The Pinnacle - Kempton, PA
The Pinnacle – Dog-Friendly Hiking Near Kempton, Pennsylvania
The Pinnacle, located on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail near Kempton, PA, offers one of the region’s most breathtaking overlooks and is a must-visit for dog owners searching for dog-friendly hiking in Berks County. This popular destination features a network of pet-friendly trails through forests and over rocky terrain, ideal for energetic dogs and their hiking partners. Hikers and their pups can explore scenic vistas, traverse boulder fields, and enjoy the serenity of streams and woodlands along circuits of 5 to 8 miles.
Unique to The Pinnacle are its panoramic views that attract hikers and birdwatchers alike. While the park itself is not a traditional fenced dog park, it offers miles of dog-friendly adventure, including access to a nearby cave and glacial boulder fields. Be prepared for rocky trails with significant elevation gain, and don’t forget sturdy footwear for you and a leash for your dog. Parking can be found at the Blue Rocks Family Campground, and this area is especially busy on weekends, so plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park?
Yes, The Pinnacle is famous for its extensive pet-friendly hiking trails, including loops to Pulpit Rock and scenic overlooks along the Appalachian Trail. - Is there a fee or membership required to enter?
You may need to pay to park at nearby areas like Blue Rocks Family Campground. There is no general admission fee for the trails themselves. - Is the park wheelchair accessible?
No, the trails and parking areas are not wheelchair accessible due to the steep and rocky terrain. - How busy does the park get on weekends?
The Pinnacle is a popular hiking area and can get quite busy, especially on weekends. - Where is the best place to park?
Parking is generally available at Blue Rocks Family Campground. Because space fills quickly, arriving early is recommended. - Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park?
Yes, extensive trail networks connect to the Appalachian Trail and nearby natural attractions.
Reviews
Loved the views but not the amount of people that were there. This is a popular hiking area beware! There is a cave here I didn’t know about underneath the Vista’s, not the easiest to find and steep to climb up and down to. The rock pile you see first isn’t the pinnacle, it’s an AT tradition to toss a rock onto the rest of the pile….definitely worth the hike to see this views!
What a great hike! Around 8 miles round trip. Add some of you go to Pulpit Rock. We didn’t today. The trail up to Pulpit is very steep with a boulder field trail to the Pinnacle. We passed. We took the route past the reservoir. After the reservoir the trail starts up for real. Rocky and a good incline. But walking by the stream is wonderful. At the top it’s about 2 miles to the Pinnacle. Fairly easy, rolling trail. The last 1/4 mile is rocky so be sure to wear good footwear. But the view. Amazing! It is so cool to be above the vultures. Pack a lite lunch and enjoy.
Great hike starting out at Blue Rocks Family Campground (NULL/person to park there) up the blue blaze trail to the white blazes at Pulpit Rock Overlook, then continued onto Pinnacle and back down the yellow blazes back to the campground. If you’re up for it there’s a cave near Pinnacle that’s cool to explore and at the bottom (in the campground) is a mile long glacial deposit of boulders to view or mess around on. Lots to do on this fairly easy 5 mile hike with great views at the overlooks. The smaller rocks on the trails can be ankle breakers, so be sure to wear adequate hiking boots!
What a great hike. The back side up (to the left of the dam) is going to be more distance with less incline, while the trail to the right of the dam is shorter, but very steep. If you don’t like hills, this hike isn’t for you.
The trail that connects pinnacle to the pulpit area is rocky. You have about 2.5 miles of steps on an angle.
The views are great. People on the trail are nice and respectful. Parking can be tough.
Another gorgeous view on the loop, and I am unable to figure out if I liked this or pulpit rock more.
Both were fantastic and I’m glad to have experienced hiking the loop for them and seeing the world from such a breathtaking vantage point.
Id recommend the loop to anybody who thinks they can do it, but it is a decently long hike with a good amount of elevation gain so be prepared.