Pinnacles National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

Explore Pinnacles National Park with a tour that plays from your phone as you drive and hike. Start on the east or west side, follow clear GPS directions, and choose the stops that fit your day. This hidden California park feels wild and quiet. Walk past tall rock spires, dry hills, and giant boulders stacked in narrow canyons. Stop near the Pinnacles Visitor Center, Bacon Family Ranch, Peaks View Picnic Area, and Bear Gulch Day Use Area. Hike the Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop, step into cool talus caves, and look up for California condors soaring above the cliffs. Your phone shares stories about the old volcano that made these strange peaks. It also points out trailheads, picnic spots, rest areas, and local tips along the way. Once set up, the tour works without cell service, so you can keep exploring even when the signal drops. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

1. 1

   Pinnacles National Park East Visitor Center

   10 min

   Pick up some supplies or ask about the latest information before venturing into the park.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   20 min

   A flat, half mile round trip walk from the visitor center takes you to what remains of the Bacon Family Ranch, including the house and barn. You're not able to go inside the buildings, but the walk is pleasant with plentiful bird life.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   10 min

   A few picnic tables and a vault restroom sit in front of a meadow along the Chalone Creek, making for a pleasant place to sit and look for wildlife.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   2 hours

   A 5 mile round trip, moderate hike takes you to the West Pinnacles area around Balconies Cave. The hike goes past brush and rock formations, and crosses seasonal creeks.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   2 hours

   This is the most popular part of the park and includes a nature center, restrooms, and multiple trailheads. Condor Gulch begins at the trailhead across the street from the nature center, close to the road. For the Condor Gulch viewpoint only, it's a moderate hike one mile round trip, going uphill in and downhill on the return. To complete the Condor Gulch to High Peaks Trail loop, it's over 5 miles round trip and considered difficult, requiring 3-5 hours. Prepare for steep or narrow sections, and some ladders built directly into the rock for steep ascents. For the Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop, continue on the path along the road to reach the trailhead.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   2 hours

   The Moses Spring-Rim Trail loop is the most popular trail in the park, taking you into a talus cave and up to a reservoir. The hike is a little over 2 miles round trip and considered moderate. We recommend doing the loop clockwise for an easier entry into Bear Gulch cave. You will need a light stronger than a phone's flashlight in the cave, which takes around 10 minutes to walk through. It's possible to bypass the cave.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   5 min

   Use the restroom, fill up the water bottle, and ask for the lastest information before venturing further into the park. The trailhead to the Prewett Point Trail is located next to the visitor center.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   15 min

   An overlooked gem! Prewett Point Trail is about a mile round trip, and considered easy. The path is primarily dirt but is ADA accessible, and takes you to open views of the pinnacles and Gabilan Mountains.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   2 hours

   This is the best trailhead in West Pinnacles. The Balconies Cliff and Cave loop trail is about 2.5 miles round trip and considered moderate. It takes you past stunning pinnacles and cliffs, and into one of the park's talus caves. The cave requires a small amount of climbing and bouldering around rocks, and also requires a light stronger than a phone flashlight. We recommend taking the loop clockwise for easier access into the cave, and you can climb up instead of down in the dark. The Juniper Canyon Loop is over 4 miles round trip and considered difficult. It goes up into the pinnacles and connects with the High Peaks trail for an even longer journey.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
• The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.