Visit Montaña de Oro State Park Hiking Trails San Luis Obispo California

Montaña de Oro State Park has dramatic ocean bluffs and summits with sweeping views. The park covers over 8,000 acres and has 7 miles of undeveloped coastline, making it a rare treasure on the California Coast. One road leads into the park, entering from the town of Los Osos to the north, which is just west of the city of San Luis Obispo. Visitors can stay overnight at a 50-site campground at the center of the park.

Montaña de Oro State Park Hiking Trails
Grotto Rock on the Bluff Trail

First time visitor should be sure to hike the Bluff Trail, which crosses sea cliffs and coves on the impressive oceanfront.

With more energy, you can hike to a mountaintop like Valencia Peak, Oats Peak, or Hazard Peak. Every summit trail offers great ocean views. Each peak also looks inland across the Irish Hills, which spread beyond the eastern boundary of Montaña de Oro State Park. Hazard Peak in particular provides nice views north up the coast toward Morro Bay and beyond.

Valencia Peak Trail
Valencia Peak Trail

Generally speaking, mountain bikers are allowed on trails on the north side of the park, but that seems to be expanding as Oats Peak is now open to bikes as well. Islay Creek Trail and Hazard Peak Trail and also popular mountain bike routes and the Bluff Trail presents an easier ride. Dogs are not allowed on trails in Montaña de Oro State Park.

Hikes in Montaña de Oro State Park

The list below contains 12 hikes in Montaña de Oro State Park as well as two additional hikes on the edge of the park (one hike in Morro Dunes Ecological Reserve rises to a viewpoint within Montaña de Oro State Park and another trail travels down the remote coast to the south toward Point Buchon Trail and relies on a trailhead within Montaña de Oro State Park). These Montaña de Oro State Park hiking trails are listed from north to south.

TrailDescriptionDistanceLocation
Morro Dunes135Morro Dunes Ecological Reserve
This lollipop loop serves up panoramic views over Morro Bay as it climbs from Los Osos to Montaña de Oro State Park.
2.6 miles
800 feet
35.308454,
-120.843157
Hazard Canyon Reef145Hazard Canyon Reef
This short hike in Montaña de Oro State Park descends an oceanfront ravine to a rocky shoreline graced with engaging tide pools.
1 mile
100 feet
35.285512,
-120.881105
Hazard Peak via Bloody Nose Trail, Hiedra Trail, and Hazard Peak Trail145Hazard Peak via Bloody Nose Trail, Hiedra Trail, and Hazard Peak Trail
This hike rises through a eucalyptus grove and views of Morro Bay to a panoramic summit in Montaña de Oro State Park.
5.55 miles
950 feet
35.2854,
-120.8801
South Dune Trail – Bloody Nose Trail – Hiedra Trail – Hazard Peak Trail Loop148South Dune Trail – Bloody Nose Trail – Hiedra Trail – Hazard Peak Trail Loop
This four-trail loop through dunes and eucalyptus trees rises to lovely coastal views.
2.67 miles
310 feet
35.277106,
-120.884546
Hazard Peak150Hazard Peak Trail
This out and back hike in Montaña de Oro State Park ascends coastal ridges to a 1,076-foot summit with panoramic views that include a dynamic perspective of Morro Bay.
6 miles
950 feet
35.277106,
-120.884546
Hazard Peak Loop155Hazard Peak - Islay Creek Loop
This loop in Montaña de Oro State Park continues beyond Hazard Peak deeper into the Irish Hills before circling back to the coast on Islay Creek Trail.
9.2 miles
1,00 feet
35.277106,
-120.884546
Islay Creek160Islay Creek Trail
This easy out and back hike in Montaña de Oro State Park follows a wide trail up a coastal canyon flanked by thousand-foot peaks, passing a small waterfall to reach an abandoned barn.
6 miles
300 feet
35.276412,
-120.885504
Reservoir Flats Trail Montana de Oro164Reservoir Flats Trail
This loop delivers fine ocean and canyon views as it explores the bottom of Islay Creek Canyon in Montaña de Oro State Park.
2 miles
200 feet
35.273872,
-120.88553
Oats Peak Hike167Oats Peak
This out and back hike reaches a panoramic summit that looks down over Montaña de Oro State Park.
10.8 miles
1,325 feet
35.273872,
-120.88553
Valencia Peak170Valencia Peak
This out and back hike summits a 1,347-foot peak with panoramic views over Montaña de Oro State Park.
4.5 miles
1,275 feet
35.272858,
-120.888755
Bluff Trail180Bluff Trail (in Montaña de Oro State Park)
This out and back hike of around three miles tours tide pools, beaches, and impressive cliffs along a picturesque coastline.
1 - 5 miles
90 - 140 feet
35.2728,
-120.8887
Montana de Oro Badger Trail183Rattlesnake Flats Trail – Badger Trail – Bluff Trail Loop
This loop offers a twist on the Bluff Trail, going along and just above the coast of Montaña de Oro State Park.
1.65 miles
150 feet
35.272858,
-120.888755
Coon Creek Trail188Coon Creek Trail
This out and back hike ventures up a coastal canyon at the south end of Montaña de Oro State Park.
5 miles
250 feet
35.257927,
-120.886988
Point Buchon190Point Buchon
This short scenic loop or longer out-and-back hike explores the beautiful coastline south of Montaña de Oro State Park.
1.33 - 6.8 miles
75 feet
35.257964,
-120.887483

 

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7 Comments on Trails in Montaña de Oro State Park

  1. Kat wrote:

    When are the poppies/wild flowers blooming?

    • rick dale wrote:

      Should be many wildflowers now, though poppies may be scarcer this year because they like drier winters, (which this last was NOT.)

  2. Eva-Marie Abelson wrote:

    Are dogs allowed in the park?

  3. Steven wrote:

    DOGS are permitted in campsites and on park roads and must be on a six-foot maximum leash held by an adult. Dogs are NOT ALLOWED on the trails or beach, except for Spooner’s Cove beach. Dogs may not be left alone in the campsite and must be kept in a tent or vehicle at night. Please pick up after your pet. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592

  4. Kyra Madunich wrote:

    Is there backpacking with water available here?