Pinnacles in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Best window · VisitWhen score 66/100 · #2 of 12 months
November is one of the best months of the year to visit Pinnacles National Park: crowds run 63% of the April peak (24,668 average visits), days average 70°F with 10.2 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in November
Pinnacles averages 24,668 recreation visits in November — 63% of what April, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly.
Weather & daylight
Days are mild (highs average 70°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 37°F). It is typically dry (1.3″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.2 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station PINNACLES NM, CA US (1 mi from park coordinates, 1,307 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Pinnacles in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 37°F
- Headlamp — only 10.2 hours of daylight in mid-November
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Pinnacles crowded in November?
Moderately: November runs 63% of the April peak, averaging 24,668 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Pinnacles in November?
Average highs of 70°F, lows of 37°F, 1.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, PINNACLES NM, CA US station).
What should I pack for Pinnacles in November?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-12