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This historic park, located in Los Angeles County where the Simi Hills meet the Santa Susana Mountains, is rich in natural, historical and cultural significance. Here in the western part of the Transverse Ranges, the land is dominated by high, narrow ridges and deep canyons covered with an abundant variety of plant life. The park offers panoramic views of the rugged natural landscape as a striking contrast to the developed communities nearby.
Getting There
The best access to the park is via Chatsworth Park South (Los Angeles City Community Park). Take the 118 Freeway to the Topanga Canyon Boulevard exit. Proceed south on Topanga Boulevard approximately one mile. Turn right (west) on Devonshire, proceed half a mile, and enter Chatsworth Park South, where there is free parking. The hills surrounding the community park are the parklands for Santa Susana Pass State Park, which is a day-use area.
The best access to the park is via Chatsworth Park South (Los Angeles City Community Park). Take the 118 Freeway to the Topanga Canyon Boulevard exit. Proceed south on Topanga Boulevard approximately one mile. Turn right (west) on Devonshire, proceed half a mile, and enter Chatsworth Park South, where there is free parking. The hills surrounding the community park are the parklands for Santa Susana Pass State Park, which is a day-use area.
Seasons/Climate
May through November is usually dry. Cold, wet winters can send torrents of water over the bedrock. Rarely, heavy rains can cause flash floods in arid canyons.
May through November is usually dry. Cold, wet winters can send torrents of water over the bedrock. Rarely, heavy rains can cause flash floods in arid canyons.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open daily, 8am to sunset. For your safety and that of the park community, please observe these access hours.
Telephone: 310-455-2465
The park is open daily, 8am to sunset. For your safety and that of the park community, please observe these access hours.
Telephone: 310-455-2465
Activities
Hike, mountain bike or ride horses on the marked multi-use trails. Bicycles must yield to horses and hikers. Horses are not allowed on bike/hike trails. The interpretive trails in the historic area are restricted to hiking and foot traffic only. Dogs are not allowed on any trails.
Hike, mountain bike or ride horses on the marked multi-use trails. Bicycles must yield to horses and hikers. Horses are not allowed on bike/hike trails. The interpretive trails in the historic area are restricted to hiking and foot traffic only. Dogs are not allowed on any trails.
Hiking Tips
Until trails are established and marked by California State Parks, please help us preserve the unique natural and cultural features of Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park and observe the following:
Hike only on safe pathways. Veering onto untrodden areas destroys the natural environment and increases your chances of coming into contact with poison oak, rattlesnakes and ticks.
Everything, from the barest twig to the rustiest horseshoe, is now a part of this California State Park. If you see anything suspicious, including the removal or disturbance of our precious resources, please report it immediately.
Know your physical limits. Summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees and the terrain is rugged. Always carry plenty of water.
Don't hike alone. Use the "buddy" system. Tell a friend or family member of your plans. Let them know when you plan to return.
Until trails are established and marked by California State Parks, please help us preserve the unique natural and cultural features of Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park and observe the following:
Hike only on safe pathways. Veering onto untrodden areas destroys the natural environment and increases your chances of coming into contact with poison oak, rattlesnakes and ticks.
Everything, from the barest twig to the rustiest horseshoe, is now a part of this California State Park. If you see anything suspicious, including the removal or disturbance of our precious resources, please report it immediately.
Know your physical limits. Summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees and the terrain is rugged. Always carry plenty of water.
Don't hike alone. Use the "buddy" system. Tell a friend or family member of your plans. Let them know when you plan to return.
Natural History
Panoramic views of the wild landscape provide striking contrast to the developed communities nearby. The western part of the Transverse Ranges is dominated by high, narrow ridges and deep canyons covered with a variety of plant life. In winter, heavy rainfall sometimes causes two of the park’s intermittent streams to overflow.
Geology: The soil ranges from nearly five million-year-old sandstone bedrock to forms of clay, shale and crushed sandstone.
Plant Life: Sandstone rock outcrops shelter the rare Santa Susana tarplant, while the moister slopes support denser vegetation. Typical shrubs in the canyons include coastal sagebrush, buckwheat, laurel sumac and chamise. Riparian species such as willow and Mexican elderberry grow well. In larger riparian channels, coast live oak, California walnut and sycamore create a dense canopy. Spring rains produce tiger lilies, maroon monkey flowers and wild lilacs.
Wildlife: Birds, reptiles and mammals take advantage of the park’s diverse plant communities, available groundwater and unusual geologic features. The terrain is part of an important wildlife corridor connecting the San Gabriel, Santa Susana and Santa Monica mountain ranges. Mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes and ringtails are often seen here.
Panoramic views of the wild landscape provide striking contrast to the developed communities nearby. The western part of the Transverse Ranges is dominated by high, narrow ridges and deep canyons covered with a variety of plant life. In winter, heavy rainfall sometimes causes two of the park’s intermittent streams to overflow.
Geology: The soil ranges from nearly five million-year-old sandstone bedrock to forms of clay, shale and crushed sandstone.
Plant Life: Sandstone rock outcrops shelter the rare Santa Susana tarplant, while the moister slopes support denser vegetation. Typical shrubs in the canyons include coastal sagebrush, buckwheat, laurel sumac and chamise. Riparian species such as willow and Mexican elderberry grow well. In larger riparian channels, coast live oak, California walnut and sycamore create a dense canopy. Spring rains produce tiger lilies, maroon monkey flowers and wild lilacs.
Wildlife: Birds, reptiles and mammals take advantage of the park’s diverse plant communities, available groundwater and unusual geologic features. The terrain is part of an important wildlife corridor connecting the San Gabriel, Santa Susana and Santa Monica mountain ranges. Mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes and ringtails are often seen here.
Park History
California Indians
Three native groups lived here before European contact - Chumash to the west, Tongva to the east, and to the north, a group called Tataviam. The steep road through the Santa Susana Mountains was originally a trail created by the travels of game animals, and used by the native people to track and hunt them. Spanish colonists used the trail for horses, carretas (ox carts) and herding livestock. The arrival of Europeans brought diseases to which the Indians had no resistance. Many Chumash, Tongva and Tataviam people died from smallpox, measles and other diseases. Today, descendants of these local native groups still live in the area and have revived many of their ancient traditions.
Santa Susana Pass
Between 1850 and 1861, Indian laborers widened the trail over the pass to accommodate stagecoaches and flat-bottomed mud wagons. The high wheels of these lighter, less-expensive versions of traditional stagecoaches kept the wagon high above the muddy roads.
The trail’s precipitous drop earned it the name “Devil’s Slide.” Drivers employed various strategies to keep from losing control of the stagecoach. Often during the descent, drivers asked passengers to get out and walk, or to carry rocks with which to block the wheels. Mules and horses were blindfolded and coaxed to descend the pass. At times the iron rims of the locked coach wheels sparked against the sandstone. One passenger described seeing a “streak of fire” caused by the wagons’ brake shoes rubbing against the iron wheel rims.
The Santa Susana Stage Road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Spahn Ranch
The park’s sandstone bedrock gives a wide-open “badlands” look, used as the background for many western films and television programs. The 500-acre Spahn Ranch, located within the park’s northern boundary, was one of several “movie ranches” in the area. Between the late 1940s and the late 1960s, dozens of films and television shows, including The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Bonanza episodes, were filmed here. In 1970, a wildfire destroyed all of the buildings associated with the former Spahn movie ranch.
California Indians
Three native groups lived here before European contact - Chumash to the west, Tongva to the east, and to the north, a group called Tataviam. The steep road through the Santa Susana Mountains was originally a trail created by the travels of game animals, and used by the native people to track and hunt them. Spanish colonists used the trail for horses, carretas (ox carts) and herding livestock. The arrival of Europeans brought diseases to which the Indians had no resistance. Many Chumash, Tongva and Tataviam people died from smallpox, measles and other diseases. Today, descendants of these local native groups still live in the area and have revived many of their ancient traditions.
Santa Susana Pass
Between 1850 and 1861, Indian laborers widened the trail over the pass to accommodate stagecoaches and flat-bottomed mud wagons. The high wheels of these lighter, less-expensive versions of traditional stagecoaches kept the wagon high above the muddy roads.
The trail’s precipitous drop earned it the name “Devil’s Slide.” Drivers employed various strategies to keep from losing control of the stagecoach. Often during the descent, drivers asked passengers to get out and walk, or to carry rocks with which to block the wheels. Mules and horses were blindfolded and coaxed to descend the pass. At times the iron rims of the locked coach wheels sparked against the sandstone. One passenger described seeing a “streak of fire” caused by the wagons’ brake shoes rubbing against the iron wheel rims.
The Santa Susana Stage Road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Spahn Ranch
The park’s sandstone bedrock gives a wide-open “badlands” look, used as the background for many western films and television programs. The 500-acre Spahn Ranch, located within the park’s northern boundary, was one of several “movie ranches” in the area. Between the late 1940s and the late 1960s, dozens of films and television shows, including The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Bonanza episodes, were filmed here. In 1970, a wildfire destroyed all of the buildings associated with the former Spahn movie ranch.
Accessible Features
Disclaimer
We are working to improve accessibility throughout our parks but we regret that there are currently no (wheelchair) accessible activities at this park. This may be an undeveloped park, or there may be terrain, historic or resource protection issues or other limiting factors. However, there may be some wheelchair accessible features, such as parking areas, restrooms, and routes of travel, that meet some of the current accessibility guidelines. Call the park or email us at access@parks.ca.gov for details.
Disclaimer
We are working to improve accessibility throughout our parks but we regret that there are currently no (wheelchair) accessible activities at this park. This may be an undeveloped park, or there may be terrain, historic or resource protection issues or other limiting factors. However, there may be some wheelchair accessible features, such as parking areas, restrooms, and routes of travel, that meet some of the current accessibility guidelines. Call the park or email us at access@parks.ca.gov for details.
Community Trips
Santa Susana Stage Trail starting at Rocky Peak
Chatsworth Lake Manor, California, United States
2.2 miles
2.2 miles
Started at the Rocky Peak overpass. Walked down the Santa Susana stage trail to the trail head down in the residential area. It was a fine clear day and there were some very nice views of the city below. It is hard to imagine riding a stage coach over such a steep trail, but I guess that is all there was before they blasted the highway through the pass to Simi Valley....
The well known Manson Family Picture was taken in a small alcove in the creek bed that bends around the south end of the old Spahn Ranch property. The alcove appears smaller now as creek sediment has raised the floor several inches over the years. When walking east along the creek bed the alcove is on the left. It's very easy to walk right passed it and not notice it. There is poison oak...
