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Fort Ord Public Lands

4.5 (24 reviews)

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I just visited Ford Ord for the first time with my faithful dog, and I really look forward to coming back, and really exploring this terrific park. It's got miles and miles of trails, beautiful scenery, It welcomes all kinds of people, from dog-walkers like me to joggers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. It's great.

Cindy G.

Another great family hike for the books. I absolutely love coming here with the kiddos... all 5 of them. I love that my 3 yr old says, "Mommy, I want to go hiking and see the bunnies" :) Mommy loves that he gets to burn some energy ;) Definitely a wonderful place to go to enjoy nature and all the beauty it brings.

Ft.ord Public Lands trail  from the Hwy 68 way...Good walk..up hill...
William P.

Nice place to walk beautiful views...good ole Ft.Ord...could use some restrooms along the way...nice trails for walking or riding bikes...

My Backyard - Running Playground
Jeremy H.

BOMB DIGGETY OPEN SPACE! This 50+ square miles of rolling hills & open space northwest of Toro Park (between Salinas & Monterey off of Hiway 68) that I like to call "my backyard" is a runner's paradise! The weather is almost always perfect for running here! If you have ever been to the Leguna Seca race track, than that is the general area that this review is about! The only thing that would be better is if there was an ocean view, but you can drive a short distance west if you want that. Although I haven't been motivated to mountain bike much lately, this land is also great for mountain biking as I see many bikers here. Maybe its time to air up my tires....hmm. I really enjoy open spaces, and this is why I enjoy living backed up against my own little 50 square mile playground for a change... a nice break from the congestion in much of the bay area! All I do is open the gate in my backyard fence, and there is the trail right there...decision, go left or right... it doesn't matter which path you take because they all lead to a place where you become stronger! Here are some words to take up some space regarding running/exercise... Don't "Just Do It", do it again & again & again & again...! and know it doesn't get easier, its that you are getting stronger, so keep pushing yourself! Your body & mind will thank you!

Melissa C.

I've been coming to this place for years. It's alot less crowded than the popular toro park area, which I like. The trails are easily accessible, accompany with beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. A nice place to hike, and get away every once in a while.

I love these hills! On an nice day, skip the gym and hit the trails instead! Trails are open for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and horse back riding . . . with over 83 miles available, you will never get bored!

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Review Highlights - Fort Ord Public Lands

Walking,hiking,trail running,mountain biking and horseback riding it can all be done here.

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Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park

4.8(116 reviews)
9.0 mi

Wonderful park to explore and hike if you are ever in the Carmel Valley area. Plenty of parking…read moreboth on the street as well as in a designated parking lot. Much of the area in the lower section is flat and easy to walk around, however, there are also some trails with steeper elevation climbs for those who want to get more of a scenic view of the area. Cool historic barn is easy to get to and on hotter days you will definitely want to take some water as some of the trails are exposed to the sun. There is a public bathroom area by the visitor center.

Garland Ranch Regional Park -- Where Nature Went to College and Got a Degree in Enchantment"…read moreOh, you think you've been on a hike before? No. You've merely walked on ground. Garland Ranch Regional Park is where the Earth decided to get fancy -- rolling hills, whispering trees, and trails that seem designed by a benevolent chaos god who wanted you to get lost just enough to find yourself. The Vibe: This place doesn't just have nature -- it radiates personality. The air smells like enlightenment and expensive essential oils. Every oak tree looks like it has witnessed ancient wisdom and is judging you for not bringing reusable water bottles. The wind flirts. The grass gossips. The clouds... perform interpretive dance. The Trails: Sky Trail: Don't let the name fool you -- it's 80% up, 20% existential crisis. But at the top? A view so stunning, I briefly ascended into my third chakra and forgot my email password. Waterfall Trail: There's water. There's falling. There's also a high chance of spotting a woodland creature that may or may not be a druid in disguise. Saddle Trail: Not for the faint of calf. You'll meet at least one hiker who swears they saw Bigfoot running a mindfulness retreat. Wildlife Report: The deer here are too confident. They'll make eye contact like they know you left your stove on. Lizards do push-ups just to assert dominance. A hawk once circled above me for 20 minutes; I think I passed its vibe check. Local myth says the coyotes form an a cappella group at dusk. Their debut album, Howl to the Moonlight, drops every full moon. Random Fun Facts (Questionable Accuracy Edition): The park's elevation shifts based on how hydrated you are. 47% of the trees are rumored to be undercover dryads doing field research. If you say "Garland Ranch" three times at the visitor center, a ranger appears and hands you a perfectly ripe trail mix. Final Thoughts: Garland Ranch isn't just a park. It's an experience. It's Narnia with better signage. It's where fitness apps go to prove themselves. I came here seeking a light jog; I left spiritually rearranged, emotionally hydrated, and slightly sunburned.

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Garland Ranch Regional Park
Garland Ranch Regional Park
Garland Ranch Regional Park

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Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

4.5(50 reviews)
8.0 mi

I visited the Fort Ord Dunes State Park in Marina, CA [Beach Range Road] on Tuesday, 9/30/25,…read morearound 2 PM. I decided to come here for a nice, chill beach day. What I enjoyed most about the beach was the tranquility, peacefulness, and calmness. The entire view of the area was gorgeous. I was able to soak up the ocean air and breeze. To top it off, the beach was not crowded at all. Overall, I spent about four hours there. On-site, parking was complimentary. There were portable restrooms available at everyone's convenience. There were signs to help navigate the walking trail or even heading towards the beach. I highly recommend visiting this place. I'd return in the future.

Name That Dune…read more Formerly part of the Fort Ord Army post, this 1k-acre oceanfront state park consists of four miles of beach lined with the eponymous sand dunes. It is also one of California's newest state parks, as it has only been officially open since 2009. The Good: * Private parking lot * Free to visit! * Dogs allowed on recreation trail but not the beach or spur trails that lead to the beach. * Great beaches with amazing views * Great place to ride your bike as there's a little over 4 miles of paved trails The Meh: * Port-o-potties in the parking lot * Local Outdoor Enthusiasts™ hanging out in the parking lot. The Ugly: * Part of the paved trail was closed during our visit (April 11th, '26) Conclusion: Great state beach with not many amenities.

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Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Fort Ord Dunes State Park

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Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent 47Q interior view

Saddle Mountain

3.5(192 reviews)
11.4 mi

Stayed here with my fiancé for a night. It was pouring rain so that kept us up, but the electric…read moreblankets were amazing!!! The ambiance was also very cute! Was about $120/night for our stay in February. There are showers and restrooms on property. Would definitely consider coming back!

This was a pretty nice glamp site! We stayed 1 night during our road trip to Big Sur, which is…read moreabout an hour away from Carmel. We booked a Luxury Tent - Lower Grove through Airbnb for about $200 for 1 night (we did book pretty late - about 1 week in advance - so the price might be cheaper if booked earlier). Instructions on getting there were pretty easy, and check in is in their central office building 3-8pm. Staff were super friendly! The office closes at 9pm, and then security comes onto the site, so I felt very safe. The whole campsite is small so a lot of the sites are pretty close to each other. They have cabins, RV spots, drive-in sites, walk-in sites, and some really nice luxury tents. Some spots have a nicer view up the hill, but the Luxury Tents in the Lower Grove were on the steep downhill road near the exit, more tucked in under some trees. I did like that the Lower Grove felt a little more private than the Upper Grove. But we did have to walk up the steep hill to get to the nearest bathroom. Our Luxury Tent (50Q) was pre-built and sturdy, and had space for our car right on the site. Our tent came with a queen sized bed, heated blanket, 2 side tables with reading lights, USB plug, a small shelf at the foot of the bed with some towels, and a small side table with a electric kettle and coffee packets. Outside on the small patio was also 2 adirondack chairs for lounging, and a propane grill with grilling utensils. I do wish we got a small table outside for our food, and a fire pit at the site would have been nice. We also ran out of propane in the morning but I'm sure they would refill it if we were staying longer. Our tent was perfect for 2 people. Some other Luxury Tents are much larger and can fit many people, and had large patios, tables, and firepits. Since our site was under some trees, it was quite shaded, which I'm sure would be awesome in the summer! We stayed during early November, so the evening was cool and morning was brisk, but it wasn't freezing. The campsite amenities were very cool: a heated pool, sauna (can fit 6-8 people), multiple fire pits and lounging areas, ping pong table, cornhole, horse shoes, basketball hoop, playground, and hiking trail. There were some sports equipment and games at the front that were available to use as we please. I super enjoyed the clean bathrooms, showers, and dishwash area - with provided hand soap, paper towels, dish soap, and body soap in the showers! It was always clean and never crowded. I thought this was worth it for our site and luxury tent - super duper convenient to not have to bring & set up a tent/sleeping bag. We basically arrived and were able to get comfortable right away. Saddle Mountain is a good choice if visiting the Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, or Big Sur areas.

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Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent 44D interior

Luxury Tent 44D interior

Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent 49A

Luxury Tent 49A

Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent - Lower Grove (50Q)

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Luxury Tent - Lower Grove (50Q)

Fort Ord Public Lands - hiking - Updated May 2026

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