Pinnacles National Park is a protected area in west-central California . The Pinnacles are spirelike rock formations that were created by the erosion of an ancient volcano . The park is also known for its talus caves . The caves formed when falling boulders and rock fragments became wedged near the bottoms of narrow canyons, creating enclosures and tunnellike passages.
Scientists believe that the Pinnacles are the remnants of a volcano that formed millions of years ago, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southeast of the park. The San Andreas Fault split the volcano formation in two and gradually shifted the Pinnacles north to their current location. The park is home to many kinds of birds, bats, butterflies, and bees.
The Pinnacles were named a national monument in 1908. The area became a national park in 2013. For the park’s area, see National Park System (table: National parks) .
