Release Date: January 13, 2023
Contact: Chris Symons, Public Information Officer and media contact Adtl.
Contact: Park General Info 831-389-4579, OR Adam Leavy, Chief of Maintenance

Pinnacles National Park Opens After Flooding Closure

PAICINES, CA - Pinnacles National Park is re-opening as scheduled Friday, 1/13/23, after closing due to flooding and hazardous conditions earlier this week. While some damage and storm conditions remain, the park is able to resume operations on both sides Friday morning.

Specific areas, like the caves and Chaparral parking lot, will remain closed for continued repairs.

A few trails and roads will remain closed as they require continued servicing, or more time to allow hazards to abate; The Balconies and Bear Gulch caves, the Chaparral parking lot, and the Chalone Peak trail beginning at the reservoir, are closed pending further repairs. The rest of the park is once again open to visitation and hiking. Visitors are still strongly encouraged to exercise caution as hazards may still remain from the storm, and new hazards can always arise from continued rain and wind conditions.

Several trails, such as Old Pinnacles, are open but have multiple creek crossings that require hikers to be calf-deep in the flowing river. Tree and rock falls on roads and trails, and rivers running over the roads and trails at stream crossings, are the most common environmental hazards a visitor is likely to encounter when visiting after a storm. Use extreme caution when recreating in wild spaces, such as National Parks! Conditions can change rapidly, and don't always reflect the expectations of current weather. It is critical that visitors plan ahead, as certain routes may not be passable due to closures and hazards.

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