Visitor Center Relocation

Date: October 17, 2007
Contact: Pinnacles National Monument, [phone]

Beginning October 17, 2007, Pinnacles east side Visitor Center operations will move to the monument’s campground store and Saturday, December 1, 2007, the monument will transition into operating the campground. “The Pinnacles Visitor Center will become the new starting point for visitors as they arrive on the monument’s east side,” explained Eric Brunnemann, Superintendent of Pinnacles National Monument. Fees for monument entrance and camping will be collected; sales of books and educational materials, in addition to camp store items will be available in the new Pinnacles Visitor Center. Additionally, visitors should stop at the Pinnacles Visitor Centerto buy park passes, receive information about trails, ask questions, and get a park map. “This move begins to place our visitor services for the east side away from the heart of the monument's resources, and property locates them closer to the periphery,” continued Brunnemann. The Pinnacles Visitor Center phone number will be 831-389-4485. However, Pinnacles business number will change to 831-389-4486.

This new Pinnacles Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm daily with hours increasing during the spring busy season. “This is a short term transitional operation as the monument begins to run the campground operation. Long term plans are being developed through the General Management Planning process currently underway,” explained Brunnemann. 

By late 2007 or early 2008, campers wishing to make reservations need to contact Reserve America at www.reserveamerica.com. BetweenDecember 1, 2007, and when reservations are handled by Reserve America, campsites are available on a walk-in basis only. At this time, Pinnacles does not have a specific date that reservations will be handled by Reserve America. Please check the monument’s web pages for updates at www.nps.gov/pinn

The building that previously hosted the visitor center will now become the Bear Gulch Nature Center. The Nature Centerwill be open and operated by monument staff, Western National Parks Association, Volunteers, and park partners with reduced hours. The monument will continue to have exhibits, educational opportunities, and book sales from the Nature Center.

Road signage will be changed by late November to direct visitors from Highway 146 to the new visitor center. Park-wide changes in maps, trail signs, and our web site, will begin in earnest, but will take at least 12 months to complete. We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding during this transition.

Additional information and other monument information can be obtained by visiting www.nps.gov/pinn or by calling 831-389-4485.