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Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
The park is located entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world's largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. The park provides excellent recreational opportunities for hikers as well as mountain bikers (restricted to fire roads) and equestrians.
The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations.
Notice on Dogs
Please note that dogs are not allowed on the park trails, fire roads, or in the back country.
Please note that dogs are not allowed on the park trails, fire roads, or in the back country.
Getting There
A good place to start a visit to Topanga State Park is Trippet Ranch, once a "gentleman's ranch" for a weekend getaway from the city.
From Pacific Coast Highway, travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office at the center of "town," then turn right on Entrada Road.
Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park's main parking lot (about one mile). From the Ventura Freeway (101), exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles to Entrada Road and turn left.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
A good place to start a visit to Topanga State Park is Trippet Ranch, once a "gentleman's ranch" for a weekend getaway from the city.
From Pacific Coast Highway, travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office at the center of "town," then turn right on Entrada Road.
Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park's main parking lot (about one mile). From the Ventura Freeway (101), exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles to Entrada Road and turn left.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open from 8am until dusk. Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis; contact the park directly for information.
Telephone: 310-455-2465
The park is open from 8am until dusk. Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis; contact the park directly for information.
Telephone: 310-455-2465
Park Trails
Many of the park's trails can be accessed from Trippet Ranch. The Musch Trail leads north to Musch Trail Camp by winding in and out of the sun and shade where plant assemblages change with every subtle difference in light and moisture.
Two miles from Trippet is Eagle Junction, where hikers encounter the Eagle Spring loop trail. Eagle Rock, one of the many boulder outcrops on the trail, looms over the terrain and provides panoramic views of the park. At the eastern end of the Eagle Spring loop, hikers will come to the Hub Junction and the Temescal Fire Road.
Going north, hikers travel through chaparral to unpaved Mulholland Drive, which traverses the park. South on Temescal Fire Road takes hikers high above the wild canyons with sycamore and oak riparian forests below. At Rogers Junction, hikers can opt for the Backbone Trail, a trail that winds through the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Historic park in the east to Point Mugu State Park in the west. Rustic Canyon can be seen from the Backbone Trail.
Another option from Trippet Ranch is to walk east to the Topanga Fire Road and then north for a short distance to the Santa Inez Trail. Descending into the Santa Inez Canyon, hikers can see crumbly sandstone formations containing pockets where moisture can collect, supporting numerous small plants that form tiny cliff gardens. Close to the bottom of the trail is a side trail leading to a lovely waterfall.
Many of the park's trails can be accessed from Trippet Ranch. The Musch Trail leads north to Musch Trail Camp by winding in and out of the sun and shade where plant assemblages change with every subtle difference in light and moisture.
Two miles from Trippet is Eagle Junction, where hikers encounter the Eagle Spring loop trail. Eagle Rock, one of the many boulder outcrops on the trail, looms over the terrain and provides panoramic views of the park. At the eastern end of the Eagle Spring loop, hikers will come to the Hub Junction and the Temescal Fire Road.
Going north, hikers travel through chaparral to unpaved Mulholland Drive, which traverses the park. South on Temescal Fire Road takes hikers high above the wild canyons with sycamore and oak riparian forests below. At Rogers Junction, hikers can opt for the Backbone Trail, a trail that winds through the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Historic park in the east to Point Mugu State Park in the west. Rustic Canyon can be seen from the Backbone Trail.
Another option from Trippet Ranch is to walk east to the Topanga Fire Road and then north for a short distance to the Santa Inez Trail. Descending into the Santa Inez Canyon, hikers can see crumbly sandstone formations containing pockets where moisture can collect, supporting numerous small plants that form tiny cliff gardens. Close to the bottom of the trail is a side trail leading to a lovely waterfall.
Accessible Features
Picnic Area: Trippet Ranch has generally accessible picnic sites with accessible tables and grills. Parking, restrooms and routes of travel are also accessible.
Nature Center: Most of the exhibits and cases are accessibly designed. A service road serves as the route of travel to the Nature Center.
Picnic Area: Trippet Ranch has generally accessible picnic sites with accessible tables and grills. Parking, restrooms and routes of travel are also accessible.
Nature Center: Most of the exhibits and cases are accessibly designed. A service road serves as the route of travel to the Nature Center.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Trippet Ranch to Eagle Rock and Temescal Peak
Fire Road Trails at Topanga State Park
Fire Road Trails at Topanga State Park
Moderate
10.3 mi
16.6 km
16.6 km
Guides
Fire Road Trails at Topanga State Park
Community Trips
Full write up at Modern Hiker.
This was the 2009 Xterra Topanga Turkey Trot Trail Run Race. It was my first trail run race and was a great course through scenic Topanga State Park. The race started at picturesque Trippet Ranch and then climbed on fire roads for nearly two miles past majestic Eagle Rock. After two miles of serious climbing, the race dropped down to the “lovely” single track of Garapido Trail for some truly hardcore trail...
Josh came out to visit LA and we decided to find the magical waterfall. We found a LOT of graffiti. And, not the good kind of graffiti (like art), the bad kind of graffiti (like my gang it going to kill your gang members).
Chang, Kim, and I did 6.5 miles from the lower dead horse parking area.Excitement: Saw a rattle snake.
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