○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
8.6 miRound Trip
600 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
4-5 hoursEst. Time
1,100 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Serrano Canyon Trail

๐ŸŒค Trail Weather โ€” Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs ยท Trailhead coords
โœ…
Good Conditions โ€” Solid Day to Hike
62ยฐF, Clear Sky. Wind 5 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
โ˜€๏ธ
62ยฐ
Clear Sky
Feels 61ยฐF
๐Ÿ’จ Wind
5 mph N
Gusts to 7 mph
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
60%
Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise
6:59 am
Ideal start time
๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset
6:24 pm
Off trail by this
Today โ€” 3-Hour Intervals
11 am
โ˜€๏ธ
62ยฐ
Feels 61ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 4/12
2 pm
โ˜€๏ธ
67ยฐ
Feels 65ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 8/19
5 pm
โ˜€๏ธ
68ยฐ
Feels 67ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 10/20
8 pm
๐ŸŒ™
59ยฐ
Feels 59ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 2/6
11 pm
๐ŸŒ™
56ยฐ
Feels 54ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 5/10
5-Day Forecast
โ˜€๏ธ
Today
Clear Sky
62ยฐF
feels 61ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
4/12 S
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
56% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Wed, Oct 14
Clear Sky
54ยฐF
feels 52ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
6/12 ENE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
45% Comfortable
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Thu, Oct 15
Clear Sky
66ยฐF
feels 64ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
9/18 NE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
24% Dry โ€” drink before thirsty
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Fri, Oct 16
Clear Sky
76ยฐF
feels 74ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
18/35 NE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
21% Dry โ€” drink before thirsty
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐Ÿ’จ High Wind โ€” Avoid Exposed Ridges
๐ŸŒ™
Sat, Oct 17
Clear Sky
77ยฐF
feels 76ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
15/29 NE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
28% Dry โ€” drink before thirsty
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 13, 9:26 am

A quiet backcountry escape from the Sycamore Canyon floor, squeezing through a narrow oak-choked rocky gorge that feels completely removed from the coast. Dense canopy, dramatic narrows, and outstanding wildlife viewing.

Trail Overview

Serrano Canyon is the best kept secret in Point Mugu State Park. Most visitors stay on the main fire road. Walk past it and into Serrano and the canyon narrows, the sycamores close overhead, and you are in genuine backcountry terrain despite being a mile from PCH. The canyon narrows require some easy boulder hopping. Deer, coyote, and raptors are regularly sighted.

This Hike Is For You If…

Intermediate hikers who want solitude and natural canyon character. Wildlife watchers. Anyone who has done Sycamore Canyon and wants to go deeper.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip if the $10 day use fee is prohibitive.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Wide fire road to canyon junction then narrow singletrack. Some boulder hopping in the narrows.

Shade: Mostly Shaded

Water: Seasonal. Serrano Creek seasonal. May require crossings.

Views: Good

Crowds: Very few hikers venture into Serrano Canyon. Often completely alone.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Morning is ideal. This canyon is shaded and comfortable most of the day.


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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8.6 miRound Trip
600 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
4-5 hoursEst. Time
1100 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Sycamore Canyon Campground, Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Parking: $10 day use fee at Sycamore Canyon. Restrooms at campground. Trail begins from campground interior.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: None
Best Arrival: Morning is ideal. This canyon is shaded and comfortable most of the day.

Trail Reality Check

Serrano Canyon is the best kept secret in Point Mugu State Park. Most visitors stay on the main fire road. Walk past it and into Serrano and the canyon narrows, the sycamores close overhead, and you are in genuine backcountry terrain despite being a mile from PCH. The canyon narrows require some easy boulder hopping. Deer, coyote, and raptors are regularly sighted.

Terrain: Wide fire road to canyon junction then narrow singletrack. Some boulder hopping in the narrows.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Seasonal โ€” Serrano Creek seasonal. May require crossings.
Views: Good
Crowds: Quiet โ€” Very few hikers venture into Serrano Canyon. Often completely alone.
Who should do this: Intermediate hikers who want solitude and natural canyon character. Wildlife watchers. Anyone who has done Sycamore Canyon and wants to go deeper.
Who should skip this: Skip if the $10 day use fee is prohibitive.