Fort Ord Dunes State Park

How to Get There

From Monterey, CA (9 mi): Take CA-1 N and exit at Lightfighter Drive, turn left onto 2nd Avenue, then left on Divarty Street and right onto 1st Avenue; follow signs to the park entrance at the 8th Street overcrossing.

Overview

Fort Ord Dunes State Park protects nearly 1,000 acres of restored dunes and four miles of beach on the shore of Monterey Bay. The land was once part of Fort Ord, a U.S. Army base, and California State Parks opened it to the public in 2009 as the newest state park in the Monterey District. Concrete remnants of the military past, including ammunition bunkers, still stand among the dunes, and interpretive panels and a free mobile audio tour explain both the military history and the dune restoration. People come to walk or bike the paved bluff-top trail, look for wildlife such as the threatened western snowy plover, and enjoy wide ocean views without the crowds of the nearby Monterey Peninsula.

Access

The park is on the edge of Marina, about 9 miles north of Monterey, and is reached from Highway 1 by exiting at Lightfighter Drive and following signs to the park entrance and main parking area. Parking is free, and there is no entrance fee. The park opens daily at 8am and closes at sunset. It connects directly to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, so many visitors arrive by bicycle. The park does not have a visitor center or a campground at this time.

Seasons

The park is open year-round, and Monterey Bay weather can change quickly, with fog, wind and cool temperatures common even in summer, so bring layers. Spring and fall tend to offer the clearest days and the mildest conditions, along with wildflowers on the dunes. Western snowy plovers nest on the beach, and areas may be restricted to protect them. Some trails, including part of Beach Range Road, have been closed at times, so check the park’s closure map before you go.

Things to Do

Explore a Unique Coastal Park Built on Historic Military Lands

Fort Ord Dunes State Park protects approximately four miles of scenic Monterey Bay coastline on former Fort Ord military property. The park features expansive sand dunes, coastal bluffs, beaches, and panoramic ocean views, providing visitors with opportunities to experience one of the largest coastal dune ecosystems remaining on California's central coast.

Walk Along Scenic Coastal Bluffs

The park's bluff-top trails offer spectacular views of Monterey Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding coastline. Visitors can enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, photography, and sightseeing while taking in the area's natural beauty and coastal landscapes.

Enjoy Beach Access and Ocean Views

Several access points lead visitors from the bluff tops to the sandy shoreline below. The beach is ideal for beachcombing, wildlife observation, photography, and enjoying the peaceful coastal environment. Strong currents often make the area more suitable for sightseeing than swimming.

Observe Wildlife and Birdlife

Fort Ord Dunes State Park provides habitat for numerous coastal species, including shorebirds, seabirds, raptors, and marine wildlife. Visitors may occasionally spot dolphins, sea otters, harbor seals, and migrating whales offshore during certain times of the year.

Explore the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

The park connects directly to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, one of California's premier multi-use pathways. Visitors can walk or bike along the coast while enjoying access to nearby communities such as Marina, Seaside, Monterey, and Pacific Grove.

Enjoy Photography and Sunset Viewing

The combination of rolling sand dunes, dramatic coastal bluffs, ocean vistas, and colorful sunsets makes Fort Ord Dunes State Park a favorite destination for landscape photography and scenic viewing throughout the year.

Top Trails

Fort Ord Dunes Bluff Trail

Length: Approximately 4 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This scenic coastal trail follows the bluff tops overlooking Monterey Bay and provides continuous ocean views, beach access points, and opportunities for wildlife observation. It is the park's primary recreational route and is suitable for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Length: Varies; more than 18 miles regionally
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

Accessible from the park, this paved multi-use trail extends along Monterey Bay and connects visitors to beaches, parks, wildlife viewing areas, and coastal communities throughout the region.

Dune Nature Walk

Length: Approximately 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This short walk introduces visitors to the park's dune ecosystem, native vegetation, and coastal habitats while providing scenic views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.

Beach Access Trail

Length: Approximately 0.5 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate descent and ascent
Difficulty: Easy

This trail provides access from the bluff tops to the beach below, allowing visitors to explore the shoreline, observe coastal wildlife, and enjoy views of Monterey Bay from a different perspective.

Visitor Centers

Fort Ord Dunes State Park has no visitor center. Eight educational panels at the main parking area introduce the park’s history and ecology, and a free mobile phone audio tour (normal cellular charges apply) adds detail along the trail. For maps, closures and current conditions, check the California State Parks website for the Monterey District. More visitor information is available in nearby Monterey.

Camping and Lodging

There is no campground open in the park right now, although California State Parks has scheduled a new campground project for the park. Hotels and restaurants are close by in Marina (about 2 miles) and in Seaside and Monterey (about 9 miles), with additional options in Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea within about 30 minutes. Campgrounds and RV parks can be found around the Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas Valley, so check availability early for summer weekends.

Sources: California State Parks official Fort Ord Dunes State Park information, including details on coastal dunes, bluff-top trails, beach access, wildlife habitats, recreational opportunities, and visitor amenities. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=580https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=580
Additional information verified through Monterey County tourism and Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail resources covering coastal recreation, dune ecosystems, cycling opportunities, wildlife viewing, and scenic attractions near Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Monterey County Tourism

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for Fort Ord Dunes State Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from California State Parks.