Camping near Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park in central California features a single established campground on its eastern side, with additional camping options scattered throughout the surrounding rural landscape. The Pinnacles Campground, located at the east entrance, provides tent and RV sites with amenities including bear boxes, picnic tables, and fire rings. Beyond the park boundaries, campers find alternatives ranging from developed RV resorts like Yanks RV Resort in Greenfield to more rustic options such as Upper Sweetwater Laguna Mountain Campground. Thousand Trails San Benito in Paicines offers year-round accommodations including cabins and tent sites within driving distance of the park's unique volcanic formations and hiking trails.
Advance reservations are essential for the Pinnacles Campground, which fills quickly during weekends and peak seasons. As one camper noted, "This campground can only be accessed from the East entrance to Pinnacles National Park, and fills up fast on weekends." The region experiences extreme temperature variations, with summer highs frequently exceeding 100°F, making winter and spring the preferred camping seasons. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout much of the area, particularly at more remote sites like Laguna Mountain Campground where visitors report "absolutely NO cell reception at the campground or the road in, NO AT&T, NO Verizon, and NO T-Mobile." Road conditions vary significantly, with some access routes to outlying campgrounds featuring narrow, potholed surfaces that may challenge larger vehicles.
Wildlife viewing ranks among the top experiences for campers in the Pinnacles region. The park hosts California condors, with many visitors reporting sightings of these endangered birds soaring above campsites. According to one visitor at Thousand Trails San Benito, "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads." Night skies offer exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Campground amenities vary widely, from the swimming pool and camp store at Pinnacles Campground to the primitive facilities at free BLM sites. Water availability is inconsistent across locations, with some campgrounds requiring visitors to bring their own supply. Hiking trails connecting directly to some campgrounds provide convenient access to the park's distinctive rock formations, caves, and reservoir.
