Pinnacles Visitor Center — Attraction in Soledad

This place is absolutely amazing, and I will definitely be back, but KEEP IN MIND that it is LITERALLY Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom out here, and resources are limited.

My last day, I was packing and a deer came into the ravine behind my camp. I watched it run around in circles for 5 solid min before I realized that it was making sure I wasn’t a threat. Then it signaled to the tiniest baby fawn I’ve ever seen that it was okay to come out, and I spent the next 5 watching it run around with a case of the zoomies. It wasn’t 50’ from me, it was the happiest creature I’ve ever seen, I had it all to myself, and it was GLORIOUS. But if you’re camping…

Lock. up. EVERYTHING.

There’s a food box on site, but the raccoons can be aggressive and will walk right up and take stuff right off the table you’re sitting at - also the biggest ravens I’ve ever seen. My neighbors left their stuff out, but I put all of mine away, and I still lost some shinies, including a tent peg that the raccoons had to have pulled right out of the ground.

I met my neighbors when they came to inform me that they had chased a raccoon out of my trunk, and I might want to close it between trips while unloading.

I camped for two nights IN the campground, and a wild boar came into my campsite, even with everything put away. I fled my tent to sleep in the car, because even the raccoons I had been battling for hours were terrified and they outnumbered it 8:1.

No backcountry camping is available due to animal and fire risk, but even at HIGH level we were allowed a fire in the campground. Firewood is for sale in the camp store, which closes at 5pm.

I was advised against hiking alone at night, because there are mountain lions! The guy at the visitor center was quite detailed about how they hunt.

DON’T hike alone here at night!

Bring BUG SPRAY(I used an entire bottle), sunblock (same), a hat with a wide brim, at least twice as much water as you think you’ll need, and don’t forget to drink even if you’re not sweating. You are, it’s just evaporating too fast to accumulate, or you’re already dehydrated. DRINK. MORE. WATER.

Wifi is available at the campground visitor center starting at $3/hour up to $10/week, but I didn’t use it, because I found that I got a decent signal sitting at the picnic table by the shuttle bus stop, though no signal AT ALL anywhere else.

Grades can be steep, cover is limited, altitude can be high - so again: WATER, SUNBLOCK, HAT.

Wear long pants and boots, EVEN IN THE HEAT, because there are RATTLESNAKES, and most trails are considered “Moderate” to “Strenuous” due to rough terrain. I wore 5-11 tactical boots even on the Condor Gulch Trail and I was glad for them.

The only drinkable water in the campground is at the showers, and there are only 4 (2 men, 3 women) for the whole camp to share, but there’s also a pool! It was ICE cold, even on a 92 degree day, but it’s only open 10-6, and will be busy in the hot afternoon, so plan accordingly.

I was there Tu-Th in June and I felt like I practically had the place to myself, but parking is VERY limited, and they don’t allow street parking, so if you’re NOT camping, especially on weekends and during peak season, come early or you’ll have to wait to get in. Parking for two vehicles was available at my tent-only site.

It’s kinda pricey to visit ($30/car of up to 5 people), so if you think you’ll visit again, or have plans for any other National Parks, be sure to ask them to apply your admission to the cost of a yearly pass. The National Parks pass is $80/year, so after three visits, it’s paid for itself.

All in all, I had a great time, and I will definitely recommend this place straight across the board. Please don’t let any of these things deter you, I even managed to go home without a sunburn as a ginger, so it’s totally doable for you too! Just be prepared, or you’re gonna have a bad time.

It’s the wilds out here!

10/10 would definitely battle raccoons to defend marshmallows again

Oh, yeah - and...

The rangers here are incredibly rude. There was nowhere to park to be able to hike, and the ada accessible routes were closed off by a very annoyed ranger that belittled us for not being physically able to hike the few miles to the ada compliant trails. The nature center was closed with no warning due to structural damage. That should have been noted on the website at the very least. Again, this information was delivered with an eye roll from a park ranger that didn't want to talk to visitors. He told us to wait until the camp store's visitor center re-opened. Yes, re-opened. They were closed during peak hours, so the only ranger or basic information came from the disgruntled ranger blocking the road. I'm currently disputing my entrance fee. Don't waste your time unless you're able-bodied or camping. Even then, there are much better parks to give your time...

I'm very nice visitor center and store right next to it. You could get firewood and ice at the store as well as drinks and snacks and souvenirs. The visitor center had souvenirs as well which was nice. Junior ranger books were not available at The visitor center had to go up to the nature center about 2 to 3 mi away no big deal. We saw a lot of birds we're hoping to see the Condor only ended up with turkey vultures. This National Park does have a pool which makes it somewhat unique only available to registered campers. Very busy and difficult to get around strongly suggest you use the shuttle service. Campground was full mid February. Saw some type of groundhog / prairie dog I think it was a prairie dog and lots of big large turkeys! Great hiking with...