Regulations United States Pinnacles National Park
Bear Gulch Cave
Caving
Regulations on 31 October 2026
Signs at the site and later resolutions prevail; check the source.
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Prohibited during a period
Caving · 15 May to 15 Jul
Not in force on 31 October 2026
- - Bear Gulch Cave Closures for Wildlife Protection
- - All or portions of the Bear Gulch Cave system will be closed according to the following schedule:
July 15 through May 15: Upper 1/3 of the cave closed
May 15 through July 15: Entire cave closed
0-4 weeks mid spring (March): Entire cave may be open
0-4 weeks mid fall (October): Entire cave may be open
High water events Entire cave closed
Published by National Park Service, 23 Dec 2025 · Pinnacles National Park Superintendent’s Compendium, December 2025
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Prohibited all year
Caving · All year
In force on 31 October 2026
- - Bear Gulch Cave Closures for Wildlife Protection
- - All or portions of the Bear Gulch Cave system will be closed according to the following schedule:
July 15 through May 15: Upper 1/3 of the cave closed
May 15 through July 15: Entire cave closed
0-4 weeks mid spring (March): Entire cave may be open
0-4 weeks mid fall (October): Entire cave may be open
High water events Entire cave closed
Sectors:
- Upper 1/3 of the cave
Published by National Park Service, 23 Dec 2025 · Pinnacles National Park Superintendent’s Compendium, December 2025
In Pinnacles National Park
Regulated zone
Pinnacles National Park
These hold everywhere inside the boundary, whether or not a site is marked.
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Regulated
Climbing · All year
In force on 31 October 2026
- - Off Trail Hiking and Rock Climbing
- - Off trail hiking and rock climbing may be restricted in areas so designated for protection of park resources. These areas will be posted with signs and printed material will be made available to visitors at the entrance station, visitor centers and website (www.nps.gov/PINN).
[…]
- - Raptor and Condor Advisories and Closures
- - To maximize the potential of successful nest establishment Pinnacles National Park has, since 1988, advised that all visitors refrain from rock climbing and off-trail hiking in sensitive areas during the raptor nesting season. These same areas are also often used by the critically endangered California Condor for which additional advisories and closures may be placed into effect.
[…]
Technical Rock Climbing:
- - Technical rock climbing is allowed anywhere other than as provided below and with the following restrictions:
- - Stretching climbing ropes across Park hiking trails to the point of restricting hiker access is prohibited (not to include climbing access trails).
- - The use of powered devices to drill or fashion rock to facilitate climbing is prohibited.
- - Travel to and from designated climbing areas is limited to designated trails marked by a sign with the symbol of a carabineer.
- - There is a maximum group size of 12 people each at Uppercrust, Lowercrust, Toprope Wall, and Tourist Trap.
Published by National Park Service, 23 Dec 2025 · Pinnacles National Park Superintendent’s Compendium, December 2025
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Regulated
Hiking · All year
In force on 31 October 2026
- - Off Trail Hiking and Rock Climbing
- - Off trail hiking and rock climbing may be restricted in areas so designated for protection of park resources. These areas will be posted with signs and printed material will be made available to visitors at the entrance station, visitor centers and website (www.nps.gov/PINN).
[…]
- - Condor Release Site
- - The following areas are closed to prevent unnecessary human interactions with the endangered California condor. The size of the area, about a one-half mile radius around the site, provides a visual and aural buffer from human disturbance for the animals.
- - The following areas, based on the Mount Diablo Meridian, San Benito County, and within the boundaries of Pinnacles National Park, CA are closed to public access, use of fire, and smoking:
[…]
- - These advisories generally do not affect hiking along the Park’s primary trail system.
Published by National Park Service, 23 Dec 2025 · Pinnacles National Park Superintendent’s Compendium, December 2025
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Regulated
Camping & bivouac · All year
In force on 31 October 2026
- - Unless permitted by the Superintendent, all areas of Pinnacles National Park are closed to overnight parking and camping.
- - Camping is prohibited in all parking areas, roadside pullouts, picnic areas, trailheads or any other area not designated as a campsite.
- - The purchasing of a campsite within Pinnacles Campground is considered a permit to camp, but only within the site purchased.
Published by National Park Service, 23 Dec 2025 · Pinnacles National Park Superintendent’s Compendium, December 2025