○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
4.8 miRound Trip
300 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
2-3 hoursEst. Time
900 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Malibu Creek State Park to Rock Pool and MASH Site

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
64°F, Clear Sky. Wind 2 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
🌙
64°
Clear Sky
Feels 64°F
💨 Wind
2 mph ENE
Gusts to 2 mph
💧 Humidity
81%
High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:30 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:17 pm
Off trail by this
5-Day Forecast
🌙
Sat, Sep 5
Clear Sky
64°F
feels 64°
💨 Wind/Gust
4/2 E
💧 Humidity
81% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
1% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
☁️
Sun, Sep 6
Scattered Clouds
69°F
feels 68°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/3 N
💧 Humidity
49% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
44% Partly cloudy
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Mon, Sep 7
Clear Sky
67°F
feels 67°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/3 NNW
💧 Humidity
63% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Tue, Sep 8
Clear Sky
69°F
feels 68°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/2 N
💧 Humidity
32% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
2% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Wed, Sep 9
Overcast Clouds
74°F
feels 72°
💨 Wind/Gust
5/4 NE
💧 Humidity
30% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
100% Overcast
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Sep 4, 11:35 pm

A cultural and ecological centerpiece of the coastal range — rolling oak savannahs leading to the volcanic Rock Pool gorge and the iconic outdoor filming location of the M*A*S*H television series.

Trail Overview

Malibu Creek is one of the most interesting easy hikes in Southern California. The Rock Pool is a genuine volcanic gorge with cliff jumping, old army props from decades of film production, and one of the most beautiful valley settings in the range. The MASH site has original rusted vehicles from the production but the set itself burned in the 2018 Woolsey Fire. Dog-friendly throughout.

This Hike Is For You If…

Everyone. Families, beginners, dog owners, film location enthusiasts, nature photographers.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip if parking fees are a problem — the lot is $8 and there is no free alternative close by.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Wide flat fire road with gentle rolling terrain. No technical sections.

Shade: Partial

Water: Seasonal. Malibu Creek seasonal. Rock Pool year-round. Do not drink without filtering.

Views: Good

Crowds: One of most visited parks in the Santa Monicas. Weekday mornings best.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 8:30am on weekends to secure main lot parking.

This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

👞

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4.8 miRound Trip
300 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
2-3 hoursEst. Time
900 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Malibu Creek State Park, Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302
Parking: $8 parking fee at main lot. Fills by 9am on weekends. Overflow parking on Las Virgenes Road. Restrooms at trailhead.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 8:30am on weekends to secure main lot parking.

Trail Reality Check

Malibu Creek is one of the most interesting easy hikes in Southern California. The Rock Pool is a genuine volcanic gorge with cliff jumping, old army props from decades of film production, and one of the most beautiful valley settings in the range. The MASH site has original rusted vehicles from the production but the set itself burned in the 2018 Woolsey Fire. Dog-friendly throughout.

Terrain: Wide flat fire road with gentle rolling terrain. No technical sections.
Shade: Partial
Water: Seasonal — Malibu Creek seasonal. Rock Pool year-round. Do not drink without filtering.
Views: Good
Crowds: Very Busy — One of most visited parks in the Santa Monicas. Weekday mornings best.
Who should do this: Everyone. Families, beginners, dog owners, film location enthusiasts, nature photographers.
Who should skip this: Skip if parking fees are a problem — the lot is $8 and there is no free alternative close by.