Pinnacles National Monument is an expansion of an existing unit of the National Park System. The Pinnacles National Monument is located southeast of the city of San Jose. It is currently 16,265 acres in size, of which 12,952 acres are designated Wilderness. In a curious twist of fate, the Pinnacles National Monument was originally established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 under the Antiquities Act -- the same law under which President Clinton expanded the area. Initially, it was only 2,060 acres in size, but has been expanded five times by past Presidents and once by Congress.
With the new proclamation by President Clinton in November 2000, an additional 8,000 acres were to the Pinnacles National Monument, bringing it to a total of 24,265 acres. The additions consist of lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, including the 5,949-acre Pinnacles Wilderness Study Area.
Pinnacles National Monument features complex geology, dramatic 1,000-foot rock spires, caves, and a variety of volcanic formations. The area supports rich and varied flora and fauna. In addition to protecting wilderness quality lands, the lands added to the existing monument will protect important watersheds and habitat for amphibians, reptiles, and a host of raptors such as prairie falcons, golden eagles, and red-tailed hawks.
Pinnacles National Monument is open year-round, due to its relatively low elevation (the high point is 3,305 feet). Rock climbing, hiking, and camping are popular activities in the monument.
