Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Solstice Canyon Trail
- Nearby city
- Calabasas, CA
Explore this park
About Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultural sites, from old movie ranches to Native American centers. What will you and your family discover?
1 current NPS alert
- Danger: Park Closures due to Red Flag Warning on Saturday, November 7
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area page on nps.gov
Weather Information
- Summer
are hot and dry while winters are cool and wet.
Operating Hours
Park Sites
The park sites are open year-round. Our parking lots are open from 8 am to sunset.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Common questions
Planning Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
