Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
10 mi northwest · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands remaining in California.
Outdoors
Hiking near Salinas
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Salinas, closest first.
32places to hike
10 mito the closest
6within 30 miles
Year-roundbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
14 mi west · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
White Oaks Campground
25 mi south · USDA Forest Service
Amid a grove of towering trees, eight campsites create a loop within White Oaks Campground, just off Tassajara Road.
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Within 30 miles (6)
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands remaining in California.
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
White Oaks Campground
Amid a grove of towering trees, eight campsites create a loop within White Oaks Campground, just off Tassajara Road.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
China Camp Campground
Pleasantly nestled under a large canopy of pine trees, China Camp is a campground where peace and quiet is commonplace. The spacious campsites allow you to set up camp with more than enough space between you and your neighbors.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Pinnacles National Park
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky spires and deep canyons.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Pinnacles Campground
Pinnacles Campground is located in the unique Pinnacles National Park, 32 miles south of Hollister, California. The park encompasses 26,000 acres of spectacular rock formations and remnants of an extinct 23 million-year old volcano.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (19)
Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco Campground is a semi-rustic, but developed facility in California's westernmost national forest.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
San Luis Lake and State Wildlife Area
Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Escondido Campground
Escondido Campground is one of the best kept secrets in the Santa Lucia Mountains. This family-friendly campground boasts scenic vistas that will take your breath away.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Memorial Campground
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at Memorial Park -- a scenic and remote campground tucked away in the Santa Lucia Mountains.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
O'Neill Forebay
O'Neill Dam and Forebay are joint Federal-State facilities located on San Luis Creek 2.5 miles downstream from San Luis Dam. O'Neill Forebay Dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - San Joaquin Division - San Luis Unit .
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
Los Banos Reservoir
The Los Banos Dam and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit .
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Griswold Hills
Within the steep and rugged Griswold Canyon, BLM land straddles both sides of the road.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Kirk Creek Campground
Kirk Creek Campground is an oceanside paradise, with each site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It offers a variety of opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Ponderosa Campground
Ponderosa Campground offers visitors a beautiful location to relax and enjoy nature. It runs along the Nacimiento River, which provides a variety of recreational opportunities.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Laguna Mountain
The Laguna Mountain Area consists of somewhat rugged terrain with rolling hills covered in dense brush. The area's vegetation is characterized by classic chapparal habitat, oak forests, and grassy meadows.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Plaskett Creek Campground
Plaskett Creek Campground offers a beautiful location just minutes from Sand Dollar Beach, one of the largest and most popular beaches in central California.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
Tumey Hills
Look closely at the ground you will find evidence of the vast inland sea that once covered the Tumey Hills. The light porous rocks are composed of diatoms, the tiny, bleached, shell-like skeletons of sea algae.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving population of endemic tule elk is showcased on one of three auto tour routes.
- Birding
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Condon Peak
Located on the outskirts of the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), Condon Peak offers rolling grass-covered slopes with a few tall pines and shrubs, as well as steep slopes and rocky outcrops covered with pine and brush.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Williams Hill
Located in southern Monterey County, and standing over 2,700 feet in elevation, Williams Hill offers great views of the surrounding Salinas Valley.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Merced National Wildlife Refuge
The Merced National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian woodlands.
- Birding
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge
The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge located in Stanislaus County encompasses more than 7,300 acres of riparian woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands that host a diversity of wildlife native to California’s Great Central Valley.
- Birding
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Coalinga Mineral Springs
The Coalinga Mineral Springs National Recreation Trail was designated under the National Recreation Trails System Act in 1981. The trail is located on the scenic southern tip of the Diablo Mountains.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (7)
Stockdale Mountain
Private property surrounds Stockdale Mountain. Do not enter through private gates or fences.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Curry Mountain
Parking access onto nearly 1,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management property in this area is provided through an easement from the California Department of Fish and Game.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Rob Hill Group Campground
As San Francisco's only group campground, Rob Hill offers a national park camping experience just minutes from the city.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Water Access
Haypress Campground
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 1 mile from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Cerro Alto Campground
Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Salinas. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Salinas
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Salinas?
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), about 10 miles northwest of Salinas as the crow flies. Next are Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (14 mi) and White Oaks Campground (25 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Salinas?
Based on Salinas’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.