Overview

Established in 2013, Pinnacles is the youngest U.S. National Park but a most ancient place: millions of years of erosion, faulting, and plate tectonics are responsible for creating the park's signature spires and rock formations. East of the Salinas Valley in central California, with its main entrance close to the city of Soledad, the park is home to prairie falcons, and the rare California condor also inhabits the High Peaks area of Pinnacles' 26,000 acres of wilderness. The pinnacles, popular with climbers, are remains of a long-dead volcano that over time has been moved 150 miles from its original location along the San Andreas Fault. The formations separate the park into eastern and western sections that cannot be traversed by road but are connected by more than 30 miles of trails. Visitors tend to avoid the summer heat; spring is especially popular for seeing the spectacular wildflower blooms. Established: January 10, 2013 Area: 26,606 acres Website: [www.nps.gov/pinn](http://www.nps.gov/pinn)