Picnicking in Pinnacles National Park

Picinic area on a cloudy day

NPS Photo/Chris Symons

Looking for a quiet place to eat and relax?  Pinnacles offers a number of picnic areas throughout the park. These areas are first come, first serve only and most offer an elevated grill.  As you prepare and enjoy your meal, help protect the park, wildlife, and yourself:

• Never feed wild animals, including birds and squirrels
  Resist the temptation to feed wildlife and keep a safe and respectful distance. Animals that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and may cause serious injury and possible infection. Feeding wildlife can be as direct as offering a bit of your lunch, to leaving your food or garbage exposed for animals to find. It may take just one experience for an animal to learn “people” equals “food.” Wildlife depend on natural behavior for survival, once a wild animal becomes food-conditioned it loses its natural fear of people and public places. Not feeding park animals keeps you safe and the wildlife wild.
• Store all food when not in use
  Keep all food and smelly items in an enclosed vehicle or in food lockers at the campground so that animals cannot access them. Coolers in the back of pickup trucks are not secure enough. Place all garbage inside an animal-proof garbage can or dumpster.
• Use stoves and fire properly
  Camp stoves, hibachis, and portable barbecues may be used to prepare food in designated areas. Wood fires are not allowed at Peaks View Picnic Area at anytime. No gathering of firewood is allowed. Do not leave fires unattended and extinguish and cool hot contents after use. Hot contents must not be disposed of in trash receptacles or on the ground. Check fire restrictions and current conditions prior to your visit.
• Do not camp in picnic areas
  Overnight camping is not allowed in picnic areas. In the campground, keep a clean campsite and pack out all food and garbage.

Details

Activity

Picnicking

Age(s)

All ages, but minors must be with an adult parent or guardian.

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

All structures and areas of the Park are closed to the possession of pets except developed picnic areas, within 10 feet of paved roads and parking areas, within the boundaries of the campground, within 10 ft. of the dirt road from the campground through the Bacon Ranch historic area to the gate ½ mile to the south, and within 25 ft. of the structures at the Bacon Ranch historic area.
Pets must be on a leash and not left unattended and tied to an object in the park.

Activity Fee

No

No additional fee to picnic but there is a park entrance fee. Learn more about Fees and Passes.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Please check current conditions for weather and fire restrictions. Fire restrictions are typically in place from mid June through October.

Time of Day

Any Time

Accessibility Information

*Service animals are permitted