Pinnacles National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

Duration8h - 9h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

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*

What's included

Pause, rewind, or replay anytime
Lifetime access after purchase
Built-in turn-by-turn route guidance
Self-paced experience with no fixed start time
Storytelling based on firsthand travel and research
GPS-triggered audio with automatic playback at each stop
Offline access after download

Private Transportation
Meals & Refreshments

What to expect

Pinnacles National Park East Visitor Center
10m

Pick up some supplies or ask about the latest information before venturing into the park.
20m

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.
10m

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.
2h

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.
2h

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.
2h

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.
5m

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.
15m

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.
2h

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.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

From North – North of the East Pinnacles entrance, southbound on Route 25

From South – South of the East Pinnacles entrance, Northbound on Route 25

West – Soledad, CA, on Route 146/Metz Road eastbound by Gabilan Elementary School

End point

From North – North of the East Pinnacles entrance, southbound on Route 25

From South – South of the East Pinnacles entrance, Northbound on Route 25

West – Soledad, CA, on Route 146/Metz Road eastbound by Gabilan Elementary School

Additional information

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.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
The tour has two separate sections: East Pinnacles and West Pinnacles.
The east and west sides of the park are not connected by road inside the park.
To drive between East and West Pinnacles, plan for about an hour around the outside of the park.
Shuttle service may operate during busy periods.
Bring a flashlight or headlamp if you plan to explore the caves.

Cancellation policy

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