Plan Your Visit - Malibu Creek State Park

Seasonal Trail Closure: The temporary bridge on the Crags Road trail, past Century Lake and leading to the M*A*S*H site, will be removed annually if a rain event of 0.5 inches within 24 hours is forecast or November 30th, whichever is earliest. The temporary bridge will be installed in the Spring as early as April 1st after a review of creek conditions. Please exercise caution and respect trail closures when hiking in the backcountry along Malibu Creek.

LOCATION AND HOURS

The main entrance of the park with most hiking trails, attractions, and campgrounds is located four miles south of Highway 101 on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road. The most common place to park is the Main Trailhead Parking Lot, sometimes referred to as the Lower Parking Lot.

Gates are open 8am-10pm.

1925 Las Virgenes Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302
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PARKING

Parking Fees

All day – $12.00 per car, per day
3 hrs – $9.00 per car
2 hrs – $6.00 per car
1 hr – $3.00 per car
Large Bus- $125 per bus
Small Bus- $50 per bus

Two parking lots are located in the Park. The first lot accommodates picnickers and other visitors planning to stay in the immediate parking area, as well as Park staff. Tables, benches, barbecue pits, and restrooms are available. The second parking lot (lower lot) is closer to the trails accessing the Park and is normally used by visitors who plan to hike. When there is no one at the entrance kiosk, the honor system is employed through a self-pay system. There are several other parking areas located at Tapia Park, upper end of Corral Canyon Road (temporarily closed as of 2024), and Reagan Ranch. These separate parking areas may be subject to temporary closures, check the state park website for timely alerts.

ACCESSIBILITY

There are several accessible parking spaces, restrooms, and camp sites, as well as some accessible trails.

The Ann Skager Trail is an ‘out-and-back’ accessible trail that is 0.58 miles each way with views of Las Virgenes Creek, Stokes Canyon, and surrounding mountains. The surface is asphalt and compacted aggregate. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections between 5% to 8%. Accessible picnic areas and interpretive panels are located at various locations along the trail. The trailhead is accessed from the lower/main trailhead parking lot. Accessible parking and restrooms are nearby.

Picnic Area

Both picnic areas have accessible picnic sites including water and barbecues. Accessible restrooms are located adjacent to the picnic sites.

Camping

Four campsites are accessible (#12, #30, #44, and #54). Restrooms are generally accessible with adjacent accessible parking. Shower facilities are usable.

The campfire center is accessible and is on an accessible route leading from the campground.

DOGS

Dogs are allowed only in the campground, day-use picnic areas, parking lots and paved park roads.

Dogs are not allowed on park dirt roads or hiking trails. This means dogs are not allowed at most of the frequently visited park areas, such as the Rock Pool, Century Lake, and M*A*S*H site, and all the trails to those locations.

Trained Service Animals are allowed in all areas open to the public. Misrepresenting a dog as a service animal is fraud, punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

The park’s trails have something for everyone – from novices to those looking for real challenges. The easy routes wind through the valleys and the challenging tails climb the walls of those valleys.

EASY

Crags Road / High Road Loop from the parking lot , it’s 1.5 miles of wide flat terrain along Crags / High Road. Take a left at the “T” over the bridge and circle back on the Low Road.

Mott Road A perfect, short out and back trail for beginner mountain bikers or family hikes with young children. 2 miles R/T from parking lot.

MODERATE

Crags Road to M*A*S*H set A rocky creek bed with large boulders makes the going more interesting. It’s the short but solid uphill climb (approx. 6 mins) that bumps this from “Easy” to “Moderate”

Crags Road to Forest Trail Same trail as above except take a left after the small bridge to Forest Trail where you’ll walk among real redwoods planted around 1910. Dead-ends at Century Dam.

Grasslands Trail Beautiful hike through rolling hills covered in tall grass

Yearling Trail On the old Reagan Ranch – runs through the grass near the edge of a wooded area. It’s popular with equestrians and is a little horse-rutted.

STRENUOUS

Bulldog Road It’s a long steep grind and this trail is not for the faint of heart! 1,700 feet of elevation gain over 3.4 miles, but you rewarded with terrific views of the park and the ocean at the top. For those who want a taste of Bulldog but might not be up to the whole climb, they can do what we call Little Bulldog Loop which at just over 3 miles roundtrip takes you into the Malibou Lake community then back into the park. The Big Bulldog Loop is 15 miles from the main parking lot, down through Tapia Park, up the Mesa Peak Motorway across the top and down Bulldog into the park.

Mesa Peak Motorway a dramatic 2.5 mile climb along the wall of Malibu Canyon

Both of these routes provide access to the holy grail of trails in the Santa Monica Mountains – the 67-mile long Backbone Trail.

Biking

Malibu Creek is a great place for serious mountain bikers because of the plentiful steep terrain – especially Bulldog Road and Mesa Peak Motorway (where there are fewer hikers). Beginners can have fun along Crags Road – the main hiking trail through the park. Those seeking additional challenge on two wheels can take on the dry creek bed between Century Lake and the M*A*S*H set. The following restrictions apply to bicyclists at all times:

Some trails do not allow bicycles, please look carefully for postings at trail intersections
Control speed at all times; hikers and equestrians have the right of way
Reduce environmental impact as much as possible

Rock Climbing

Lots of great climbs from 5.8 to 5.10c are found around the Rock Pool. The easiest to reach is the Planet of the Apes Wall – so named because scenes from the “Apes” films were filmed on and around it. “Apes” is almost all overhanging routes. There are another ten routes over at the Rock Pool; some overhang the water. There is fun bouldering there too.

Horseback Riding

Most trails in the Park are open to equestrians. Please adhere to the following guidelines when horseback riding:

Communicate & let others know if your horse is safe to pass
Travel at a safe speed, especially when visibility is limited
Stay on the trail and never take a short cut
During wet weather, it is best to avoid using the trails and ride only on fire roads, and only if they are reasonable dry
Do not take horses on Ann Skager Trail

Birdwatching

The San Fernando Valley Audubon Society sponsors bird walks for beginning and intermediate birders the third Sunday of each month at 8 AM starting in the day-use parking area of Malibu Creek State Park. Walks are conducted at a leisurely pace through the oak woodland and riparian forest before heading through more open, grassland habitat toward the visitor’s center. Depending on the season and conditions, 35 to 45 species may be seen. Participants are free to come and go as their schedules and interest permit. Walks usually conclude between 11:30 AM and noon and are cancelled in the event of rain. For more information: www.sfvaudubon.org

Fishing

A valid California fishing license is required at all times. Please adhere to the following guidelines when fishing:

Children under the age of 16 do not need a license
No more than one closely attended pole per fisherman is allowed
Bass must be a minimum of 12 inches with a limit of five
There is no limit on bluegill, green sunfish or bullhead catfish
Crayfish may be taken by hand or line with no limit
Steelhead rainbow trout inhabit the estuary and creek below the Rindge dam. There is no fishing allowed below the Rindge dam

Docent Led Programs

The Malibu Creek Docents offer a variety of programs from the Jr. Rangers Program to Welcome Walks for the public. Check out our Programs page to see what’s coming up.

VISITOR CENTER

Open Saturday and Sunday, 12:00pm to 4:00pm
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The MCSP Visitor Center (VC) is a historic building and is over 100 years old. A one mile walk from the lower parking lot will take you to the VC. It is not possible to drive directly to the VC.

Malibu Creek Docents operate the VC. Here you will see a museum representative of the Park’s natural and human history: animals and tracks, birds, rocks and fossils, pictures of flowers, a model Chumash village display and artifacts, and movie history. There is a Children’s Nature Room with activities for children of all ages. Maps, books, drinks, apparel and souvenirs are for sale.

CAMPING

The Park offers two camping areas, one for group camping, the other for family camping. The group campground has facilities for overnight camping, including restrooms, showers, tables, benches, and barbeque grills. The family campground consists of 62 tent campsites, flush toilets, heated showers, and four RV campsites. Every campsite contains a fire pit and picnic table but no hookups. Maximum trailer or camper / motorhome length is 30 feet.

Campground Firewood – HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PESTS & DISEASES – Our park is threatened by nonnative insects and diseases that can kill large numbers of trees. Invasive Shot-Hole Borer (ISHB) beetle, Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) beetle, Sudden Oak Death, pitch canker, Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle can be transported long distances in firewood. Once transported into new areas, these insects and diseases can become established and kill local trees. Use firewood and Java Logs that are available at the Campground site #8. Burn all firewood / Logs before leaving your campsite if leaving the local area.

Reserve through reservecalifornia.com

SAFETY

SWIMMING Diving at the Rock Pool is Against State Law.  DANGER: Shallow Water and Submerged Rocks.

FIRE is a constant danger, especially in summer and fall. Smoking and all fires are prohibited outside of the parking area, picnic area and campground.

Firewood policy: Firewood is only allowed to be burned in fire rings in the campground on LOW (Green) level Fire Safety Day(s). Burning fire logs (Duraflame log / Java logs) and charcoal briquettes in the fire rings is allowed when fire level is at Medium (Yellow) and weather permits. On a HIGH (Red) level wood, fire logs, or briquettes are NOT allowed to be burned. Check the sign near the campground entrance to see the day’s fire level. Leave firewood at home -do not transport it to campgrounds or park.

SUN Even on short visits, please protect yourself. Wear sunscreen or long, lightweight clothing. A wide brimmed hat creates shade wherever you are!

WATER Especially for active park users, carrying water or sports drinks is important for staying hydrated, comfortable and energized. One quart per person for short walks, more for longer hikes.

POISON OAK can be identified by its clusters of three shiny green or red leaflets. The best way to avoid it is to stay on the trail.

SNAKES seen mostly in spring and summer months, they are a vital part of our native ecosystem. The only venomous snake species in the park is the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are native to the Park and are protected by law. They normally strike only when disturbed or surprised. The best way to avoid them is to stay on the trail and be alert for the occasional one that maybe crossing your path. Look before putting your hands and feet behind rocks and debris. If you come across a snake, slowly walk around and away from it.

TICKS are plentiful. Some of them carry diseases. Learn to recognize ticks and check your clothing and exposed skin after hiking.

FILMING

Commercial Filming & Photography

Commercial filming and photography at Malibu Creek State Park requires a permit. For additional information please contact Melony Light at (818) 880-0358.

Drones

Use of drones is not allowed at Malibu Creek State Park. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff; No person shall launch, land or operate a drone within any part of Malibu Creek State Park, without obtaining prior approval from The District Superintendent, or his designee.

CONTACT

State Park (310) 457-8144

Malibu Creek Docents contact@malibucreekstatepark.org
P.O. Box 8998 Calabasas, CA. 91372