Malibu Creek State Park

Fantastic national park with beautiful views and hiking paths. Also filming locations for M.A.S.H, Planet of the Apes, Halloween H20, Cleopatra and many many more. Check weather before hiking because of heat and lack of shadow and bring lots of water.

It was great. Me and my class and 2 other classes had an amazing time to experience it all. The sights were just beautiful. Me and some of my classmates and 2 supervisors got to have lunch in an area where it was just a few minutes away. There were many animals that we saw. Se saw 3 deers, 1 frog, many dragonflies, 1 rattlesnake, and many more. If you like to hike and seeking through some of the paths of nature, then I would recommend Malibu Creek State Park in California.

The M*A*S*H film site in Malibu Creek State Park is a must-visit for fans of the iconic TV show. The scenic hike to the location is filled with beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Once there, you'll find old set pieces and informative signs. It's a nostalgic and enjoyable experience, perfect for history and TV buffs. Great for a day trip with family or friends!

My favorite hiking spot - mostly easy to moderate but so picturesque and you can go to the old Mash film location. Plenty of spots to stop for a snack or picnic break. I don’t think dogs are allowed but you should check. There’s a cute little souvenir store and mini museum.

We did a couple of birthday parties in the picnic area for our kids. I think it is a great place to do that: enough space for kids to run, restrooms conveniently located, coal grills to do barbecue if desired. On other days, we did a bunch of walks there. You can bring a stroller, especially the all terrain one. Very nice views, there is even a place where people rest by the water (and even try to swim there). Beautiful park overall.

Always beautiful is Malibu Creek State Park nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. They have great hiking trails and views at every turn. Malibu Creek is flowing right now but will be a little stream in the summer. Please leave your pets at home for this park is not dog friendly and it gets very hot in late Spring and Summer. Please always remember to throw away your trash. Thank you!!

Nice easy trail, with no difficulty and plenty of shades, by the Rock Pool the trail turns moderate as you have to hop on river stones to reach the resting area to get some splashing at the natural pool with awesome views.

This one is a little tough. We love camping and always have a good time no matter what the trip throws at us. This campground was very nice when we visited in April but there were a few negatives I wanted to point out. I don’t think any are deal breakers but just things you need to look out for. First you need to really look at the site map. There are some great spots and then some that I would not want to be at if it’s a sunny day. We had a small tree at our site and it was just enough. Some sites had great coverage and others are exposed as it gets. We were here on a Monday and the trash truck showed up at 5:10am not a huge deal but it was loud as heck at that time. Last negative was the wood that the camp host was selling. It was complete garbage and would not burn. Again this will be different from time to time but just something to check. The location of this site is great because there are a lot of trails that are close by and the drives are all really pretty. The day use was super busy on Sunday and then died down a ton by Monday. We walked the little trail right at the site and it was a nice easy “hike” with a good amount of water that people were playing in. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful, bathrooms and showers were clean and having hot water is always a huge plus. There were a good amount of critters so make sure you don’t leave food out. There are also signs for poison oak so keep an eye on the kids. The is a site that we would visit again as long as we could get a good site. The prices are good and being that close to the beach and a lot of hiking is great

Fantastic national park with beautiful views and hiking paths. Also filming locations for M.A.S.H, Planet of the Apes, Halloween H20, Cleopatra and many many more. Check weather before hiking because of heat and lack of shadow and bring lots of water.

It was great. Me and my class and 2 other classes had an amazing time to experience it all. The sights were just beautiful. Me and some of my classmates and 2 supervisors got to have lunch in an area where it was just a few minutes away. There were many animals that we saw. Se saw 3 deers, 1 frog, many dragonflies, 1 rattlesnake, and many more. If you like to hike and seeking through some of the paths of nature, then I would recommend Malibu Creek State Park in California.

The M*A*S*H film site in Malibu Creek State Park is a must-visit for fans of the iconic TV show. The scenic hike to the location is filled with beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Once there, you'll find old set pieces and informative signs. It's a nostalgic and enjoyable experience, perfect for history and TV buffs. Great for a day trip with family or friends!

My favorite hiking spot - mostly easy to moderate but so picturesque and you can go to the old Mash film location. Plenty of spots to stop for a snack or picnic break. I don’t think dogs are allowed but you should check. There’s a cute little souvenir store and mini museum.

We did a couple of birthday parties in the picnic area for our kids. I think it is a great place to do that: enough space for kids to run, restrooms conveniently located, coal grills to do barbecue if desired. On other days, we did a bunch of walks there. You can bring a stroller, especially the all terrain one. Very nice views, there is even a place where people rest by the water (and even try to swim there). Beautiful park overall.

Always beautiful is Malibu Creek State Park nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. They have great hiking trails and views at every turn. Malibu Creek is flowing right now but will be a little stream in the summer. Please leave your pets at home for this park is not dog friendly and it gets very hot in late Spring and Summer. Please always remember to throw away your trash. Thank you!!

Nice easy trail, with no difficulty and plenty of shades, by the Rock Pool the trail turns moderate as you have to hop on river stones to reach the resting area to get some splashing at the natural pool with awesome views.

This one is a little tough. We love camping and always have a good time no matter what the trip throws at us. This campground was very nice when we visited in April but there were a few negatives I wanted to point out. I don’t think any are deal breakers but just things you need to look out for. First you need to really look at the site map. There are some great spots and then some that I would not want to be at if it’s a sunny day. We had a small tree at our site and it was just enough. Some sites had great coverage and others are exposed as it gets. We were here on a Monday and the trash truck showed up at 5:10am not a huge deal but it was loud as heck at that time. Last negative was the wood that the camp host was selling. It was complete garbage and would not burn. Again this will be different from time to time but just something to check. The location of this site is great because there are a lot of trails that are close by and the drives are all really pretty. The day use was super busy on Sunday and then died down a ton by Monday. We walked the little trail right at the site and it was a nice easy “hike” with a good amount of water that people were playing in. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful, bathrooms and showers were clean and having hot water is always a huge plus. There were a good amount of critters so make sure you don’t leave food out. There are also signs for poison oak so keep an eye on the kids. The is a site that we would visit again as long as we could get a good site. The prices are good and being that close to the beach and a lot of hiking is great

I recently tackled a trail at Malibu Creek State Park, and while the hike was definitely challenging, the views from the top were a bit of a letdown. We went on a cloudy day, so the stunning vistas I had heard about were completely obscured by fog. I'm sure that on a sunny day, the views would be spectacular and it could easily become one of my favorite hikes in LA. Despite the cloudy conditions, the trail itself was tough and offered a good workout. I'd recommend giving it a try once the fog burns off--there's potential for a really rewarding hike with great scenery.

The good: I camped here for a night in space 44 and thought it was great. I'd choose the spot again. It was flat and had shaded areas for the tent. It also had a tree with drooping branches and leaves that created a hut private enough for an outdoor bathroom or a hammock. The bathrooms were clean. This was a great spot for us to take our two kids for their first camp experience. It was easy with the two parking spots right by the camp site. The trail to the creek was smooth enough and mostly paved for us to pull our kids in the wagon. The bad: There isn't soap inside the toilet area but there's soap in the sink outside the restroom. The creek was walking distance from the campsite and was smelly. The interesting: I'd recommend wearing water shoes into the creek areas because of the mossy algae.

What a nice park to spend the day or stay overnight for some camping! We chose to visit the park for some hiking and exploring! The entrance to the park is 12 dollars for day use! The park provides plenty of parking and relatively clean bathrooms with toilet paper. Thought out the park their our numerous trails to explore! We checked out the MASH site by taking the main trailhead just off the parking lot to Craig's trail! We were treated to great wildlife scenery! The river had water still flowing with beautiful spring flowers out! Plus quite bit of active wildlife: we saw bunnies, birds and a rattlesnake! The hike to the MASH site is approximately 5 miles round trip . It's a mostly flat hike with a hill or two. The trail does get busy! Also the trail is mostly in the sun so bring a good wide brim hat and plenty of water! Once at the MASH site you will be treated to some vehicles remaining from the show: including the ambulance. Plus the area provides some signs to tell you about filming. Also there is a shaded area to rest or have a picnic. Other trails along the way will take you to a dam, water hole or visitor center. We did not experience these trails but saw lots of people in bathing suits ready to have some fun! As for the visitor center, if planning to visit, check hours. On a Saturday of our visit, the visitor center was only open from 12-4. Pretty short hours!

We spent the weekend here in the campground and the facilities were just ok. We've been to other state campgrounds that were less expensive and had way more to offer. The bathrooms were just ok. They have no soap. There was no soap dispenser. There were no paper towels or even a hook in the bathroom to hang your towel or bag. You can literally go in the bathroom to use the toilet. They did have some hand sanitizer on the outside sinks. Also, we only found one trash can by the outdoor sinks. Where are all the trash bins? No hookups are at the assigned spots, but we had a faucet near to use. The grass is a bit long, so if you plan to lay around in the grass, you'll have a lot to contend with. Not that we haven't been around the campfire and smoke before, but someone was burning something that wasn't wood. It had such a strong stinky smell that drifted across the campground to our area. The campground showed "full" but half the spots were empty. I suppose people make reservations and don't show up? After 10pm, it was loud--people talking loudly, laughing, music, etc. I'm not sure quiet hours are enforced. On the plus side, you will be near nice hiking trails, so if you like venturing out, you'll be surrounded by a beautiful backdrop.

Came for a 2-day camping trip, it was an absolute blast! We came the first week of January right after the rain. The sky and air was clear and beautiful but the sun didn't come out till about 11am and started setting around 4pm. It was very cold but we enjoyed bundling up and staying cozy by the fire pit. The views from most sites were stunning, surrounded by trees and fields of green grass. Each camp site has a fire pit and picnic table. There are water spigots scattered throughout the camp ground and 2 restrooms on either end. The restrooms were very clean with automated flushing, plenty of toilet paper, and hot water to wash your hands, (no hand soap though so you have to bring your own). We noticed every morning someone came in and cleaned so it smelled nice and sanitized. They do have showers which are coin operated but I didn't use them. There are also some sinks outside where you can do dishes and brush your teeth. They had a camp host there that sold firewood from 3-8pm and had some cute activities for children. There was also a ranger who would drive by consistently to make sure all was well. There are tons of cute little critters; little rabbits, ground squirrels, some kind of chipmunks, and very cute little mice. Because of them, there are tons of holes everywhere it wasn't a bother to us, though we did trip here and there so be sure to have the right shoes. Overall it was a great campsite, clean, easy to get to, and we felt very safe. I would recommend this place to families and anyone camping for the first time! They have amazing info on their website with everything you need to know about reservations, hiking, parking, everything!

I wanted my last review of 2023 to be Malibu Creek State Park because this place is truly beautiful. I love that it is easily accessible, and that I don't have to drive down the canyon to get here. There is camping here, but you can also come here for the day. There is a small fee to get in, but it helps in preserving this beautiful park!! The views here are insane, and they have hiking trails for all skill levels. If you're up for it, you can hike to the Mash site. There is also so many trails you can go on with kids that are easy and fun. We usually bring our bikes here and it's so fun! Being out in nature makes me super happy, and the beauty of this place does not disappoint. Aside from Solstice Canyon, this is my favorite trail in Malibu!!

Generally pretty good, even though it wasn't as nice as we saw it in the pictures. I like that it has water, restrooms and showers. But there are a LOT of annoying wasps in the afternoon and in the morning, especially when we're cooking. We took a short hike to the nearby Rock Pool. It was quite easy and nice. We were able to play in the pool at the end of the trail. There were also people jumping into the lake. But it was not that crowded on a weekday.

malibu creek state park was such a fun way to celebrate summer. A group of 6 of us stayed for two nights and three days. The site was 98 for our stay and 12 per car. Our campsite came with a picnic table and a fireplace. The showers and bathrooms were communal and you had to pay for hot water while showing. Also, there was a waterhole nearby and a place to cliff jumping. staff was friendly and helpful. Highly recommend coming!!

Great views here. They have camping and clean restrooms. I don't like that you have to pay to park. There's plenty of trash can a long the trail. It's doesn't get too busy if you come during the week.

Happy Earth Day Yelp friends!! Malibu Creek is such a beautiful and unique park. I've gone on endless hikes here and seem to always see something new. There are hills, creeks, different routes you can take, ruins of old housing, a MASH filming site, picnic tables, and wild life. I really like how the hikes aren't too hard too. Makes for more of a enjoyable experience for me and my knees lol. Plus there are lots of photo locations for those that are into that- like myself ;) It's so beautiful there are often couples taking what looks like engagement photos. And by the creek there are some trees that make you feel like you're in Lord of the Rings. So gorgeous and serene. Best part, you'll probably see some deer! Or a snake (where my Slytherins at??)

This review is primarily in regards to the campgrounds. Malibu Creek State Park is wonderful for hiking, camping and exploring. We have a travel trailer and understand this is dry camping. Day pass is $12 and overnight $45 (no hookups). Use https://reservecalifornia.com/Web/ to book your site. Beautiful country side camping. Campsites can accommodate tents and a few trailers. Although no hookups, there is drinking water, flush toilets, hot shower, and RV waste station ($10 fee). Book early and understand it might be hot in summer months. Highlights: Many trails that showcase old Hollywood filming sites, which was super cool. We loved hiking to the old MASH TV site (2.5 miles, 5 miles RT). You can also fish in the creek and hike the trails throughout the park. Great visitors center open Saturday & Sunday which gives historical, cultural and geographic info. Rock pool was another nice short hike with an amazing payoff! Great swimming hole. Only negatives were pincher bugs, and high grass at our campsite. I mean lots of bugs!! Would definitely, hike, camp and/or explore again!

So beautiful! After a super rainy last few months, we finally had good weather this weekend and I'm so glad that we chose this place. It was easy to get to, so green, and bursting with flowers. The trails weren't difficult, so its great for first-time or low-intensity hikers. There are plenty of options for distance and difficulty. Also, it was such a surprise to see the rock climbing area and people cliff jumping into the lake - how cool! The history too is amazing. We couldn't figure out how to get to the M*A*S*H site, unfortunately, so I wish that had been more obvious. Either way, though, you cant really go wrong coming here and exploring.

It's very close to my home so we camp here a lot. I've never been bit here all these years but the last 2 times, just recently and about a month ago, I got chigger bites. I wasn't the only one so I know it was this place. I really hope someone sprays the long grass. I won't be camping here until winter when the chiggers will be dormant.

I was excited that booking a campsite here was easier than expected for a weekend and there was lots of availability! I think part of it is that the price for a campsite ($45/night) is higher than average, and with such a high fee I was a little disappointed that the campground seems to be nickel-and-diming. For instance, instead of providing trail maps for free they are $2/each and there is not any soap in the bathrooms. Still had a fun time, but just wanted to write a quick review to let other people know to BRING HAND SOAP for the camp bathrooms! To be clear, it's not like they were out... There's literally just not a soap dispensers in any of the bathrooms (at least not the ones that were near my campsite #6).

This is a beautiful state park. We took our home school kids doing with their friends and we all enjoyed. We went there Monday after a raining week so we got to experience a nice flow of water. There is plenty of parking in the lower and upper lot. Big parking spaces. There are also plenty of picnic benches around both parking lots and a huge plus with clean bathrooms. We went on the common trail which was perfect for the kids. There are break offs from the main trail to go closer to stream. My only gripe is that the main trail has no shade. Because of that the kids wanted to go back before we made to the visitor center. So if you have smaller kids, make sure they have a hat to block the Sun.

How very lucky we are to be able to access this beautiful land! Winter time is my favorite time to hike as I don't worry about the snakes, not to mention the heat. The recent rains turned hills green and filled the creek with water. This time we took the mail trailhead in, parking in the lot by the bathrooms. As we spontaneously set out on a Sunday morning, there were more folks than usual on the trails. Watch out for the bikers, some forget to use a bell or call out when they're approaching. The weekdays will provide a quieter experience. We headed out to the MASH site, however, at .5 miles away from the site, we came upon a stream which was unable to be crossed. Well, that's not entirely true, I chose not to balance on the fallen logs and trees. Instead we turned around and hiked to the dam which was shaded and the air noticeable cooler. What a glorious site to see the dam filled with water!!! Just love everything about this place! I've never camped at this particular park, although the campgrounds looked good for tent camping. Day use is free if you walk into the park, otherwise fee is 12.00 a car or 11.00 a car for seniors. Remember your water, use sunscreen and have a wonderful time!

If you are camping at Malibu Creek State Park Campground, you do not want to miss the sunset setting over the Santa Monica Mountains. What a fantastic site. Aside from Leo Carrillo SP Campground, this is the next closest SP campground destination from the City. Some of the difference between these two campgrounds: - There isn't a convenience store within the park. - The campground is close to a major street, Las Virgenes Rd. You can hear cars roaring down the road in the evening. - Unless you are in a handicap campground, water spigots are distant and centrally located by the restroom. Why I enjoyed this campground: - Easy access to trails (15 miles) around the hills - Rockpool, but make sure to check the algae condition before going in for a dive - Rock climbing. Witnessed a group attempting a climb. - So close to home, yet feels so far away and one with nature. Tip 1 - Reserve ahead at CA Reserve site. Although reservation is not available until 2 pm, we managed to arrive in the morning and receive an overnight pass and hike the trails without paying additional for a day-use. Tip 2 - Bring sandals to prevent barleys and small objects from getting stuck inside your socks.

Great place to picnic and hike. You have to pay a daily entrance fee if you don't have an annual State Park Pass. Every hiker had a mask on or quickly put one on when closing in on other hikers, there is a good choice of trails to select from and wasn't busy on a weekday. Park is clean and well kept with Park Rangers on site. We left before dark but I'm sure on a clear night, the stars must be beautiful for the campers on the other side of the park. Water was stagnant so expect mosquitos and bring your bug repellent. Depending on the trail you decide to take there can be areas without much shade so bring a hat, sunglasses, SPF and of course, don't forget your water. The few hikers we came across were friendly and it was a nice little get away for the day. Would be nice not to see beer cans/bottles littered at some areas near the Rock Pool but the awful graffiti definitely ruined the spot. There are more than enough walls and signs to tag on in the cities so it's just sad that anyone would go through the trouble to pay an entrance fee, come all this way and hike this trail (granted it's easy but still takes effort) and leave their mess on the rocks, signs and trees here at this beautiful park! Some things are better left as nature intended but I guess that's expected of these hikes local to L.A. Other than that, it can still be an enjoyable experience.

RE: HIKING TO THE M*A*S*H SITE: *CROSSING THE STREAM: To get to the M*A*S*H site, you will have to cross a stream. There are a couple precarious looking logs that I did not feel comfortable stepping on. Getting my feet wet wasn't an option either. Luckily, I found an area with a reasonably wide board. It was pretty easy and safe to cross there. Get off the deck area and walk to the left, along the stream. You will find the board (it looks charred but is sturdy). I'm sad to read that some people weren't able to cross the logs. It makes sense because you don't immediately see the wider board, you have to look for it. Maybe bring a trekking pole if that helps you navigate the crossing. I hope this helps! It's also possible that the creek is too high to cross at times. Can't help there. Maybe avoid this hike after rainfall? GETTING TO THE PARK: I had no issue using my GPS to get here. I plugged in Malibu Creek State Park (1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas). FEE: The entrance station was unstaffed when I arrived. There was a pay station as soon as you entered however I saw a man struggling to use his card (it wasn't taking it). Don't worry -- you've got multiple options to pay. There is another pay station at the Lower Lot. There are also signs with QR codes for an app (Yodel, in case you want to download it in advance). The app allows you to pay online. It's $12 for all-day; $3.00 for one hour; $6.00 for two hours; and $9.00 for three hours. If you know you'll be quick, maybe get the shorter option but I got the all-day parking pass, for peace of mind. I didn't know how long I'd be and didn't want to worry about it. If you use Yodel, you might be able to update it on the trail as I don't recall ever fully losing cell service. That being said, maybe the $12 is worth not having to concern yourself with it. FYI: I am not sure if the machine accepts cash. Not sure if the staff does either. PARKING: Once you enter, stay right and keep going to the Lower Lot. This is where the trail begins (past the bathrooms). BATHROOMS: Real bathrooms and not merely a hole in the ground. Pretty clean too. FOLLOWING THE TRAIL: The trail was pretty easy to follow and also well-marked. I kept seeing signs for the M*A*S*H site. FYI: It's a little over 4.5 miles for the MASH site (out and back). You can keep going past the M*A*S*H site and it will add about 2 miles to your hike (this entire trail is called the Malibu Lake Trail; it's listed as such on AllTrails; I've attached a map). You can also turn back after the M*A*S*H site and add a few other side quests that I skipped due to exhaustion (Century Lake: go right before the stream crossing; and Rock Pool: you'll see a sign closer to the trailhead). This version is called the Rock Pool and Century Lake Trails on AllTrails (map also attached). Technically, you'd be adding to it by continuing to the M*A*S*H site. I used AllTrails to map my progress but could have probably found the M*A*S*H site without it. Nice to see such a well-marked and maintained park (our fees at work). THE SITES / SIGHTS: The M*A*S*H site is pretty neat. There's an old rusted vehicle and a recently restored one. The restored one even has a little step stool, inviting you inside. By the rusted vehicle, there's a cell phone holder so you can take a photo together. I've never seen this in a park anywhere. How cool and considerate. There are also multiple signs telling you about the history of the site and providing some context. Interesting, beautiful, and pretty well-maintained. On the way to the M*A*S*H site, you'll also pass a Planet of the Apes shoot site (also has a sign). Nothing remains but it's still cool to read about. Love hikes with historical sites. Btw, the trail itself is beautiful and serene. Lots of greenery and skittering of animals. PREPARATION: Bring water, obviously. I will say that there are a lot of pockets of shade on this trail which makes it more manageable on hot days. The usual: comfortable shoes, sunblock, hat. You know how it goes. Enjoy!

There's always something around the corner on this trail.... First time here and it did not disappoint. There's a few different entrance that will lead you to the middle, depending on where your destination is. We entered from The main entrance not far from Malibu lake. About a couple miles from the 101. Parking along the street is limited as most has no parking sign. We noticed a few cars parked along the front so we did as well. But did noticed when we walked in that there's a lot inside just off the road. With the rain we had a while ago, everything is nice and green and all the wild flowers blooming. Every corner you take, nature at its best. From the beginning, you are along a road but then leads you to a trail. There's plenty of marked signs that tells you what trail and how long it takes to get there. We just kept of continuing not knowing where we were going. Of course, you funds things that you didn't know or expect. Once we reached the top, the view alone is spectacular. Below is the Malibu creek. From there we into some rangers and they mentioned if we continue across the creek, you come upon the MASH filming site. Each trails that you take will not disappoint. Along the creek up to the site, you're greeted with an old ambulance. Not sure if it's the original but there was another old automobile up ahead. There's also a placard that tells you about the site and filming locations. As well as a covers area with picnic tables. Having been here for the first time, it surely did not disappoint. The trails are amazing and pretty moderate.

We really enjoyed our visit to Malibu State park! We saw enormously large rocks, walked through oak groves, listened to birds sing, enjoyed calm sounds of a creek and had a fun time at the Visitor's Center. The rangers at the Visitor's Center are highly knowledgeable. Our little one learned such fun facts as: - Why do the owls turn their heads all around their bodies? - How light is an owl's wing feather? We got to touch it! - How do insects look under a microscope? We actually got to use a microscope! - What is the differences between crows and a ravens? Our little one is including this useful information in a research project for school. - What games did the Chumash people used to play? Overall, a great visit! We are very grateful to all the rangers for spending time with us at the Visitor Center and sharing so much knowledge with our family. We can't wait to be back!

Great spot but for the bees apparently theirs a huge hive behind a few campsites that they are aware of but don't want to touch. luckily i had a 10x10 pop up with screen why stayed inside the whole time. i have never in my life seen so many bees .

Great Park and highly recommend but don't be confused by the name Malibu.....this is not ocean facing.

The most beautiful CA hike I've visited. Bathrooms at the beginning and middle of the trail. Rock pool trail was used for puny cliff diving and rock climbers ‍ Paid $12 for all day parking. Didn't need the $2 map. Just follow the river! We went in April so everything was green and flowers were blooming Didn't get to see MASH site. Need to cross calf-deep river or suspicious, angled log "bridge" to see it.

I got to the park via Mulholland Highway which traverses the Santa Monica Mountains on a Tuesday (also election day). The park was not crowded but it was November and yet.so.damn.hot.and.sunny. It's $12 to park all day but ONLY visa/mastercard are accepted, NO CASH. (COVID safety for the park employees!) On the way out I found out how quickly connected this park is to the 101 highway, a much easier road to get here. (You pass by the site of Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash in a January mist, off Las Virgines road.) The best thing about this park is a semblance of ecological coherence and integrity. What you see is the same landscape that the indigenous people tended and lived off, with knowledge of the seasons, plants, and animals based on tens of thousands of years of association. That was before the down-and-out detritus of Europe and eastern U.S. came crawling west in the 1850s on the hearsay of striking "gold" in California. They were a murderous lot, who brutalized and massacred entire villages of native peoples to squat on what was not theirs. Just as it is a miracle that some indigenous people survived the existential devastation that white invaders brought, so also it seems miraculous to see old stands of mighty live oaks today, rising out of the hot, arid savannah grasslands. A scant mile from the park you will see the consequences of anglo-American ecological destruction, in the ominously cookie-cutter streets of suburban Agoura Hills. That represents the willful, systematic destruction of the indigenous oak savanna ecology and its replacement by a dystopian imported version of nature: a tree complex that belongs in Vermont or Great Britain rather than in the brown surrounding hills. This replacement "landscape" that suits the anglo-aesthetic consumes too much water which drawns on yet more violence: stolen and transported water from indigenous territory hundreds of miles away in the Sierra Nevada foothills. But ecological incoherence is not viewed as a problem in a culture based on genocide, brutal occupation, and thin triumphalist myths. Just look at all of LA outside this state park. The tremendous size and history of the live oaks here will pierce through the conscience of all-but-the-insensitive visitors whose standard american cultural upbringing offers only deafening silence and erasure of the indigenous people's socio-economic history. The little acorns underfoot were the staple food of the indigenous peoples. The ground and leached acorn flour as we use wheat flour today. The park includes two ephemeral creeks, Malibu and Las Virgenes, along the sides of which are other magnificent indigenous species including the California sycamore with mottled tree trunks. I didn't get to the M.A.S.H. site (the celebration of fictional American imperialism in the 20th century!) nor the Reagan Ranch (to celebrate a racist man who played brinkmanship with nuclear annihilation of the planet, not to mention destroy all previously established social safety nets in this country?). Under the incredibly deep shade of the oaks, one can hear, smell, and sense the universe of life teeming in the branches and nooks: blue jays, towhees, tits, and scrub jays screeching and kerfuffling. The darting movements of skinks and squirrels scraping trunks. From the interior parking lot, the rock pool is a destination hike, in which, there is water and some beautiful rock formations. Of course, it being LA there was a photo shoot going on with a shouty young model posing for men with cameras, declaring her feelings and thoughts in an exaggerated volume sans mask of course. This park is worth visiting for a stroll and a picnic, as many families seemed to do, but best, an opportunity to understand the indigenous sense of place and ecology. If your eyes are open during your park visit, you will understand the true causes of California's epic ecological failures--fires, droughts, ground water subsidence etc. and be privy to insights lost to LA's boastful environmentalists. You will see what a century of deliberate American "improvement" has done to devastate nature's rationale, it's historic, indigenous ecology. Use this site to connect yourself more deeply to the true history and spirit of this land. You will see how to fix our problems (hint: it does not involve "green" technology, nor "green" products).

Beautiful place for a hike, I love the scenery, even, after the tragic and devastating wild fires caused tons of damage, this place still holds its beauty and recovering nicely. Nature is a magnificent thing. Its also a great spot to camp and enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends. I love this place! A must see if you are around this area.

A great escape for those seeking to get a hike or stroll in a pristine and well kept park. Definitely aim to go after the Covid restrictions subside. There is so much to see with the available trails. Try to stop by the M.A.S.H site to see the vehicles from the TV show. So cool.

After reading some of the poor reviews online, we were somewhat apprehensive about organizing our annual family campout here. We needn't have been. The campground was clean, well-policed by park rangers, full of well-behaved families, with excellent trails along the creek and to the rock pools. Although it was a hot late-July weekend, some campsites had shade from big oak trees (our own tent was completely shaded), and temperatures in the morning, evening and at night were perfect. Also, an easy drive to Malibu and its fabulous beaches. (Warning: a lot of cheeky squirrels here! They will chew through tents in search of food. Don't leave food or trash unattended, or store outside vehicles.) Overall it was a great experience, and all of our fellow campers were friendly and considerate. I'd definitely camp here again.

We used our annual pass to visit this park for the first time over the MLK long weekend - long line to get into the park, but once inside we were pleasantly surprised to find plenty of parking available. The weather was perfect for January- not cold yet not hot. Thankfully some time had passed since it last rained so it wasn't as muddy as recent reviews I read stated. We did the Rock Pool and Century Lake trails. In my opinion the most scenic part of the trail was at the very beginning! There are some picnic tables near the parking lot and beginning of trail so perfect place to bring a packed lunch!

A really great hike just about an hour from East LA! Parking is plentiful and reasonable ($3 and hour or $12 for the whole day). Restrooms are located at the beginning of the trails and there is a set of port o potty's once you're about 20 mins in. When you get to the first split, go left for the rock pool or right for the mountains and a hike that has more uphill trails. The rock pools are fun to jump around from rock to rock and there is also a great climbing rock where climbers can bring their own gear. The larger mountain is a little steep in some places but the views are great. I have already come here twice and can't wait to go again!

This is such a cool park with natural beautiful and it is suitable for all ages and activities. Many school children come out here to just play around the creek and the grass land areas. For the RV campers, there is a special parking area that's just for the RVs. Being first time here, we were so intrigued by the vast reserves of the mountain and creeks. The park is well kept so it was easy for us to strike along the hiking path without getting lost. Once we parked and past the bridge, we were in a different world away from the busy PCH. The vast grass prairie field transported us to the sound music land. We thought we were in Austria where Maria was singing the "Song of Music". The scenery was just breadth taking. Many people bring their K9 friends to swim in the creek and play with the wild ducks. The reflection of the mountains in the stream created a surreal feeling for us. We felt that we had been missing a lot before we visited here. It was too bad that we didn't have the time to visit the old "Mash" TV film site as we had to bail for our dinner reservation at Duke's Malibu that evening. We definitely will be back to visit the "Mash" site and the Reagan Ranch.

This trail seems to just be an old cattle pasture that was turned into a "trail". I've been to many of the trails in the LA metro area, and this is probably my LEAST enjoyable. The river and creek area is not bad but the trail is very muddy, has areas that are cut off, lacks inclines, smells in certain areas, has frequent animal dung, and the worst thing is that it costs money to use. I've never seen any trail here that costs money to use by the hour lol. That's crazy because this trail is so bad but costs $3/hour to park! There are so many dope trails in SoCal that are FREE of charge. I've been to this "park" twice, and I would advise that you not waste your time and money.

I don't expect much from Southern California parks because they tend to be a little on the dryer side, but Malibu Creek State Park was pretty green and had some great sites. We took Craggs Road to the MASH Site (~6.5 mi), but there looked to be so many branches that I'll def plan on making my way back to explore their pretty expansive trail system in the future. The trail itself is relatively flat with some inclines here and there. The trees looked pretty lush and there was plenty of water in the creek for a socal natural fresh body of water. Some of the trail is shades, while others are not--so put some sun block on just in case. Entrance/parking in the area is $3/hr or $12/day. There is plenty of parking throughout the different lots.

I love hiking and watching classic TV shows. So it was a no brainer to check out the Malibu Creek State Park hike to see the ghostly remains of the MASH set. The land was once a private movie ranch owned by 20th Century Fox Studios. But later converted over to Malibu Creek State Park, where the public could just stroll onto the set during the middle of taping. Could you imagine just walking onto a working set these days? I guess, things were different back in the 70s. Today, you can hike to the actual filming location and wander around the old props and set pieces -- in a location that seems worlds away from anything. The 4.75 mile trek is one of the most unique hikes I've done in Los Angeles -- and perfect for families or friends of all physical activity levels. It's mostly flat and very easy to follow with signs marking the trail the entire way. Upon arriving at Malibu Creek State Park you'll come to a ranger station where you'll need to pay for parking. You have the option to either pay by the hour ($3 per hour) or a flat fee of $12 that will last all day. I wasn't exactly sure how long the hike would take -- plus, let's just say, I've been known to get lost on hikes in the past! The flat fee is just the easiest so that's what we decided to do. Like those old late-night infomercials, I'd rather just set it and forget it! As you pull through the gate, you'll be struck by this park's incredible beauty. I could immediately tell how much effort has been put into keeping the area clean. It is about a 5 minute drive from the park gate to the hiking trailhead. Do not park in the first lot -- keep driving down the path until you reach the second parking lot. I was initially confused on where to go. You'll also find bathrooms at both parking lots. An inside tip -- the first parking lot's bathrooms are a little cleaner. The trail is wide and flat at the start, allowing you to keep plenty of social distance from others. There is also very little shade at the beginning. For that reason, we suggest doing this trail on a cooler day. As with any hike in California, be sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We got such a kick out of the setting -- and how it screamed southern California to us with its dry conditions and rolling hills. MASH was set in Vietnam, which looks nothing like the dry desert conditions you'd find here. But whatever, I guess most people didn't really question it. Plus, California is so much easier to shoot in. As you make your way to the MASH set, you'll cross streams and eventually come to some shade. I wasn't expecting the actual hike to the set to be all that scenic. But this would be a fantastic hike even if there wasn't a big payoff at the end. Over the years, nature began to reclaim the famous set. An ambulance left behind by the studio became so overgrown that it couldn't be seen by visitors standing just by a few feet away. Recognizing the show is beloved worldwide, State Parks officials authorized an environmentally sensitive, partial restoration of the set in 2007 that cleared some of the overgrowth and made it easier to see where tents and buildings were placed during the show. Today, you'll find the iconic signpost along with information panels and photographs from the original taping. We spent about an hour here -- taking photos and taking in all the history.

Awesome family place Amazing hike and views Beautiful environment Lovely waterfall of you make it to the end of the hike!!! You will not be disappointed

Our family loves this spot. This campground is incredibly easy to get to, family friendly, pet friendly, has showers/bathrooms, and has a super easy hike to a waterfall. Our campground was on flat dry grass, so it was easy to pitch a tent and set up our campsite. There were no trees near us, so I'm not sure how hot it can get in the summer months. The nice thing is that this campground is near a town so it's easy to grab something if you forget it.

First time here . I was greeted by this magnificent site of trees and the river , And the Rocky Mountain all around you arrive to the park entrance and there is a fee was 3 dollars an hour 12 dollar flat rate This place has so many wild life and so many trails The lost cabin trial and the pool trial and many others. It varies between trial some are mountain like and some are like a valley to flat land forest feel. i really loved everything about this park I recommend taking Binoculars if you keep an eye out you get to see red tail falcons , eagle, and some native birds .i saw most of the lizards on the lost cabin trail., if you like to see some lizards this would be the trial for you . you get to see the remaining Mash set The land was owned by 20 century Fox studios and they have some cars on site from the set left on that land and there is like little rest area some shaded tables which makes it like a perfect point to set eat ur snacks and refuel !! I walked 4 hours in this park and I wasn't getting enough of its beauty and nature energy, I can't wait to go back I still have 3 more trial to check and can't Family and kids friendly. restroom available .

$12 parking Day passes or camping passes So many different trails you can explorer. Some for beginners some for advance hikers/ trail runners. Possibilities are endless. Absolutely love this place and most definitely coming back

I've been hiking this place since my early twenties and still enjoy coming out to Malibu Creek. Usually do about a 5 mile trek and you can make it an easy hike or kick it up a few notches. The park has multiple entrances that will lead you to the middle, depending on where your destination is. Bring swim gear if you decide swimming in the Rockpool or cross through a few creeks. The park is well kept so it was easy for us walk along the hiking path without getting lost. There is so much to see with the available trails. Try to stop by the M.A.S.H site to see the vehicles from the TV show.

Camping at Malibu Creek State Park is great - whether by tent or RV. Flush toilets and coin-operated showers are close. There is also a great amount of hiking in the area. The MCSP visitor center is open only during the weekends and that's only if there is a volunteer available. And you have to hike (more like walk) to it. It's an easy hike but just kind of defeats the purpose especially for those that are physically disabled like my husband. Just in case it is closed, you should find a plethora of information at the nearby SMMNRA visitor center: https://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-monica-mountain-national-recreation-area-visitor-center-calabasas-2?hrid=6ZlEga13odEsgusg07jk5Q&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) Also, I asked a park ranger at the front entrance why they mowed the grass surrounding our campground with a tractor. Although he was nice about it, he had no answer. "Try asking one of the maintenance workers." Unless there is a real legitimate reason for it, we'd appreciate it if they kept the campground natural (and quieter). Many day use visitors on weekends. Wildlife galore - especially for bird watchers in this small state park which is situated inside the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area. Thumbs up to the older couple who was picking up trash together on the trails! 2018 Challenge #87

The rangers were super nice and the campground was beautiful! Saw lots of deer and the trails were great and family friendly. Loved spending New Years here!

Located off Las Virgenes in the middle of the Santa Monica mountain range, you'll find this oak tree scattered, mountainous oasis. Backdrop and home of iconic movie scenes like MASH & Planet of the Apes. My first solo camp trip happened here January 20, 2020 for 2 nights. Now, winter camping in L.A. can be a hit or miss.. And it turned out, day 1 was a hit and day 2 was a bit of a miss. First off, I was a bit disappointed in the check-in process. They had me pull over and go to the window which was no problem. They asked if I had a reservation and I said no. Then prompted me about RESERVECalifornia. I said I was familiar but didn't want to pay the booking fee, as I was right here. The girl seemed annoyed and unsure what to do and got another guy to check me in. He asked if I knew what spot I wanted and I didn't but said I'd like to be near the water faucet, bathroom and some type of tree for shelter. He showed me a map and several good options. I handed him my Disabled State Park card and debit card and he said I could only stay in the handicap spots if I wanted the discount. I've never had any other state park tell me this. The campground was empty! Just seems ridiculous that I couldn't get a spot that met my needs. But it was only for a few nights so I went with one and made it work. Unfortunately the second night it poured rain, and had I had a spot under some trees I might not have been exposed to as many elements. Fortunately for me my tent didn't leak. The camp host was not available and the only place to buy firewood was at Albertsons down the road. The bathrooms had toilet paper but no soap or paper towel dispensers. They have cameras on the bathroom building which seems a bit intrusive, but after some bad press, I get why it was needed and was a little bit thankful as a single female camper in an empty campground to have the extra eyes in the sky. I was able to enjoy a wonderful walk the first morning amongst the oak trees and creek. I took my time and enjoyed the sounds of nature. There was a large group of people repelling on a large rock formation. Sometime with a drone filming them and the area. Passed by several hikers enjoying the day. It as very relaxing and enjoyable. The grounds were well kept. Fire pits were clean. Bathrooms are clean. Campsite was flat and had a wheelchair accessible ramp and paved parking spot. The table was maintained and the water was easily accessible. There is a bit of a ground squirrel population and walking in the grass could result in a twisted ankle if you aren't careful. I mean it is nature! But the grounds keepers were out filling the holes the morning I was leaving. Overall this is an acceptable campground. I think the prices are a bit steep for dirt.... But it is Malibu. However I would prefer to be on the beach for those prices with a camp store and some additional amenities. It served its purpose for those two nights and I am thankful.

We went camping after about 2 weeks after it rained and the camping site was beautiful. It was very green and very spacious. It's still 8 people per campsite, but the spaces for each campsites are pretty big. A good amount of gopher holes on the ground, so I would suggest bringing a sleeping mat. It also got cold at night, so pack a blanket. The campsite also has fire pits, but make sure the weather allows for fire before starting one. The camp host was great! She went around the camp a couple of times and brought King Richard (a snake) with her. She's very knowledgeable about the creatures you can find in camp and she answered all the questions we had. One thing I definitely liked was the fact that they have the cleanest bathrooms! That was a huge plus, but the toilets are a bit high for kids and fun size people. I waited for the shortest toilet almost all the time. Showers were coin operated and a 6 minute shower for 3 tokens was plenty of time. There were multiple hiking trails. We opted for the Rock Pool. The hike was easy. Crossed the stream once on the way to our destination. There was a great picturesque spot by the visitor center around the bridge. It was beautiful. Although I imagined the rock pool a little better, it was an okay destination. We took the shaded trail going back and it was a great walk. Overall I really enjoyed this location. It was very beautiful and well maintained. Will definitely plan to come back!

Great place for big hike or nature walk. My grandkids love it here , especially the rocks to climb on

Park on Muholland Hwy for free parking. No entrance fee. Rock Pools are "closed" but here are some pics Water levels are low but more than enough to go jumping in from the rocks around

In the best of times, Malibu Creek State Park is a nice respite from the hustle of Los Angeles and Hollywood. It's a nice open piece of land where you can hike, camp or even shoot a film if you choose to do that on your spare time. During COVID, it's an escape into a world of normalcy where you can get some exercise and fresh air...when it is not crowded. However, when this place is crowded and that's usually during the weekends, it can be a scary place where you start to wonder about humanity itself. Like all state and national parks, masks are mandatory and social distancing is the norm. Unfortunately, many people still believe if they're outside they don't need to mask up. Now, that would be true if you were by yourself, but when the trails there are what some of the hipster havens feel like in LA during the week, it's not really a good idea to go without a mask as many people are either running and breathing heavy or kids are running around. However, during the week and during off hours this place is a nice escape from the urban jungles or the four wall offices that we call our homes now. A note for those not interested in paying for parking at the park, you can park on Mulholland Highway and walk in via one of the trail heads, but definitely be aware that you will be leaving your car sometimes for hours by itself without other cars surrounding it. Obviously, on the weekends it might be hard to find parking on Mulholland. The only exception is, if you want to camp you'll need to pay for entrance.

Went back here after years and I forgot how beautiful this hike is. There are so many great paths. The creek was closed but the open trails were still very nice. Great for group hikes the path way is larger than most. There are flat paths as well as inclined paths many options! There is a paid parking lot that only accepts card. I recommend wearing bug spray, sunscreen, and bringing water.

I arrived around 7:30 and easily found free parking on Mulholland which began the many positives that I experienced on this hike. I've read that it is $12 to park in the official parking lot which seems a bit high to me. We were able to access the Grasslands Trail from Mulholland and then connect to Crag Rd trail. I think we were lucky to hike it after our wet winter/spring since I have seen pictures and read reviews of people who hiked it a year or two ago and it was of course drier and not as scenic. The trail does start of dry with a lot of long brown grass but it contrasts in a pretty way with the hills of green and the surrounding mountains. As we made our way closer to the Creek it gets greener and prettier. Our destination was the MASH site and I found this area cool. There are some vehicles, signs, and plaques. I remember watching the show as a kid and I would imagine it makes this more enjoyable with a previous connection to the show. The hills and surrounding cliffs were beautiful. All the people we came across were polite and friendly. This would be about a 5 mile hike...but it is definitely on the easy side with very little vertical gain. We took a slight detour on our way back to explore the Century Dam/Lake area and that was peaceful and serene. *I wish this place was closer to where I lived, but I definitely want to make it back and explore the Rock Pool area *no dogs allowed *there were some mountain bikers but the paths are pretty wide for the most part so it was not difficult to share the trail with themi

Malibu Creek state park could be a wonderful way to spend a day outdoors, exercise, learn a bit of LA history and hike to a standing movie set - for the TV show MASH. Things you can do only in LA. Take Las Virgenes exit from 101 and you'll reach the park soon, it's well marked, free to visit, $12 parking fee. There's also a campsite inside. You can park outside for free, but I like to support the Santa Monica Mountains parks, they have great programs and do great work. This is an easy hike, bit long, but fun and the scenery is gorgeous. Bring comfy shoes, water, there are areas of shade on the trail, you can hike as much or little as you want. Give it some time, disconnect from it all, spend a few hours outdoors while exploring the park. Everything is well marked, the paths are wide, easy, there are restrooms at the entrance. Pack a picnic, enjoy a break in the action and have a meal out. The property used to belong to 20th Century Fox, so they shot a lot of movies and tv shows here - "Planet of the Apes", "MASH" among others. You have a cool hike with a purpose, very LA, to reach the standing sets. I enjoyed the hike and loved seeing the sets and the iconic signs. I never knew I'd get to see them in person while watching the show! Great place to visit in the spring, to catch some cool wildflowers, but it's fun to check out all year around. If you live in LA, make the time, it's worth it, if you visit it, this is a cool stop, get in some film history.