Trails you might explore on your own
Topanga State Park is big – it covers 25 square miles and features 36 miles of trails traversing through open grassland, canyons, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. In fact, it is known as the largest wildland park within the boundaries of a major city (Los Angeles). The main entrance is at Trippet Ranch, but you can also get to it’s trailheads from three neighborhoods: Encino in the north, Topanga on the west, and Pacific Palisades on the south. Interesting geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations.
Please be properly prepared and know the risks before going into an unfamiliar wilderness area. Many trails do not have restrooms or drinking water. An excellent map of Topanga State Park and it’s trails is published by Tom Harrison Maps, and it can usually be found at Adventure 16, REI, or the National Park Service bookstore in the Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch. It can also be ordered online at http://www.tomharrisonmaps.com, Amazon or also in a pdf version for iphone, iPad or Android at http://www.pdf-maps.com/maps/ . You might also enjoy the guidebook, Hiking in Topanga State Park, written by the late Milt McAuley.
Please note that dogs are not allowed on the park trails, fire roads, or in the back country.Mountain biking are restricted to fire road.
Topanga State Park recently went through a General Plan review process which included a series of public meetings and opportunity for comment. In September 2012, the State Park and Recreation Commission approved the TSP General Plan and establishment of a 158-acre Cultural Preserve. Links to the Planning Documents which describe in detail the overall long-range direction and vision for the future management and development of Topanga State Park can be found at: http://www.parks.ca.gov
| Topanga Canyon entrances | |||
| From Trippet Ranch parking lot | |||
| Dead Horse/Backbone Trail | 1.1 easy miles | ||
| Eagle Rock Loop | 6.5 moderate miles round trip | ||
| Musch Trail/Backbone Trail | 2 easy miles | ||
| Parker Mesa Overlook | 8 moderate miles round trip | ||
| Santa Ynez Canyon Trail | 6 miles round trip | ||
| From Old Topanga Canyon Road | |||
| Hondo Canyon/Backbone Trail | 3.3 miles | ||
| Encino entrances | |||
| From Reseda Boulevard | |||
| Caballero Canyon Trail | 1.4 moderate miles | ||
| Garapito Canyon Trail | 3.6 moderate miles | ||
| Temescal Peak via Fire Road 30 | 6 moderate miles round trip | ||
| Pacific Palisades entrances | |||
| From Will Rogers State Historic Park | |||
| Rivas Canyon Trail to TGP | 2.1 miles | ||
| Rogers Road/Backbone Trail | 5.3 moderate miles one way | ||
| Rustic Canyon Trail | 4.6 moderate miles round trip | ||
| From Temescal Gateway Park | |||
| Rivas Canyon Trail to WRSHP | 2.1 miles | ||
| Santa Ynez Falls | 2.6 easy miles round trip | ||
| Temescal Canyon Trail | 1.5 miles | ||
| Temescal Ridge to Skull Rock | 5.2 moderate miles | ||
| From Via Las Palmas & Palisades Drive | |||
| Temescal Ridge south to TGP | 2.6 miles | ||
| Temescal Ridge north to Temescal Peak | 2.9 easy miles | ||
| From Vereda de La Montura & Palisades Drive | |||
| Santa Ynez Canyon to Trippet Ranch | 2.2 moderate miles | ||
| Santa Ynez Canyon to waterfall | 1.3 easy miles | ||
| Parker Mesa Overlook | 8 moderate miles round trip | ||
| From Paseo Miramar | |||
| East Topanga Fire Rd to Parker Mesa | 2.6 miles | ||
| East Topanga Fire Rd to Trippet Ranch | 4.8 miles | ||
| From Los Leones Drive | |||
| Los Liones Canyon to E Topanga FR | 2.6 moderate miles round trip | ||
Musch Meadow Trail