San Ardo, California · Monterey County
Located in southern Monterey County, and standing over 2,700 feet in elevation, Williams Hill offers great views of the surrounding Salinas Valley. Pine trees, chamise, scrub oak, and impressive shale formations characterize the hilly terrain.
Located in southern Monterey County, and standing over 2,700 feet in elevation, Williams Hill offers great views of the surrounding Salinas Valley. Pine trees, chamise, scrub oak, and impressive shale formations characterize the hilly terrain.
Primary access is from US Highway 101. Take the San Ardo exit and travel west onto Paris Valley Road, turn left onto Lockwood-San Ardo Road. The public lands boundary begins approximately 5 miles down the road from the Lockwood-San Ardo Road turnoff. Once at Williams Hill, the campground can be reached by turning onto road W1 and heading south.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Heading to Williams Hill? A few things to know before you go:
Photo: Joshua EarleCalifornia's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Sergei AkulichSteep is hard. These are the ten California trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Maddi BazzoccoTen gentle, well-marked California trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Holly MandarichCalifornia's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoFederal parks and recreation areas in California ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Joshua EarleCalifornia's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.