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dsr27's avatar
dsr27
Explorer
Oct 04, 2022

Route into Pinnacles National Park?

I'm hoping for a trip to Pinnacles in the future, in a 35' MH. We are in the San Francisco Bay Area, so it looks like we'd head down 101 to Gilroy, then out HWY 25 to Hwy 146. Does anyone have any experience with larger MH's on 25 and 146? I don't enjoy driving the MH down 16% grades or narrow roads with tight corners. Can someone tell me about these roads please?

thanks
Gary
  • Been there a few times, don't remember any really steep grades, but it was definitely curvy - but doable, just take it slow. I was in a car both times, but I remember seeing motorhomes along the way.
  • Hwy 25 is pretty easy from Gilroy to about Tres Pinos. After that it gets narrower and windier. There are a couple of hills, but nothing I would consider a long difficult grade.

    We do it every spring in a 30-foot Class C. Sometimes towing, sometimes just the RV.

    It is a road that you will need to just slow down and take your time. Expect to do some pothole dodging and there will be times where you will intentionally cross the double yellow just to make the corners easier.

    Once you get to 146, it's even a little slower (and the speed limit reflects it), and you will dodge a few more potholes.

    But it is well worth the trip! We will be there in May 2023.

    Reach out if you want campsite suggestions.
  • This will be of no help to you, but maybe to others . . . Hit Pinnacles last year from Yanks RV to the west. Road was so narrow, I had to drive on the shoulder in an F350 SRW when larger rigs were coming from the opposite direction.
  • aerbus32 wrote:
    This will be of no help to you, but maybe to others . . . Hit Pinnacles last year from Yanks RV to the west. Road was so narrow, I had to drive on the shoulder in an F350 SRW when larger rigs were coming from the opposite direction.


    I couldn't agree more. The West side entrance road is even more narrow than the East side. I have to assume that there are many situations where people have to back up to a wider spot in the road to get past each other. Glad I never tried to drive an RV up that side.