Bear Gulch Cave seasonally closed to protect at Pinnacles: what applies in 2026?

Exact conditions

Status

Not required; the stated access rule still applies

Applies to

specific area

Place or corridor

Bear Gulch Cave, East side - Lower Cave and Upper Cave sections. Balconies Cave on the West side is a separate cave.

Effective dates

January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026

Release model

first come

Release detail: No booking system. Dates shift with bat breeding patterns, so NPS publishes a typical schedule rather than fixed dates.

Fee detail: No separate cave fee; park entrance fee applies.

Exceptions and limits

• No permit or ticket is needed for either cave - this is a closure, not a reservation.
• As of the 2026-07-26 check: Bear Gulch Lower Cave CLOSED, Upper Cave CLOSED, Balconies Cave OPEN.
• Both sections close mid-May through mid-July for the bat pupping season.
• The Lower Cave is typically open mid-July to mid-May; the Upper Cave is rarely open.
• The entire cave usually opens for at least the last week of March and of October.
• Caves also close for flooding, rockfall, and other emergencies - always check before visiting.
• Headlamp or flashlight needed; both caves require scrambling.