Most visitors to the Monterey Peninsula head for the coast. Just inland, Fort Ord National Monument offers a very different landscape: rolling hills, oak woodland, and miles of quiet trails.
About the monument
The former Fort Ord Army base was home to soldiers for most of the 20th century. Today, the Bureau of Land Management manages the monument's backcountry, with more than 86 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There is no fee to visit.
Trailheads
- Creekside Terrace Trailhead, just off Highway 68 near Reservation Road and Portola Road.
- Badger Hills Trailhead, off Highway 68 about six miles east of Salinas.
Download the BLM map (https://www.blm.gov/visit/fort-ord-national-monument) before you go.
When to go
- Spring is the best season, with green hills and wildflowers.
- Summer and fall are dry and can be hot at midday. Go early.
- After winter rains, some trails get muddy. Check conditions.
Trail etiquette
- Bikers yield to hikers, and everyone yields to horses.
- Stay on marked trails to protect the habitat.
- Carry plenty of water. There is little shade on most routes.
The Sea Otter Classic connection
Every April, the Sea Otter Classic at nearby Laguna Seca sends mountain bike races onto the Fort Ord trails. In 2027 the festival runs April 15 to 18.
Staying at Sand Castle Inn
Sand Castle Inn is on La Salle Avenue in Seaside, next to the Sand Dollar Shopping Center, so it is easy to pick up trail snacks and water before you head out. Rooms have microwaves and refrigerators. Book direct at sandcastleinnseaside.com.
Goats used for vegetation and fuel management at Fort Ord National Monument. Photo: Fort Ord National Monument (33373462750) by Este Stifel/BLM, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain: U.S. federal government work (Bureau of Land Management) - public domain in the U.S. (17 U.S.C. 105). Resized; website renditions may be cropped and converted in format.
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