Pinnacles Park | BC Parks

Welcome to the new BC Parks website

Park overview

Pinnacles Provincial Park comprises approximately 124 hectares of pine forest overlooking Baker Creek. The park is a popular day-use area and is easily accessible from Quesnel. From the Pinnacles viewpoint, visitors enjoy the unique formation of “Hoodoos,” and a picturesque view of the city of Quesnel and Baker Creek.

The park is open year-round for day-use and sightseeing despite the locked gate at the entrance; camping is not permitted. The park provides an opportunity for a pleasant 1 km hike along a well maintained trail to the viewpoint; allow 15 minutes for access. Horseback riding in the park is not permitted. The hoodoos are fragile, please do not climb on or near them.

Established Date: September 18, 1969
Park Size: 124.39 hectares

Advisories

Safety info

Stay Safe

The viewpoint is an area with steep cliffs. Please exercise extreme caution and stay in designated viewing areas.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Special Notes

Climbing on rock formations accelerates erosion and destroys the scenic value of the area. Please view the hoodoos from the established viewpoint only; remain behind the fence.

Facilities

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has one pit toilet located near the viewpoint – no flush toilets.

Activities

Hiking

The park provides an opportunity for a pleasant 1 km hike along a well-maintained trail to the viewpoint; allow 15 minutes for access. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Wildlife viewing

The park provides an opportunity for a pleasant 1 km hike along a well-maintained trail to the viewpoint of the hoodoos.

Pets on leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

e-Biking

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Pinnacles Provincial Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

The park is located 8 km from downtown Quesnel. It can be accessed via Pinnacles Road (paved) in west Quesnel off of Highway 97. For additional map information, please refer to topographical map number: 1:50,000 93B/15.

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: September 18, 1969
Size: 124.39 hectares

Park contact

This park proudly operated by:
Silvertip Park Services Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305

Nature and culture

Conservation: Pinnacles Provincial Park protects a very unique formation of hoodoos. These hoodoos began their formation 12 million years ago, when molten lava flowing over the earth’s surface cooled in flat basalt layers over older layers of ash and rock. The Ice Age followed, and when the ice mass receded, melt-water streams eroded the valley below Pinnacles Park. The hoodoos are formed from the effects of this natural erosion and weathering. The basalt is eroded away, revealing the more resistant ash layer, and often producing vivid bands of color as individual basalt layers are removed. The hoodoos at Pinnacles Provincial Park are fragile, since they are still undergoing these forces of erosion and weathering. The Pinnacles viewpoint provides an unobstructed view of these impressive geological formations.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.