LA’s wildest escape has ancient canyons, a swimming hole, and a famous TV show’s abandoned set

It’s Hollywood’s backyard and a hiker’s paradise

An hour from downtown Los Angeles, more than 8,000 acres of canyons, gorges and rolling meadows cut through the Santa Monica Mountains.

Malibu Creek winds through it all, giving the park its name and pulling people in from the city every weekend.

You’ve got swimming holes, ancient history, 35 miles of trails, and a rusted TV set left behind from a show that ran for 11 years. The canyon looks wild.

It is wild. And parts of it have appeared on the big screen for decades.

The Chumash, the creek and a country club

Long before any cameras showed up, the Chumash and Tongva peoples lived here for thousands of years. The village of Talepop once stood in these mountains, one of the oldest known settlements in the range.

In the early 1900s, wealthy businessmen built the Crags Country Club along the creek. Later, Bob Hope and Ronald Reagan both donated or sold land to the state.

The park opened to the public in 1976. The 2018 Woolsey Fire burned through parts of it, taking some of the old ranch structures with it.

Swim in a hole ringed by volcanic rock

About 1.5 miles from the main parking area, the creek opens into the Rock Pool, a deep natural swimming hole surrounded by tall volcanic rock.

On a warm day, people climb down to the water’s edge and wade in.

Water levels shift with the seasons, so conditions can vary, and the water quality isn’t always safe for swimming. Diving and jumping from the rocks are off-limits.

The rock faces around the pool draw climbers from across Southern California, so even if you skip the water, there’s plenty to watch.

Century Lake sits quiet in the canyon

Past the Rock Pool, the trail leads to Century Lake, a small body of water created by a dam built in the early 1900s.

The surrounding cliffs are made up of porous lava and layers of sedimentary rock, and the mountains reflect on the surface in the morning light.

The trail in is flat and easy, which makes it a good option if you’re bringing kids or just want a low-key walk. Pull out your phone at the water’s edge and the photos almost take themselves.

It’s one of the calmer spots in the park.

Find the rusted ambulance from MASH

Between 1972 and 1983, the crew of the television show M*A*S*H filmed their outdoor scenes right here, about 2.5 miles from the parking area. When they wrapped for good, they left things behind.

A rusted ambulance and other old vehicles still sit at the site. A replica signpost points to the fictional far-off places from the show.

Interpretive displays fill in the story for anyone who remembers the series.

Even if you never watched a single episode, it’s an odd and interesting thing to stumble across at the end of a canyon trail.

The Goat Buttes rise straight out of the canyon floor

Look up from almost anywhere near the creek and you’ll see the Goat Buttes, a pair of dramatic volcanic rock spires that tower over the canyon and Century Lake.

They formed over millions of years from ancient volcanic mountains, and their shape gives the whole park that rugged, cinematic look. Filmmakers noticed early on.

You’ll spot the Buttes in the background of scenes shot here over the decades.

From the trail, they frame the canyon in a way that makes it hard to believe you’re still in Los Angeles County.

Thirty-five miles of trails cover every skill level

The main Crags Road runs wide and flat, and most people use it as the backbone of their day. It’s easy going for casual walkers and families.

Smaller side trails branch off for hikers who want steeper terrain or quieter stretches. The paths wind through oak and sycamore woodlands, open chaparral and shaded creek corridors.

Signage keeps you on track without much guesswork. If you want a short, easy walk, you’ve got it.

If you want to push harder and cover more ground, the trails are there for that too.

Planet of the Apes filmed scenes right on this trail

Much of the original Planet of the Apes came to life in this park.

The old Ape Village site sits along the main trail, and a climbing wall nearby still goes by the name Planet of the Apes Wall. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid filmed the famous cliff-jump scene at Century Lake.

Filmmakers have been using the canyon, the rock formations and the creek for decades. Walking the trail, you’ll pass spots you’ve probably already seen on screen without knowing it.

Deer, bobcats and migratory birds share the park

The year-round creek draws wildlife from across the range. Deer move through the meadows and woodlands, and bobcats, rabbits and lizards all live here.

In spring, migratory birds stop in the wetland areas along the water. Birdwatchers set up near the creek and rack up sightings, especially during migration season.

The park protects three nature preserves that cover rare plants and volcanic formations, and the stream supports several rare and protected species. You don’t have to go looking for wildlife here.

It tends to find you.

Camp overnight and stay for the quiet

The campground sits among oak woodlands with canyon views and has more than 55 RV and tent sites. Sites come with picnic tables and access to restrooms.

RV access comes with size limits, so check those before you come.

A weekend stay gives you time to hike more of the 35 miles, catch early morning light on the Buttes, and take the longer routes without rushing. Families and first-time campers use this place often.

It’s not a remote backcountry experience, but the canyon at night is quiet in a way the city never is.

Picnic, fish or bike through the oaks

The park runs at a slower pace away from the main trail corridor.

Shaded picnic areas sit among the oaks with tables and grills, and the open meadows give kids plenty of space to run. Freshwater fishing is available in permitted areas.

Bass and bluegill both live in the creek, and you’ll need a valid California fishing license along with attention to the posted restrictions. Biking is welcome on many of the wider fire roads.

A small visitor center covers local wildlife and history if you want a few minutes out of the sun.

A canyon that stays with you long after you leave

Few places this close to a major city feel this far from it. The canyon walls block the noise.

The creek is constant. The trails stretch far enough that you can get genuinely lost in the landscape if you want to.

Beginners can stick to the flat creek road. More experienced hikers can push into the backcountry.

History runs through every part of it, from the Chumash village that stood here thousands of years ago to the film crews that kept coming back.

That combination doesn’t show up often, and once you’ve walked it, it’s hard to stop thinking about going back.

Visit Malibu Creek State Park in Southern California

Malibu Creek State Park sits at 1925 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas, California, about four miles south of Highway 101 on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road. The entrance is just past Mulholland Highway.

The park charges a day-use parking fee, and the campground takes reservations. Hours vary by season, so check the official website before you go.

Go early on weekends, especially in summer, since the parking lot fills up fast and the Rock Pool trail gets crowded by mid-morning.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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