Bear Gulch Day Use Area

The Bear Gulch Day Use Area is a family outdoor recreation area that includes picnic table, grills, a nature center, and access to all of the various activities on the east side of Pinnacles National Park, including rock climbing (such as Tourist Trap, Discovery Wall, and The Monolith), hiking (such as the Moses Spring Trail), the Bear Gulch Caves, and the High Peaks. Perfect as a staging area for a day's worth of adventure or as a home base for families looking for a table to spread out on, the Bear Gulch Day Use Area has potable water and a restroom at both its upper and lower ends. Steller's jays, acorn woodpeckers, and squirrels are common critter sightings that little ones can enjoy, and even the majestic California condor may make appearances overhead.

Pinnacles National Park is the newest national park in the United States, acquiring this status in 2013 after being originally established as a national monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. The park features dramatic volcanic rock formations including high peaks, caves, and highly-featured walls that are well suited to rock climbing. The peaks rising above the surrounding farms and grasslands host one of the highest densities of prairie falcons in North America as well as reintroduced California condors and a growing population of peregrine falcons. Other wildlife include coyote, bobcat, California quail, golden eagle, and cougar.