Bear Gulch Cave

Located inside the Pinnacles National Park, this talus cave has become famous for its resident colony of Townsends big-eared bats. Because this species is on the verge of being threatened, special measures have been taken to protect them in this natural environment. So while the cave is generally open to hikers and visitors, it is generally closed between May and July while the bats breed and raise their young. If it is open, then the 1.5-mile loop through the boulders is guaranteed to be a memorable hike. The narrow canyons and dimly lit tunnels open up to the beautiful Bear Gulch Reservoir, a manmade lake surrounded by rock formations and shrub-covered hills.