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Fort Ord National Monument
4.7 ★★★★★ 786 Google reviews · Running trail in Marina, California · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 86 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Fort Ord National Monument's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Home to 35 species of rare flora & fauna, this undeveloped wildland offers over 80 miles of trails.
What runners say about Fort Ord National Monument
“It is beautiful and majestic, with pine and oak trees lining you way.”
“Saw a few bikes, dog 🐶 walking (on and off leash), joggers, patches of wildflowers, and some horse riding (see videos).”
This trail is a personal favorite—it’s challenging without being overly difficult. There are four uphills, with the first one being the toughest. Once you conquer that, the rest are a piece of cake. The entire trail is exposed, so be sure to use sunscreen and wear a hat for protection.
There are distracted, aggressive drivers & inconsiderate bicyclists amongst us. At Fort Ord, one can pretty much avoid the dregs of Humanity, get some big doses of Nature, and get in a family bike ride/hike up to technical trail riding. Keep it to yourself, please.
My friends and I did the hike to the top of the Badger hiking trail within Fort Ord National Monument, it offered beautiful views of the Salinas Valley, the trail is steep in areas, make sure to wear proper shoes and stay hydrated. There is a free parking lot at the base of the trail and a restroom.
Went for a 6-mile loop taking Guidotti to Skyline to Oil Well to Toro Creek back to the parking lot. Started around noon the Tuesday before Christmas. It was drizzling at the start with not much visibility then the sun came out, and the lush green meadows looked really pretty.
Trail conditions & character
“Saw a few bikes, dog 🐶 walking (on and off leash), joggers, patches of wildflowers, and some horse riding (see videos).”
“It is beautiful and majestic, with pine and oak trees lining you way.”
“Been coming here since I was very young and have always loved these hills, no matter if they’re green or golden.”
“Went for a 6-mile loop taking Guidotti to Skyline to Oil Well to Toro Creek back to the parking lot.”
“Expansive open space, with various terrain and multiple trails such as singletrack, gravel, or paved roads away from cars and traffic.”
“Went for a 6-mile loop taking Guidotti to Skyline to Oil Well to Toro Creek back to the parking lot.”
“At Fort Ord, one can pretty much avoid the dregs of Humanity, get some big doses of Nature, and get in a family bike ride/hike up to technical trail riding.”
“There is a free parking lot at the base of the trail and a restroom.”
Plan your run at Fort Ord National Monument
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance86 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteblm.gov
- Phone(831) 582-2200
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Marina
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Quail Meadows Day Use Area, Toro County Park
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Toro Park
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Harper Canyon Trail
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Creekside Terrace Trailhead, Fort Ord National Monument, California
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Trail 67/68 Scenic View
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