Looking for a scenic, moderately challenging hike in Pinnacles National Park that leads you through caves, along cliffs, and to a reservoir? The Moses Spring to Rim Trail has it all—including chances to spot California condors soaring overhead.
If you’re visiting Pinnacles National Park on the east side and looking for a day trip hike that combines geological wonder, rare wildlife, and rich ecosystems, the Moses Spring to Rim Trail should be at the top of your list. This trail, often done as a loop with portions of the Bear Gulch Cave Trail, gives you access to some of the best hikes in Central California, including hidden talus caves, the peaceful Bear Gulch Reservoir, and the upper cliffs of the Rim Trail Loop. Whether you’re from the San Francisco Bay Area or just passing through, this is a great hike for soaking in the beauty of the United States’ newest and most underrated national parks.
Moses Spring to Rim Trail Basics
1-2 Hours
2.2 Miles Roundtrip
Loop Trail
400 Feet
Duration: 1-2 Hours
Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours hiking the full loop, depending on your pace, cave accessibility, and how long you linger at the reservoir or among the rock formations.
Distance: 2.2 Miles Roundtrip
This is a 1.8- to 2.2-mile hike, depending on which connectors you take between Moses Spring Trailhead, the Bear Gulch Reservoir, and the Rim Trail.
Type: Loop Trail
The trail is a loop if you connect Moses Spring Trail with Rim Trail and return via Bear Gulch Cave Trail, forming one of the best place options for circuit hiking on the east side.
Elevation Change: 400 Feet
Expect about 400 feet of elevation gain, with the steepest sections found between the cave exit and the climb to the higher regions of the park along the Rim Trail.
Season: Spring
Early spring (February–April) is the best time for this hike. The bush poppy, elegant clarkia, mariposa lily, indian warrior, and other wildflowers burst into bloom, and the weather forecast is generally mild. You also avoid the summer heat that makes those narrow passages and uneven terrain much more intense.
Time of Day: Morning
Be the early bird. Arrive by 8–9 a.m. to snag a parking space, avoid crowds, and catch cooler temps for navigating the dark cave and steep grades. Morning also offers better chances of spotting California condors or a golden eagle overhead.
Amount of Shade: Partially Shaded
There’s a fair amount of shade in the lower Bear Gulch Cave, near massive boulders, and along the reservoir. But Rim Trail is exposed, especially during midday—pack plenty of water, sun protection, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a moderate hike with some strenuous trail features—rock stairs, narrow canyons, low ceilings, and tight squeezes inside the lower caves. You’ll need to be comfortable with uneven terrain and a bit of scrambling.
What Makes Moses Spring to Rim Trail a Great Hike?
This trail is a true greatest-hits sampler of what makes Pinnacles National Park so unforgettable. You’ll wind through narrow talus caves, scramble past massive boulders, and emerge at the serene Bear Gulch Reservoir, a still and reflective pool nestled beneath towering cliffs. Along the way, you’ll pass some of the park’s most iconic rock climbing walls, including Discovery Wall, a vertical playground for climbers and a striking natural feature in its own right. As you gain elevation, the trail opens up to views of condor release sites—key areas in the park’s ongoing conservation efforts to reintroduce the endangered California condor to its native range.
One particularly surreal highlight is the huge cuboid formation balanced dramatically above the trail, like something out of a fantasy novel. These unusual volcanic rock shapes are remnants of Pinnacles’ explosive geological past, and many are covered in patches of vibrant lichens, in shades of neon green, orange, and rust red, adding bursts of color to the rugged stone.
This trail is also a great place for wildlife spotting. If you’re lucky—and quiet—you might catch a glimpse of different species of raptors, including red-tailed hawks, prairie falcons, or even the iconic golden eagle. Inside the caves, depending on the season, you may be walking beneath colonies of endangered bats, which use the lower and upper Bear Gulch caves as critical roosting and hibernation zones. The combination of geological, ecological, and scenic features makes this loop feel like a curated journey through the heart of the park’s natural wonders.
Scenery on the Moses Spring to Rim Trail
Start of the Trail
The hike begins among blue oak, California buckeye, and gray mule-ears, winding along a bubbling creek flanked by massive boulders and shaded canyon walls.
A small slot cave along the trail
One of the many markers along the trail
On the Trail
Inside the talus caves, expect dark cave passages under stacked rocks, sometimes requiring a flashlight or headlamp. As you climb out toward Rim Trail, the canyon opens up to showcase narrow passages, volcanic spires, and jaw-dropping views.
End of the Trail
The Bear Gulch Reservoir is the highlight: a tranquil pool surrounded by rock formations, a beautiful pass, and ledges perfect for quiet rest stops. No swimming allowed—ask a park ranger and they’ll confirm—but you can enjoy the view from shaded benches.
Notable Places on the Hike
- Lower Bear Gulch Cave: Home to endangered bats (seasonally closed during hibernation).
- Teaching Rock: An interpretive spot that explains geological layers and erosion.
- Discovery Wall: A hotspot for rock climbing.
- Bear Gulch Reservoir: The crown jewel of this trail.
- Condor viewing points: Best along the Rim Trail and High Peaks connector.
A shaded section of the trail
Looking up at the cliff side and rocks at the park
Moses Spring to Rim Trail Trailhead Information
Park Name: Pinnacles National Park
You’ll find this loop inside Pinnacles National Park, a unique volcanic wonderland in Central California.
Finding the Trailhead
Look for the clearly marked Moses Spring Trailhead at the end of the Bear Gulch parking lot. A large trail sign gives a map of all the trail connections.
Markers Along the Trail
You’ll hit your first trail junction within 0.2 miles. Signs for Bear Gulch Cave Trail, Moses Spring, and Rim Trail are frequent and well-placed. Follow signs to Upper Bear Gulch Cave or Rim Trail, depending on cave conditions.
Nearest Restrooms
Flush toilets are available at the Bear Gulch parking lot, right near the picnic area and Bear Gulch Nature Center.
Parking Area
Park at the Moses Spring parking area, located in the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. There's also access from the visitor center, via the Bench Trail or Sycamore Trail.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
This trailhead connects easily with longer hikes like the High Peaks Trail Loop, Condor Gulch Trail, South Wilderness Trail, and Old Pinnacles Trail, so it’s a great launching point if you want to extend your day.
Tips for Moses Spring to Rim Trail
- Check the cave status before you go—upper or lower caves may be closed for bat protection.
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp if the caves are open.
- Wear sturdy shoes with grip—some rocks can be slick.
- Bring plenty of water, even in cooler months.
- Use the park shuttle if the parking lot is full (especially during weekends or holidays).
- Pay the entrance fee ($15 per vehicle as of now).
- Keep your eyes up—the higher regions of the park are where California condors nest and soar.
- No dogs allowed on trails.
Accessibility Information for Moses Spring to Rim Trail
Dirt, Rocks, Steps
Paved
Trail Type: Dirt, Rocks, Steps
This is not an accessible trail. The route includes stairs, low ceilings, tight spaces, and uneven rock surfaces.
Parking: Paved
The Bear Gulch parking lot, however, has designated accessible parking spaces, paved areas, and restrooms.