CA · Pacific West · 2026 exact answer
No road connects the East and West at Pinnacles: what applies in 2026?
Direct answer
No road connects the East and West entrances - you cannot drive through Pinnacles
Exact conditions
- Status
- Not required; the stated access rule still applies
- Applies to
- vehicles
- Place or corridor
- Between the East entrance (CA Highway 25 near Hollister) and the West entrance (Highway 146 near Soledad off US 101)
- Effective dates
- January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
- Release model
- first come
Fee detail: One entrance pass is honored at both entrances, so choosing a side does not change the fee.
Exceptions and limits
- The shortest driving route between the two entrances is through King City on Highway 101.
- Hikers can cross between the two sides on foot via park trails.
- Highway 146 becomes a one-lane road on the West side.
Official source
National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026
Important Travel Information: No Through Road. When visiting Pinnacles National Park, it's important to note that there is no road connecting the East and West entrances of the park. The shortest route between the two entrances is through King City on Hwy 101.
Directions - Pinnacles National Park