Pinnacles, California sits at the edge of the Gabilan Range with elevations ranging from 824 to 3,304 feet. The surrounding camping areas experience hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, while winters bring cooler conditions with occasional frost. Cell service can vary dramatically between campgrounds, with stronger signals typically available at private RV parks outside national park boundaries.
What to do
Wildlife watching: San Benito RV and Camping Resort serves as a good base for California Condor viewing. "Pinnacles NP has lots of great hikes, bird watching is a thing out here and home to the California Condors," notes Tyler V., who stayed at the Thousand Trails San Benito.
Hiking the trails: The park offers numerous hiking options for all skill levels. "There is a path that will take you to the ocean. It's about a quarter of a mile walk in sand," shares Tonya C. about walks near Marina Dunes RV Park, which can serve as a coastal alternative to Pinnacles hiking.
Exploring nearby towns: The region offers opportunities to visit local communities. "Near the town of Gilroy home of the garlic festival. A little out of the way but a nice scenic backroad alternate from I5 or 99 if traveling north/south," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails San Benito.
What campers like
Quiet surroundings: Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at private RV parks near Pinnacles. "This park surprised me. It is just off Highway 101 but the noise is not distracting," writes Kathy S. about Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park, located about 30 miles from Pinnacles.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities to see local fauna. "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!!!!" exclaims Samantha N. about her stay at Thousand Trails San Benito.
Proximity to attractions: Locations that provide convenient access to both Pinnacles and other destinations receive positive feedback. "After being on the road for 2 1/2 months this place was just what we needed for a stop over on our way NORTH on 101... This would be a perfect place to explore Pinnacle National or Hearst Castle," notes John B. about Yanks RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: The climate affects camping conditions throughout the year. "We went here for the first time end of July when it can be hot toddy. It was only low 90s," reports Lynda D. about Thousand Trails San Benito.
Facilities maintenance: Campground upkeep varies between locations. "We stayed here for a few nights and it wasn't a bad park, but not well kept either. It is a very large park and the space between spots wasn't bad. Cell service here wasn't good either," explains Jennifer D. about San Benito RV and Camping Resort.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. "The road in is basically a one lane road. Pray you don't encounter oncoming traffic," warns Dave N. about Carmel by the River RV Park, an alternative camping option about 45 miles from Pinnacles.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Seek out campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. "Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis). We lost power twice here which was unfortunate but lasted 90 minutes once and 4-5 hours the other time," shares a family who stayed at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Swimming facilities: Pools provide relief from summer heat. "The pool is small, yet well-kept and we had it to ourselves every time we went each day. The park was perfect for the kids biking around through the short- and long-term areas," notes Jason M. about Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park.
Organized activities: Some RV parks offer structured entertainment. "They have a tv, games and arts for the kids in the clubhouse. The pool was closed for the winter but I can't wait to visit again," mentions Bonnie O. about her experience at Thousand Trails San Benito.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Finding the right site impacts your comfort. "Sites need renovation and they claim it is coming. Of course they have said that for the last 3 years. Their answer to uneven sites is to give you pieces of wood to try and level. Good luck, I saw some raised up 2-3 feet," notes Rick G. about site conditions at one military campground.
Hookup arrangements: Pay attention to utility placement. "The location of the electrical/water is awkward," mentions Kandi R. about Marina Dunes RV Park, highlighting a common issue at RV parks near Pinnacles.
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary between parks. "Small spots... It's hard to get bigger Rv's into spots also. We have a 35' 5th wheel and there are only some spots that will fit it. It looks like motorhomes fit in a lot of these spots okay," warns Tonya C. about site sizes at Marina Dunes RV Park.
