Roadschooling Pinnacles National Park
Roadschool trip to Pinnacles National Park? Yes, please!
No many people know about the youngest national park in the U.S., which is located in the hills of Central California.
And actually, it may not seem like much at first (as we entered the park, I did initially wonder why it even made it on our list). But don’t be easily deceived, because once you get into the landscape, you will soon realize why going to Pinnacles National Park with kids made the cut!
GETTING THERE
Note that you can access Pinnacles National Park through two separate entrances:
- one on the west by way of Soledad,
and
- one on the east by way of Paicines.
HOWEVER, you cannot drive through the park from east to west/west to east. Only hiking trails connect you from one side to the other. We experienced the park via the east entrance.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND
What you will find at this park are the remains of an ancient volcanic field. Rock spires jut out throughout the landscape offering unique hiking and climbing experiences.
Besides the landscape, kids will love climbing through the talus caves (caves formed from boulders that have fallen and wedged themselves against the mountainside) and watching for California Condors!
HOW TO ROADSCHOOL AT PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK
Our family only had the morning to spare so we just hiked the very kid-friendly Moses Spring Trail/Bear Gulch Cave Trail/Rim Trail Loop. We started off at the Bear Gulch Day Use Area, where you will find parking, the Bear Gulch Nature Center, restrooms, and picnic tables.
From here, follow Moses Spring Trail which leads to Bear Gulch Cave Trail.
Once on the Bear Gulch Cave trail, continue on through the talus cave it is named after: Bear Gulch Cave.
Did you know this is home to the largest maternity colony of Townsend’s big-eared bats between San Francisco and Mexico?!
After emerging the cave, you climb up to Bear Gulch Reservoir and can head back to the day use area by way of Rim Trail. In all, this is about a 2.2 mile loop that is great for kids!
THINGS TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY FOR ROADSCSHOOLING PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK
- Pack headlamps or flashlights for exploring the dark caves.
- Before you go, make sure to check the status of the caves. Depending on the time of year, parts of it may be closed due to breeding.
Thanks for reading about our time at Pinnacles National Park with kids! Have you ever been?
Check out our other roadschool adventures at these national parks:
Three-Day Driving Itinerary Through North Cascades National Park (WA)
A Drive Around Crater Lake National Park (OR)
A Morning at Pinnacles National Park (CA)
Overnight at Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
Grand Adventure at Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Exploring Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park (CO)
One-Day Itinerary at Arches National Park (UT)
Wonderfully Wet at Zion National Park (UT)
Outdoor Science Classroom at Bryce Canyon National Park (UT)