M*A*S*H at Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is proud to be home to the outdoor set of television's legendary program M*A*S*H. The site still draws visitors from all over the world decades after the show left the air.

The park is the former location ranch of 20th Century Fox studios who owned the land between 1946 and 1974. They shot many films and television programs here including M*A*S*H between 1972 – 1983.

 

M*A*S*H, a deft blend of drama and comedy, was just enough to take the minds of millions of Americans off of what was really happening on the other side of the Pacific during the Vietnam War era. M*A*S*H grew to become a landmark television series that garnered over 100 Emmy nominations during its eleven season, 251 episode run.

 

Shooting M*A*S*H on location was much like a real M.A.S.H. unit would operate. Electricity was sourced from powerful generators, water came from tanker trucks and bathroom facilities weren’t much more than porta-potties such as those commonly found at construction sites (although they were definately a step up from the latrines on the show). On a M*A*S*H 30th Anniversary special that aired in 2002, Alan Alda (“Hawkeye”) observed that shooting at the Fox Ranch added to the realism of a show set amongst daily hardship and making do in minimal conditions.

 

The filming location is a popular hiking destination. It is a roughly 5 mile round trip hike from the main parking lot trailhead. Most of the route is flat, but there is one somewhat significant hill in the middle of the route.

 

Google Maps Directions to M*A*S*H Site

Download a PDF map to the M*A*S*H Site

50th ANNIVERSARY

On September 17, 2022, the M*A*S*H Matters podcast hosted a public gathering at the old set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program’s debut, five decades to the day after it first aired on CBS. Fans flew in from all over the country to be there. One fan made a special trip from England to attend. Jeff and Ryan from M*A*S*H Matters interviewed fans in attendance who expressed their deep emotional connection to the show for a wonderful episode of the podcast that aired ten days later, listen here.

 

The Smithsonian Institution honored the 50th anniversary in their magazine, read the article here.

 

2007 RESTORATION

Over the years, nature began to reclaim the famous set. An ambulance left behind by the studio became so shrouded in wild bush that it could not be seen by visitors standing just by a few feet away.

 

Recognizing that M*A*S*H is still beloved worldwide and that visitors come from from all over America, Europe and Asia to see the set, in 2007, State Parks officials authorized an environmentally sensitive, partial restoration of the set that cleared some of the overgrowth and made it easier to see where tents and buildings were placed during the show. The vehicle road to the helipad was restored and is now the shortest hiking trail in the park.

 

Now on display are a recreation of the iconic signpost, and informational panels with photographs from the show.

2008 CELEBRATION

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the final episode (“Goodbye, Farewell & Amen”), on February 23, 2008, hundreds of MASH fans gathered at the old set and were joined by special guests Mike Farrell (“BJ Hunnicut”), Loretta Swit (Hotlips Houlihan), William Christopher (Fr. Mulcahy), Jeff Maxwell (Igor the Chef), prolific M*A*S*H director Charles Dubin and producers Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe.

 

It was the first time that the cast members had been back to the old set since the show ended. They had a great time and the fans loved seeing them there again.Vintage military vehicles and re-enactors were on hand to dress up the event and a great time was had by all.