Trails in Montaña de Oro State Park

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.

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.

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.

Trail	Description	Distance	Location
135	Morro 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
145	Hazard 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
145	Hazard 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
148	South 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
150	Hazard 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
155	Hazard 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
160	Islay 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
164	Reservoir 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
167	Oats 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
170	Valencia 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
180	Bluff 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
183	Rattlesnake 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
188	Coon 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
190	Point 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