News Release

Public Comment Period for East Side Entrance Station

Date: April 18, 2018

Release Date: April 18, 2018
Contact: Karen Beppler-Dorn, Superintendent [phone]

Pinnacles National Park Seeks Public Review of Proposed Action for Replacement of the East Side Entrance Station

PAICINES – The National Park Service (NPS) is considering three alternatives for the relocation of the Pinnacles National Park east side entrance station. Superintendent Karen Beppler-Dorn invites the public to comment on the current location and two locations closer to the current park boundary at State Route 25.  

During peak periods, visitors are often directed to turn off for parking before reaching the current entrance station near the visitor center.  The existing entrance station has been obsolete since 2006, when expansion of the park resulted in it being located approximately 2.5 miles from the boundary. Because the entrance station is beyond the overflow parking area, it is often shut down during peak periods. This arrangement confuses visitors and results in lost fee revenue because vehicles are diverted into parking areas before they reach the entrance station. A new entrance sign and turnout would also be constructed to mark the expanded park boundary.

Under the NPS proposed action, the entrance station would be reconstructed approximately 0.43 miles from the State Route 25 intersection (north site). The alternative site for the new entrance station would be adjacent to the day use area of the campground (south site) 1.8 miles from the boundary.

Public participation is important to the success of this project, and the park is interested in your comments on the proposed action. Public comments will be accepted through May 8, 2018. The press release, a brief alternative description, and maps are available electronically for review and comment online by visiting the website for the NPS’s Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) system https://parkplanning.nps.gov/PINNEastEntrance. Comments also may be sent to:

Superintendent
Pinnacles National Park
5000 Highway 146 
Paicines, CA 95043

Commenters should be aware that their entire comment – including personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While commenters can ask that their personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the National Park Service cannot guarantee that this will be possible.