Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
California
70

California State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
California
Region
Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Valley Quail © stateparks.com
Valley Quail
Campfire and Hotdogs © stateparks.com
Roasting hot dogs over an open fire.
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
FORT ORD DUNES STATE PARK
FORT ORD DUNES STATE PARK
Marina, California   93933

Phone: 831-649-2836
This recently opened State Park has a 1,500 foot trail to 4 miles of ocean beach with beautiful views of Monterey Bay. From the parking area visitors may also take a stroll on the new boardwalk to a bluff top viewing platform. Eight educational panels have been installed that will inform the public about the natural and cultural history of the park. Existing park roads are open to bicyclists, hikers and dogs on leash.

To protect park resources public access is limited to designated roads and trails. Dogs must be on leash and remain on paved roads. Horses and campfires are not allowed on the beach.

History of the Area
Located in Monterey Bay, California, the area was originally a military training facility known as Fort Ord. Established in 1917 for World War I preparations, it served until its closure in 1994.

In 2009, after years of cleanup and restoration efforts by local communities and environmental groups to remove unexploded ordnance and other debris from decades of military use; this land became an official state park.

The site now offers four miles of beachfront with beautiful views over Monterey Bay. It is home to various wildlife species including birds like snowy plovers which are protected under federal law.


Location
Fort Ord Dunes State Park is located near Carmel, Castroville and Marina

Trails
- Beach Range Road Trail: A 4-mile trail that runs parallel to the beach, offering panoramic views of Monterey Bay.

- Stilwell Hall Nature Walk: This short half-a-mile walk takes you through remnants of old military buildings and offers interpretive signs about local wildlife.

- Sand Dunes Boardwalk Loop: An easy quarter mile loop with a boardwalk over sand dunes. It provides stunning ocean vistas and is wheelchair accessible.

- Marina Coastal Bike Path (Fort Ord Dune State Park Section): Part of a larger regional bike path system, this paved 1.5 miles stretch within park boundaries features scenic coastal landscapes.

- Divarty Street Seaside Access Point Hike: Approximately one mile long hike from parking lot towards the coastline featuring diverse flora along sandy trails leading up to beautiful shoreline view points

-Panorama Flats Multi-use Area Trails : Networked multi-purpose paths for hiking or biking across flat terrains; length varies depending on chosen route but can extend upto several miles

-Fort Ord Habitat Conservation Plan Preserve Walking Paths : These are unmarked walking routes spread throughout protected habitats in Fort ord area ; lengths vary widely based on individual exploration choices

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
write a review
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Marina Dunes RV Park
3330 Dunes Drive
Marina, CA
831-384-6914
Marina Dunes RV Park
3330 Dunes Drive
Marina, CA
831-384-6914
Moss Landing KOA Express
7905 Sandoldt Road
Moss Landing, CA
Carmel By The River RV Park
27680 Schulte Road
Carmel, CA
831-624-9329
Saddle Mountain Rec Area
27625 Schulte Road
Carmel, CA
831-624-1617
Cabana Holiday Resort
8710 Prunedale North Road
Salinas, CA
831-663-2886
Laguna Seca Park-Monterey
1025 Monterey-Salinas Highway
Salinas, CA
831-758-3604
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
From Highway 1, exit Light Fighter Drive (bear right).

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue.

Turn left onto Divarty Street.

Turn right onto 1st Avenue.

Signs posted will direct you to the park entrance at the 8th Street overcrossing of Hwy 1.
Area Shopping
businesss listing main photo
Monterey Bay Pictures - Monterey Bay, CA
Photography
Specializing in high-quality, hard-to-find California scenic and travel location stock photos and fine art prints.
5.4 miles from park*

state route ranger badge
California
70

California State Parks

X