlings. 3- California Condor 692 mounting his partner, California Condor 726.

#californiacondor #condors #raptors #pinnaclesnationalpark #valentinesday

We consistently value CalFire’s prompt responses to incidents and provision of resources. Thank you CalFire, rangers, volunteers and everyone involved in the SAR incident for contributing to a successful operation.

PSA: If you do go through either of the caves in Pinnacles National Park, take your time and be aware of your surroundings. Since water does collect in the caves after rain, it can get slippery. Please bring headlamps and flashlights and be careful as you walk through.

#thankyoucalfire #thankyourangers #thankyouvolunteers❤️

Photo credit: Bilal Salim

We consistently value CalFire’s prompt responses to incidents and provision of resources. Thank you CalFire, rangers, volunteers and everyone involved in the SAR incident for contributing to a successful operation.

PSA: If you do go through either of the caves in Pinnacles National Park, take your time and be aware of your surroundings. Since water does collect in the caves after rain, it can get slippery. Please bring headlamps and flashlights and be careful as you walk through.

#thankyoucalfire #thankyourangers #thankyouvolunteers❤️

Photo credit: Bilal Salim

We consistently value CalFire’s prompt responses to incidents and provision of resources. Thank you CalFire, rangers, volunteers and everyone involved in the SAR incident for contributing to a successful operation.

PSA: If you do go through either of the caves in Pinnacles National Park, take your time and be aware of your surroundings. Since water does collect in the caves after rain, it can get slippery. Please bring headlamps and flashlights and be careful as you walk through.

#thankyoucalfire #thankyourangers #thankyouvolunteers❤️

Photo credit: Bilal Salim

We consistently value CalFire’s prompt responses to incidents and provision of resources. Thank you CalFire, rangers, volunteers and everyone involved in the SAR incident for contributing to a successful operation.

PSA: If you do go through either of the caves in Pinnacles National Park, take your time and be aware of your surroundings. Since water does collect in the caves after rain, it can get slippery. Please bring headlamps and flashlights and be careful as you walk through.

#thankyoucalfire #thankyourangers #thankyouvolunteers❤️

Photo credit: Bilal Salim

🪺Pinnacles 2025 Condor Nesting Recap🪺: In 2025 we had two nests within the park. Our close partners in condor recovery, Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS), had another three nests in the coast range. That brings us to a total of five nests in central California this year!

The first chick to hatch in the park was 1373 in April. Her parents are 868, Pinnacles male, and 931, VWS female. This is their second year in a row nesting. 1373 is often seen near the Balconies Cliffs, so if you’re in that area, keep your eyes peeled for a young untagged condor soaring through the sky!

The second chick to hatch in the park was 1358 in the beginning of May. Her parents are 589, Pinnacles male, and 569, VWS female - breaking a condor record this year by being the first wild condors to successfully raise a chick 5 years in a row! 1358 is tagged and can be identified by a blue 58 wing tag.
Both 1373 and 1358 left their nests in September and October and are doing great!
Along the coast, two Pinnacles females nested for the first time this year! 1006 nested with VWS male 574 and their chick successfully fledged and appears to be doing well. 970 nested with the oldest condor in the flock, VWS male 168, and laid an egg in February.
Unfortunately, she passed from lead poisoning not long after, which would usually result in their nest failing.
In a surprising turn of events, 168 managed to incubate the egg and raise the chick all on his own and that chick has successfully fledged.

#condor #fledgling
Video credit: NPS

🪺Pinnacles 2025 Condor Nesting Recap🪺: In 2025 we had two nests within the park. Our close partners in condor recovery, Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS), had another three nests in the coast range. That brings us to a total of five nests in central California this year!

The first chick to hatch in the park was 1373 in April. Her parents are 868, Pinnacles male, and 931, VWS female. This is their second year in a row nesting. 1373 is often seen near the Balconies Cliffs, so if you’re in that area, keep your eyes peeled for a young untagged condor soaring through the sky!

The second chick to hatch in the park was 1358 in the beginning of May. Her parents are 589, Pinnacles male, and 569, VWS female - breaking a condor record this year by being the first wild condors to successfully raise a chick 5 years in a row! 1358 is tagged and can be identified by a blue 58 wing tag.
Both 1373 and 1358 left their nests in September and October and are doing great!
Along the coast, two Pinnacles females nested for the first time this year! 1006 nested with VWS male 574 and their chick successfully fledged and appears to be doing well. 970 nested with the oldest condor in the flock, VWS male 168, and laid an egg in February.
Unfortunately, she passed from lead poisoning not long after, which would usually result in their nest failing.
In a surprising turn of events, 168 managed to incubate the egg and raise the chick all on his own and that chick has successfully fledged.

#condor #fledgling
Video credit: NPS

Heads up! 🥾 Moses Spring parking lot is closed❌(12-13-25 ➡️until further notice). In the meantime, Bear Gulch day use area is the closest open lot from the trailheads.📝🗺️Plan accordingly and have a safe and enjoyable experience at Pinnacles NPS!

POV hiking to Bear Gulch cave and reservoir, after some well needed rain…🌧️
#hiking #nationalpark #beargulch #pinnaclesnationalpark #rain #trail #pov #

Tarantula Fall🍂
Do you love fall? So do tarantulas! 🕷️
Now that the weather is cooling down the male spiders are setting off across the state to find love. They are searching for females who reside in borrows to mate. This journey can be difficult, in between avoiding predators, getting crushed by cars and on top of that being eaten by a larger female. Remember, please drive slowly in te park and surrounding areas to give them a fighting chance.🕵️‍♂️ The best time of day to spot these fierce cuties is at DUSK and they can be found crossing trails in the park.

Video Credit: NPS / B Salim

Video description: Tarantula walking on Condor Gulch trail

#planlikeaparkranger #recreateresponsibly #nationalpark #tarantula #spiderseason #driveslow #fall

No, this is not melted remnants of a spaceship crash. In fact a vehicle fire melted car parts onto the ground- no one was harmed but this parking spot was left unusable and vacant until now! The entire lot will be closed for the day. The next best parking lot is Bear Gulch day use area. Lots fill up at around 9:30 so please plan your trip accordingly.
#beprepared #planlikeaparkranger #nationalpark

We know- feeding wildlife is a big NO-NO.❌🦌 But can we take a moment and enjoy this throwback snap of a CCC member sharing a sweet (and very retro) moment with a deer? #neverfeedanimals #throwback #oldphotography
#retro #nationalpark #keepwildlifewild

Photo credits: NPS

Keep your eyes peeled for our local residents! This handsome bobcat was seen exploring the grasslands near the Prewett Point Trail. Another incredible wildlife sighting at Pinnacles!

If you make any observations at Pinnacles, be sure to use #Pinnaclesmoments to be featured!

[A juvenile bobcat spotted sitting and walking on Prewett Point trail heading towards West Visitor Contact station]

Photo Credit: B. Salim

Keep your eyes peeled for our local residents! This handsome bobcat was seen exploring the grasslands near the Prewett Point Trail. Another incredible wildlife sighting at Pinnacles!

If you make any observations at Pinnacles, be sure to use #Pinnaclesmoments to be featured!

[A juvenile bobcat spotted sitting and walking on Prewett Point trail heading towards West Visitor Contact station]

Photo Credit: B. Salim

Keep your eyes peeled for our local residents! This handsome bobcat was seen exploring the grasslands near the Prewett Point Trail. Another incredible wildlife sighting at Pinnacles!

If you make any observations at Pinnacles, be sure to use #Pinnaclesmoments to be featured!

[A juvenile bobcat spotted sitting and walking on Prewett Point trail heading towards West Visitor Contact station]

Photo Credit: B. Salim

Happy International Vulture Awareness Day!

Pinnacles National Park is home to two species of vulture: Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) and California Condors (Gymnogyps Californianus)! Vultures serve an important role in our ecosystems as scavengers. They clean up dead animals across the landscape and help prevent diseases from spreading.Both of these species are notoriously tricky to tell apart, so here are some ID tips:👀🕵️
Turkey Vultures have around a 6 ft wingspan while Condors have a 9.5 ft wingspan!
Turkey Vulture wings are a grey/ silver color along the bottom while Condors have a white triangle across the front edge of their wings.
Turkey vulture wings often have a V-shape in flight and they tend to be shaky fliers whereas Condor wings form a straight line across and they are steady soarers that rarely flap.
Pinnacles is lucky to be home to both of these important scavengers!! Keep an eye out for these birds when you visit!#vulture #awareness #spotthedifference #californiacondor

Happy International Vulture Awareness Day!

Pinnacles National Park is home to two species of vulture: Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) and California Condors (Gymnogyps Californianus)! Vultures serve an important role in our ecosystems as scavengers. They clean up dead animals across the landscape and help prevent diseases from spreading.Both of these species are notoriously tricky to tell apart, so here are some ID tips:👀🕵️
Turkey Vultures have around a 6 ft wingspan while Condors have a 9.5 ft wingspan!
Turkey Vulture wings are a grey/ silver color along the bottom while Condors have a white triangle across the front edge of their wings.
Turkey vulture wings often have a V-shape in flight and they tend to be shaky fliers whereas Condor wings form a straight line across and they are steady soarers that rarely flap.
Pinnacles is lucky to be home to both of these important scavengers!! Keep an eye out for these birds when you visit!#vulture #awareness #spotthedifference #californiacondor

Happy International Vulture Awareness Day!

Pinnacles National Park is home to two species of vulture: Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) and California Condors (Gymnogyps Californianus)! Vultures serve an important role in our ecosystems as scavengers. They clean up dead animals across the landscape and help prevent diseases from spreading.Both of these species are notoriously tricky to tell apart, so here are some ID tips:👀🕵️
Turkey Vultures have around a 6 ft wingspan while Condors have a 9.5 ft wingspan!
Turkey Vulture wings are a grey/ silver color along the bottom while Condors have a white triangle across the front edge of their wings.
Turkey vulture wings often have a V-shape in flight and they tend to be shaky fliers whereas Condor wings form a straight line across and they are steady soarers that rarely flap.
Pinnacles is lucky to be home to both of these important scavengers!! Keep an eye out for these birds when you visit!#vulture #awareness #spotthedifference #californiacondor

Happy International Vulture Awareness Day!

Pinnacles National Park is home to two species of vulture: Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) and California Condors (Gymnogyps Californianus)! Vultures serve an important role in our ecosystems as scavengers. They clean up dead animals across the landscape and help prevent diseases from spreading.Both of these species are notoriously tricky to tell apart, so here are some ID tips:👀🕵️
Turkey Vultures have around a 6 ft wingspan while Condors have a 9.5 ft wingspan!
Turkey Vulture wings are a grey/ silver color along the bottom while Condors have a white triangle across the front edge of their wings.
Turkey vulture wings often have a V-shape in flight and they tend to be shaky fliers whereas Condor wings form a straight line across and they are steady soarers that rarely flap.
Pinnacles is lucky to be home to both of these important scavengers!! Keep an eye out for these birds when you visit!#vulture #awareness #spotthedifference #californiacondor