Fees & Passes

Overview of entrance requirements

All visitors MUST have

* May not apply in some cases. See details below.

Entrance Passes

Standard Entrance Pass

$15.00–$30.00

A park entrance pass is required year-round at Pinnacles National Park. All vehicles must display a pass clearly visible through the windshield. Display federal lands passes, such as annual and military passes, on your dashboard with the signature and expiration date facing up. Passes are non-transferable and passholder must be present.

This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single vehicle to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.

This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling on a motorcycle, scooter, or similar motorized vehicle to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.

This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. It is valid for 1-7 days to Pinnacles East Entrance and West Entrance.

For Organizations & Businesses

Non-commercial groups traveling in vehicles that have a capacity of 16 passengers or more pay $15 per person up to the maximums listed for commercial groups with comparable passenger capacity ($40 or $100). People 15 years old or younger, anyone with a pass that may be used for park entry, and drivers hired for transportation only are exempt from the per person fee.

The charge for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $30. This entrance fee is for commercial tours of one or more people traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-15 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational puposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

This entrance fee is for commercial trous of vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the sevice. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passengers ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.

This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or more people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
Annual Entrance - Park

Annual Entrance - Park

$55.00
This pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. It covers the entrance fee to Pinnacles National Park for the pass signee and accompanying passengers entering in a single, non-commercial vehicle. Pinnacles Annual Passes are available at park entrance stations and visitor centers.

2023 Fee-free Days

No entrance pass required on these days:

 
 

Buying a Pass in Person

In addition to Pinnacles National Park Site Pass in California - Recreation.gov, you can buy a park pass at:

  • East Entrance Station (near the city of Hollister off CA HWY 25) - debit or credit cards only
  • West Entrance Station (near Soledad off the 101) - debit or credit cards only
  • West Visitor Contact Station (near the West Entrance) - cash or card
 

Electronic Passes

Purchase digital park entrance passes at Pinnacles National Park, California - Recreation.gov above at no additional cost. Buying your pass ahead of time may help expedite your trip into the park. Once purchased, passes for Pinnacles National Park must be printed or saved on your mobile device prior to use. Connectivity is limited or non-existent in the park, therefore printing the permit or saving it on your phone (so you can access it even if there is no wi-fi or cell service) is highly recommended.

The America the Beautiful, National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes, such as the Annual, Access, Military, or Senior pass, can be obtained online or at a park entrance station upon arrival.

 

Display Your Pass

Do you already have a park pass?

We encourage all visitors to bring one of the valid passes shown below or buy and print one of the four passes available online before you arrive at the park. Please review all pass purchase options and eligiblities described below.

A park entrance pass is required year round. All vehicles must display a pass clearly visible through the windshield. Display federal lands passes, such as annual and military passes, on your dashboard with the signature and expiration date facing up. Passes are non-transferable and passholder must be present.

 
 
 

 

Commercial Tour Group Fees

  • 1-6 Passenger Capacity $15 per passenger or $30, whichever is less
  • 7-15 Passenger Capacity $40.00
  • 16-25 Passenger Capacity $40.00
  • 26 + Passenger Capacity $100.00
Commercial Tour Companies must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization. Travel agencies that organize and book tour groups that will enter the park as part of business operations require a Commercial Use Authorization Permit. Find out more about Commercial Use Authorizations and permits.

Non-Commercial Groups

Groups entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 passengers or more will pay an entrance fee of $15 per person on board, with the following exceptions:

  • Anyone who is 15 years old or younger is exempt from paying any entrance fee.
  • Passes may be used for entry as defined on the back of the pass.
  • In many cases the driver will have been hired for transportation only and is exempt from paying the entrance fee.
  • The total fee charged will not exceed the equivalent commercial fee for that type of vehicle.
Are you planning an educational trip for a school group? Find out if the group is eligible for an academic fee waiver.

Last updated: September 7, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

5000 East Entrance Road
Paicines, CA 95043

Phone:

831 389-4486
Please call the number above for all park related inquiries. For camping questions contact the Pinnacles Campground at (831) 200-1722. For the park book store, please call (831) 389-4485.

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