Fort Ord National Monument

A rich history, diverse habitat and bountiful recreation opportunities await you at the Fort Ord National Monument. Another coastal gem with more than 86 miles of trails provides opportunities to hike, bike or ride your horse through rolling hills, pockets of chaparral, and oak woodlands. You will see a huge diversity of plant life and animals in habitats that include stream side corridors, grasslands, maritime chaparral, oak woodlands and seasonal pools.

Fort Ord is cherished for its link to the heroism and dedication of men and women who served our nation and fought in the major conflicts of the 20th century. This area remained undeveloped thanks to its role as a U.S. Army facility from 1917-1994. During the Vietnam War, it served as a leading training center and deployment staging ground. As many as 1.5 million American troops trained at Fort Ord.

Fort Ord is an official "Hands On the Land" outdoor classroom that brings young students outdoors for learning experiences. Approximately 2,000 kids participate each year.

It's all in the heart of the Monterey area, with abundant natural resources and beautiful access to the California Coast and Salinas Valley.

 

 

Photos

 Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Photo by Este Stifel, BLM.
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Outdoor Classroom
Outdoor Classroom
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Fort Ord Trees
Fort Ord Trees
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
 Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Photo by Este Stifel, BLM.
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Outdoor Classroom
Outdoor Classroom
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Fort Ord Trees
Fort Ord Trees
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
 Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Photo by Este Stifel, BLM.
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Outdoor Classroom
Outdoor Classroom
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Fort Ord Trees
Fort Ord Trees
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
 Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads
Photo by Este Stifel, BLM.
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Horseback Riding at Fort Ord
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Outdoor Classroom
Outdoor Classroom
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Fort Ord Trees
Fort Ord Trees
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

JUAN BAUTISTA DE ANZA NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

Access to this trail for BLM starts at the Creekside Access point on the Fort Ord National Monument, located on the north side of State Highway 68.  Across from the access point and south of the highway is Toro Creek County Park, a tie-in point to the rest of the Anza Trail that stretches from Sonora, Mexico, to San Francisco, California.  The Anza NHT commemorates the route used for an expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza in 1775-1776 AD.  The route was established as an overland trade and colonization entrada into Spain's newly acquired Alta California.  Most of the historic trail follows the explorers' pathway as translated from the journal entries recorded by various members of the expedition.  Eleven miles of the Trail can be enjoyed on Fort Ord National Monument, winding through maritime chaparral, oak woodland, and open grasslands.

Make sure to stop in the Central Coast Field Office during regular office hours to get your Passport To Your National Parks stamped with the Juan Bautisa de Anza NHT/Fort Ord National Monument stamp.

PUBLIC SAFETY PHONE NUMBERS: 

Emergencies:  911

Non-Emergency Law Enforcement issues or assistance:  831-242-7851

PLEASE OBEY ALL POSTED RESTRICTIONS. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE RULES FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND FOR HEALTH OF SPECIAL HABITATS, PLANTS, AND ANIMALS.

All animals must be on a leash and under the owner/handler's physical control within developed recreation sites at all times:  Dogs and stock must be on a leash/lead rope that is no more than six feet long and is held or otherwise attached to the owner/handler while in parking lots, at trailheads, along driveways, or anywhere else that signing indicates that pets must be leashed.

Observe barricades and signs marking unsafe, sensitive, or restricted areas:  Motor vehicles found in closed areas may be towed or impounded at owner's expense.

Non-street legal motor vehicles including motorcycles are never allowed on Fort Ord National Monument:  This restriction is required to reduce erosion and protect sensitive habitats and species. 

E-Bike Rules (e-bikes are still considered a class of off-road motorized vehicle): At Fort Ord National Monument, motorized vehicles and off-road vehicles are prohibited from the 86 miles of the Monument's non-motorized roads and trails without a special permit. In November of 2020, the BLM issued an e-bike rule, which 1) amended the BLM’s off-road vehicle regulations to include a special class for e-bikes at 43 CFR 8340.0-5(j) and 2) created an authority by which authorized officers may allow e-bike use on trails where motorized vehicles are otherwise prohibited.  The BLM is evaluating e-bike impacts on the Monument roads and trails, and anticipates revising the road/trail use designations under CFR 8340 to better align with the differences of e-bike impacts with those of motorcycles, ATV's and UTV's. Once completed, the BLM will sign the roads and trails where certain classes of e-bikes would be allowed and prohibited, and those restrictions will be enforced.

Travel at Safe Speeds When Passing:  Most trails on the National Monument are open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. When approaching other visitors on the trails, cyclists must yield the path to pedestrians and equestrians.  Cyclists should never pass other oncoming visitors faster than 5 mph on single-track trails. 

Use is non-motorized on authorized trails only:  Authorized trails are marked with brown or green fiberglass trail markers. Staying on these trails will keep you off fragile plant and animal habitats, out of poison oak, and out of dangerous unexploded ordnance areas.

Use of a closed trail is never allowed:  Red trail markers indicate a closed trail. Exception are granted with written permission by an authorized BLM officer. Trails that have no signs or are not shown on BLM's recreation trail map are also closed.

Use of Metal Detectors and/or removal of military artifacts is not allowed on the National Monument:  Hazardous military munitions still may be present near some of the public use areas.  Non-hazardous military relics are objects and values of the National Monument and may not be removed as required under the Monument Proclamation.

Do not bring weapons:  Possession, use and/or discharge of any kind of weapon is never allowed; this includes paintball guns.

Fireworks are never allowed:  Even small open flames or fires have the possibility of escaping and becoming large.

Littering and dumping is illegal.

Wood cutting or collection is prohibited: Many animals use downed wood for nesting, sleeping or feeding.

Public use is allowed from dawn to dusk.

These closures and restrictions are under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1. Persons violating these closures and restrictions shall be subject to the penalties provided in 43 DFR 8360.0-7 and 8340.0-7, including a fine not to exceed $100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

Phone

Geographic Coordinates

36.626061, -121.691375

Directions

Creekside Terrace Trailhead is just off Highway 68 near the intersection of Reservation Road and Portola Road. Badger Hills Trailhead is just off Highway 68 six miles east of Salinas, CA.