The Paso Hondo entrance is approximately 3 miles east of the main entrance at 700 Carmel Valley Road. The parking lot is shared with the Dampierre Little League Park which is the easiest way to find the starting point of this seasonal access point.

The River Trail is true to its name and is a vibrant riparian habitat. The seasonal footbridge is a few yards from the parking lot. Stop to admire the Carmel River and proceed to the opposite bank. The River Trail winds near the bank of the Carmel River. Proceed to the right which follows the river downstream for about ½ mile and then meets the East Garzas Road trailheads. Link up to other steeper trails such as Saddle or Laureles for a longer walk. The densely wooded habitat and riparian corridor is lined with willows, oaks, sycamore, cottonwood, and the ever-present poison oak.  

Summer residents include Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Wilson’s Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Black-headed Grosbeak. You will find migrants in the spring and fall such as Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Swainson’s Thrush.  

Access the River Trail from the parking lot via the seasonal footbridge. Please check the MPRPD Website for Garland Ranch for winter and early spring access since the seasonal footbridges across the Carmel River are removed in the fall and not restored until the river flow slows.

About Garland Ranch Regional Park

See all hotspots at Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park contains over 3400 acres that were formerly a ranch. The park is now owned and administered by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. The main entrance at 700 West Carmel Valley Road has a very large parking lot with a walk to a Visitor Center and restroom facilities. A vehicle bridge (for official vehicles only) crosses the Carmel River and is available to pedestrians and cyclists year-round. A small footbridge crosses the river during the summer and fall when the water level is low. The park has a variety of habitats including riparian, meadow, mixed oak woodland, and redwood canyon. The park is multi-use: birders will share the trails with hikers, equestrians, and is dog-friendly (defined as "on leash or within direct voice control;" some park users will stretch this definition). Bicycling is only allowed in a small portion of the park.

The main units of Garland Ranch Regional Park are open dawn to dusk. There are a variety of entrances and various eBird Hotspots, including a "general" Hotspot and a variety of sub-locations that generally feature specific trails. [The is also a stand-alone Hotspot for the newly-acquired, permit-only Kahn Ranch unit.] Elevations with the primary Garland Ranch Regional Park vary from 200 to 2000 feet [60--600m] elevation. The park stretches from the banks of the Carmel River southwards into the Santa Lucia Mountains foothills. Garzas Creek bisects the Park, often flowing through densely wooded habitats.

Garland Ranch Regional Park contains over 3400 acres that were formerly a ranch. The park is now owned and administered by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. The main entrance at 700 West Carmel Valley Road has a very large parking lot with a walk to a Visitor Center and restroom facilities. A vehicle bridge (for official vehicles only) crosses the Carmel River and is available to pedestrians and cyclists year-round. A small footbridge crosses the river during the summer and fall when the water level is low. The park has a variety of habitats including riparian, meadow, mixed oak woodland, and redwood canyon. The park is multi-use: birders will share the trails with hikers, equestrians, and is dog-friendly (defined as "on leash or within direct voice control;" some park users will stretch this definition). Bicycling is only allowed in a small portion of the park.

The main units of Garland Ranch Regional Park are open dawn to dusk. There are a variety of entrances and various eBird Hotspots, including a "general" Hotspot and a variety of sub-locations that generally feature specific trails. [The is also a stand-alone Hotspot for the newly-acquired, permit-only Kahn Ranch unit.] Elevations with the primary Garland Ranch Regional Park vary from 200 to 2000 feet [60--600m] elevation. The park stretches from the banks of the Carmel River southwards into the Santa Lucia Mountains foothills. Garzas Creek bisects the Park, often flowing through densely wooded habitats.

The River Trail