elizabethadventuresblogPinnacles National Park got its name from the pinnacle rocks towering over this park, but the caves below are a unique and exciting experience to this park! The Pinnacles National Park caves are one of the big draws to this park and I’ll share everything you need to know about these caves before you head to the park.
One of the things that makes these caves so special is that many of the rocks are covered in a vibrant lime green moss and there are seasonal waterfalls as water flows through the caves. Timing your visit to this park to see the water is definitely a fun experience, but they are amazing to see no matter what time of year you go!
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Things to Know About Pinnacles National Park Caves
- The caves aren’t actually caves! Over thousands of years, as water eroded away at the towering rocks above thanks to erosion, landslides and earthquakes, large chunks sometimes the size of buildings broke off. These rocks fell down to the chasms below. The largest rocks couldn’t fit into the chasms, creating “roofs” overhead. These “roofs” form what is now known as the Pinnacles National Park caves. This type of cave is referred to as a talus cave.
- If you visit Pinnacles National Park in the winter months you may spot thousands of ladybugs huddled together throughout the Park. The most common area to see them is around the Bear Gulch Trail, Old Pinnacles Trail and the Moses Springs Picnic Area. The lady bugs primarily live in the crop fields down in the valleys below Pinnacles National Park. During colder months, when the temperatures drop below 55 degrees, they congregate in the park in swarms, creating hibernating colonies. You can learn more about them, here.
- Rain affects this park in many ways. Most don’t think of California for its abundance in rain, but Pinnacles National Park gets a fair amount and it greatly affects the caves as well as their access to them. During the warmer summer and fall months, the caves will actually be dry, without any running water inside. During winter and spring though there can be water running through them, creating amazing seasonal waterfalls. It also can cause flooding which will close the caves for prolonged periods of time. Always check the park website, here, for cave updates.
- The caves have a lot of skylights due to how they were formed by falling rocks. This does allow for areas of greater visibility, but you still need a headlamp or strong flashlight. It is extremely important you use one that has NO LESS THAN 600 lumens. I use one that is 900 lumens and even it doesn’t feel like enough sometimes. When you visit a cave with a rental option they usually provide light sources that are 1,000 lumen. It’s extremely important you enter with two light sources so you have a backup in case you first light goes out and/or carry extra batteries. Never use your cellphone as your main source of light.
- The park is made up of two areas: east and west. The east side and west side of the park cannot be driven between without leaving the park. If you wish to visit both sides of Pinnacles National Park, you will need to drive an hour north or south to go around the park. The hiking trails connect the two sides of the park though. If your short on time you can still see a lot of the park in one day or two just by hiking.
- Pets are not allowed in any of the buildings or hiking trails within Pinnackes National Park. They are only allowed in the picnic areas, campground, parking lots, and on paved roads. It is best to leave your pets at home while visiting here unless you must bring them along. Never leave a pet unattended in a car if the conditions are unsafe.
- Pinnacles National Park is greatly known for the California Condors that call this beautiful park home. California Condors are an endangered species. Pinnacles joined the recovery program in 2003 as a release sight for these birds. Being able to see these birds in their natural habitat again within the park is a special sight and worth a visit to the park alone. You can learn more about these amazing birds and what is being done to help them survive extinction, here. Never touch, approach or pester these beautiful birds.
- The caves are a must-see sight within Pinnacles National Park, but getting above the rocks and seeing the park from above is an amazing experience. You can use my guide “High Peaks Trail” to learn about the best viewpoint hike in Pinnacles. If you have the time and ability to comfortably do both, this is a must-do add on trail.
Before you Visit Pinnacle National Park Caves
Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in existing campsites rather than over vegetation.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag back to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind. Being a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly. Same goes for dog poop. Properly bury it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them.
- Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plants off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never write or carve into rocks. It is illegal and highly finable. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use existing fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing with multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away.
- Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum or 100 yard for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road.
- Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way. Safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!
Pinnacles National Park Caves Locations
Pinnacles Nationals Park is located just over 2 hours south of San Francisco and 4.5 hours north of Los Angeles. It is directly east of Big Sur, and just under a two hour drive from the California coast. Visitors can reach the east side of the park off of CA-20 or the west side of the park through Soledad.
The Pinnacles National Park Caves are located at different entrances, which require driving a minimum of an hour around the park to reach the other side. It is best to do them between two days, but is possible to do in one day if you start early. Balconies Cave is the only cave located on the west side of the park. Upper and Lower Bear Gulch Caves are located on the east side of the park. There is more information on where to park for each cave below.
Best Time of Year to Visit Pinnacles National Park Caves
This National Park is amazing all year, but depending on the type of experience and sights you hope to see will greatly determine when you go. If you want warm, dry weather the summer and fall months are best to visit here. There will be less chances of rain in the park, but it will be hot and seasonal waterfalls in the caves is not very likely. Temperatures here will range from mid 70’s to 90’s.
If you are hoping to see the seasonal water in the caves, you’ll want to plan your visit in the winter or spring. There is usually an increase in visitors during the spring months as the weather warms. Going this time of year also greatly increases your chances of the caves closing dues to flooding or incoming weather storms. Be flexible and know there may be closures when you go. Temperatures will range from 60-80’s.
The Caves of Pinnacles National Park
The Pinnacle National Park Caves are such a fun, family friendly hike. Because they are not truly caves, they make for a unique experience. Not to mention they are quite beautiful inside. Below is everything you need to know about the caves of Pinnacles National Park. Learn the best route to hike to them, where in the park they are located and what to expect once inside of them.
Bear Gulch Lower Cave
Bear Gulch Lower Cave is without a doubt the most amazing and beautiful of the caves. The rock walls are lined with a vibrant green moss and the stairs within make for a fun experience. It was such a fun cave to hike when I did because it had seasonal waterfalls flowing. The lower area of the cave did have standing water flooding the trail, but there were plenty of rocks to walk across and keep my feet dry.
The stairs had sections of darkness and light which gave the cave different experiences. The top of the cave has a very narrow and low ceiling. There is a bridge at the top that crosses a seasonal waterfall. Just past the waterfall there are stairs to a dead end and the cave exit. In order to exit the cave hikers will need to either crawl or squat through the small entrance to the cave.
Entering from the top of Lower Cave can be a bit daunting as hikers can’t see well into the cave until being in the cave. The entrance looks like a tiny hole with a metal grate to walk across. I was a bit unsure entering that way but exiting was much easier since I knew what to expect and could see our of the cave from inside. As hikers exit the cave above, there are some narrow stairs to navigate before the trail continues to Upper Cave.
Location: West Entrance at the Moses Springs Parking Lot or Bear Gulch Day Use Area. The Moses Spring lot is extremely small, so if there isn’t space available, a short distance prior is the Bear Gulch Day Use Area.
Best Route: The most popular way to enter the Bear Gulch Lower Cave is by taking the Moses Spring Trail to the Bear Gulch Cave Trail. This route allows you to enter the cave from below and climb the staircases to the top. From there most hikers exit the cave at the top and continue on their route.
If you are going to simply hike to the reservoir and back you can either take the Lower Cave there and back to experience it twice or take the Moses Spring junction above or below the cave to be able to hike above the cave. I chose to hike the Moses Spring Trail to the top entrance of the cave, then hiked down into the cave to lower entrance. I then returned up the cave to reach the reservoir because I did this trail as a loop instead of an out and back.
If you are also doing the Rim Trail Loop but don’t want to have to add on distance, albeit short, like I did, be sure to take the Bear Gulch Cave Trail to the lower cave entrance. From there you can hike up the cave and continue to the reservoir and Rim Trail.
Bear Gulch Upper Cave
Bear Gulch Upper Cave is by far the smallest of the three caves, and honestly, doesn’t really feel like a cave. At no point is a head lamp needed. The Bear Gulch Upper Cave is merely walking under a few large boulders that have fallen down. The climb down into the cave is somewhat steep, but easy. It could be slippery when wet so if you are uncomfortable with steeper inclines, use a hiking pole to help you feel comfortable. It is a short section before it flattens out.
In order to exit the cave, hikers must climb up a narrow staircase carved into the rock. There is a waterfall to the left as water pours out of the Bear Gulch Reservoir. The staircase leads up to the reservoir where you can enjoy time wandering the lake or continuing on the Rim Trail. If you do not want to make this a loop hike or are uncomfortable with the stairs to exit, you can make this a turn around point and continue back the way you came.
Location: West Entrance at the Moses Springs Parking Lot or Bear Gulch Day Use Area. The Moses Spring lot is extremely small, so if there isn’t space available, a short distance prior is the Bear Gulch Day Use Area.
Best Route: Bear Gulch Cave is located just past the Bear Gulch Lower Cave. The more popular route to reach the upper cave is to follow the route to the Lower Cave and continue to the Upper Cave after exiting. Bear Gulch Upper Cave is accessible without having to go through Bear Gulch Lower Cave for anyone uncomfortable with the dark, smaller spaces. If you wish to bypass the Lower Cave and just hike through the Upper Cave and beyond, be sure to stay on the Moses Spring Trail junction instead of continuing on the Bear Gulch Trail into the Lower Cave.
Balconies Cave
This is the cave I was unable to enter when I visited Pinnacles National Park. The day I arrived to the west side of the park, after exploring the east side the day prior, a large storm was predicted to hit sometime that day. The park closed all the caves that morning not knowing when the rain would arrive for safety. I was able to hike to the caves entrance, but that is as far as I could make it.
The trail to the entrance of Balconies Cave is quite peaceful. There are large rock walls towering over both sides of the trail, bright green moss and multiple bridged stream crossings.
Once hikers reach the entrance of the cave the trail narrows and hikers must be comfortable climbing over large boulders and a narrow path to the entrance. There is an extremely large boulder hikers want to go to the right of to reach the cave entrance. It is a narrow opening where sitting water created a pool. I was able to stay dry, but it took some work to maneuver over the rocks. This is as far as I was able to go. There is a gate at the entrance that will be open if you may enter.
Once hikers enter the cave there will be two chambers to navigate through. There is a section of light between the two chambers and another gate at the exit. Hikers can either return through the cave to return to the trailhead or take the Balconies Cliff Trail to hike above the cave and return to the parking lot.
Location: Balconies Cave is the only cave located in the west side of the park. The trailhead is located at the end of Chalone Creek Road, next to the Chaparrel Picnic Area.
Best Route: There is only one trail that leads to Balconies Cave. From the parking lot the first options is to follow the trail that loops through the Chaparrel Picnic Area and meets with the Balconies Trail. The second options is to follow the Juniper Canyon Trail to Balconies Trail.
What to Bring Into Pinnacle National Park Caves
The 10 Essentials
No matter the length of difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these items in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is a more difficult hike and if there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail you will want to have these items on hand. In addition, you can always help a fellow hiker in need.
Backpack
Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water and supplies. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency everyone should be individually prepared. I like to use one between 25-28L so I have plenty of room for food and layers. I have the Gregory Jade 28 and the REI Trail 25.
Hiking Shoes
Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. This trail can be wet and rocks will be slick. Water proof shoes are best if the trail is wet.
Headlamp or Flashlight
Entering the cave with a good light source is extremely important to be able to safely navigate the caves safely. Never use a cellphone as the main light source as they do not produce enough light nor can you rely on their battery to last. Use a light source no less than 600 lumens but 900 or greater is best for dark caves. I use this Petzl headlamp that is 900 lumens and have loved it for years!
Reminders
- Know your limits and be okay turning around if you are uncomfortable. No trail is worth pushing yourself too far or putting yourself in a position you don’t feel safe. The caves are an amazing experiences but you can do Bear Gulch Upper Cave and not put yourself in a small dark cave if you are uncomfortable.
- Always enter the caves with at least two different light sources. Your cell phone should not be your primary light source. It’s important you have new batteries or extras with you as a back up as well. Although the caves have plenty of lit areas from openings above, there are areas that are completely dark. If you do not have a light source other than your phone with you, do not enter the caves.
- The Bear Gulch Caves have multiple routes and trails interacting when you look on the park maps. Be sure to reach my route options above while looking at the map before you go so you can plan out what route you want to go. There is no right or wrong way to experience these caves and it’s up to individuals which trails they would like to see.
- If you visit the park during fall through spring know that there is a chance the caves could be closed due to flooding or incoming weather. When I visited in January, I was able to hike the Bear Gulch Caves. The next day a storm was predicted to hit in the afternoon/evening sometime and the caves were shut down in advance of the storm hitting. It was a bummer since the rain didn’t come until it was dark out, but it’s part of the risk visitors take going during these months.
- Be sure to check out my trail guide to the most beautiful trail in Pinnacles to make the most of your trip! You can use my guide “High Peaks Trail” to learn about the best viewpoint hike in Pinnacles. If you have the time and ability to comfortably do both, this is a must-do add on trail.
I hope this guide helps you with your adventure to the Pinnacles National Park caves! They are a fun experience and so beautiful. Hopefully you can see them all, but be flexible and know that inclement weather is part of this park and it’s closures. If you can’t do them all its just a good excuse to go back someday, like I will need to do! If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below.
Happy Hiking,
Elizabeth
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