Located 8.6 miles east of Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road, Garland Ranch Regional Park is 4,462 acres in size with many trails. Some of the trails traverse through private property, for this reason visitors are asked to respect the rule for staying on the trails. This park is one of the few parks in Monterey County that has preserved Rumsien Indian habitation sites and remains of the Rancho Don Juan.
There is a visitor center and rangers available for any questions you may have. A docent program provides outdoor interpretive hikes for all ages. A full range of day use activities includes hiking, limited mountain bike riding, horseback riding, walking, jogging, seasonal fishing and more. There are no overnight camping facilities at this park.
As in all Monterey County parks, dogs are allowed to be off-leash as long as they are under voice control, so they are free to swim in the Carmel River, which runs along the edge of the park. In the summer make sure you watch for signs warning dogs from swimming during a toxic algae bloom. Blue-green algae can cause skin and eye irritation and can be deadly if ingested.
Keeping our trails beautiful and dog-friendly is crucial to ensure everyone enjoys the great outdoors. Some people want to ban dogs from public spaces, but we believe dogs are essential members of our community. They bring joy, companionship, and energy to our hikes. To keep our trails open to our furry friends, we must be responsible. Pick up after your dog, keep them on a leash where required, and respect other trail users. By doing our part, we can ensure that our beloved pups remain welcome on all trails, allowing your pack to continue exploring and enjoying nature together.
