Malibu Creek State Park

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers

Discovering Mesa Peak and Hollywood relics at Malibu Creek State Park

Discovering Mesa Peak and Hollywood relics at Malibu Creek State Park

Discovering Mesa Peak and Hollywood relics at Malibu Creek State Park

Discovering Mesa Peak and Hollywood relics at Malibu Creek State Park

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Last updated
July 31, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Families and new campers

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at Creek Campground

Drive · 30 minutes from LA

Ideal dates · March to May

Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on trails

Malibu Creek State Park (MBSP) has been called the "Yosemite of Southern California," and this 8,200+ acre park delivers. It's known for its volcanic rock gorges, Sepúlveda Adobe, a 19th-century ranch house, and Malibu Creek that flows through the park. It also has 35 miles of hiking trails, three natural preserves, and is part of the greater Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which is the nation's largest urban national park. Quite a few highlights for a park that's only a 30-minute drive from downtown LA.  

Official State Park Website

Camping Information

Directions to Campground

Main image credit: N/A

Stuff to know

  • Bears don't hang out at Malibu Creek, but be mindful of critters. Store any food in your car overnight and whenever you leave camp
  • There are seasonal campfire restrictions so check with the camp host when you arrive to see if you can build a campfire.
  • If you're just visiting for the day, here's a rundown of parking fees: All day – $12.00 per car, 3 hrs – $9.00 per car, 2 hrs – $6.00 per car, 1 hr – $3.00 per car.
  • Snakes have been spotted in the park, especially around springtime. Stay on trails, and if you see one, slowly walk around, and away from it.
Check the weather
Mesa Peak Trail in Malibu Creek State Park

Where to camp

Creek Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • Fire ring
  • Space for up to 8 people
  • Three parking spots
  • Drinking water (on site)
  • Showers (coin operated)
  • Flush toilets (on site)

This is the only campground at Malibu Creek SP and it's packed with plenty of creature comforts while only being a 10-minute drive to a grocery store. Sites are available by reservation, and you'll have access to drinking water, restrooms, and coin-operated hot showers (Bring $1 bills!).

Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: Before noon

View Campground Map

Nightly Rate: $45

Creek Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

Malibu Creek State Park. Credit: Trailspotting

Leave LA by 11 AM and stop by Erewhon Market in Calabasas

  • Shoppers love their fresh-pressed juices, prepared meals, and organic produce
  • Located at 26767 Agoura Road in Calabasas
  • Open Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 9 PM · Sundays at 8 AM
  • Last pit stop · Shell - 4831 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas

Arrive and check in to Creek Campground

  • Set up camp, wander around the campground and relax

Take a hike around Century Lake on the Forest and Cage Creek Trails

  • This easy 3 mile loop takes you around Century Lake where you can view filming spots for the Planet of the Apes along the lakeside.

Return to camp for din-din

  • Prep and enjoy dinner back at camp
  • Stargaze and swap some of your favorite campfire stories
Malibu Creek SP was established in 1974 and the majority of the park's lands were donated by entertainer Bob Hope.

Day Two

Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park

Make breakfast and get ready for the day

  • Fill up on water (at least 2L per person), pack snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, bug spray, and your lunch!
  • Hike 4.2 miles with 1,251 feet of elevation gain from camp to Mesa Peak
  • From camp, take Tapia Spur Trail to Mesa Peak Trail. It's a tough, steep hike, but enjoy some spectacular views of LA's coastline

Enjoy a morning hike to Rock Pool via Crags Road Loop

  • This easy 2.1 mile loop takes you along Malibu Creek out to Rock Pool. You can expect shaded parts and some nice vistas along the trail.

Have lunch back at camp

Take an easy afternoon stroll on the Anne Skager Trail

  • This 0.8 mile out and back trail is easy and accessible
  • You’ll get to wander past desert landscapes and near Stokes Creek for an enjoyable and easy afternoon hike.

Head back to camp, take a hot shower, and cook a sunset dinner

  • Cook up your last dinner at Malibu Creek SP and spend the rest of the evening stargazing
For thousands of years, the Chumash people lived in the Santa Monica Mountains, until missionaries arrived in 1769

Day Three

Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park

Pack up and check out before noon

  • Cook up brekkie, clean up around camp, and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

The original Planet of the Apes movie, M*A*S*H TV show and many other Hollywood productions have been filmed in the park
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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Bezzi's Pick
$399.95

NEMO 4-person Aurora Highrise Tent

This colorful tent can fit 4 to 6 people, and is easy to set up and pack out!

Bezzi's Pick
$249.95

NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair

Lean back, and we mean all the way back, in this luxurious camp chair. You'll never want to sit up.

Bezzi's Pick
$249.95

NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Mattress

These are the cushiest sleeping pads we've tried! They come in Extra Wide and Double (for extra cuddles).

Bezzi's Pick
$99.95

Big Mo Toddler Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag that's designed for toddlers from ages 18-36 months.

Bezzi's Pick
$139.95

Big Mo 20° Down Kids Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag designed for kiddos age 2-4 years old

Bezzi's Pick
$42

First Peak All-Season Sweatshirt

A cozy sweatshirt for ages 6 months to 4T designed for outdoor exploration.

Bezzi's Pick
$38

First Peak Flannel

A durable and soft flannel shirt that's kid-sized from 6 months to 4T

Bezzi's Pick
$59.95

NEMO Fillo Luxury Camping Pillow

Bring your own or splurge on this pillow that's designed for outdoor fun.

Bezzi's Pick
$100

GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station

Picnic tables don't always cut it for cooking outside. This one is easy to use and has plenty of counter space.

Bezzi's Pick
$89.99

Coleman Pack-Away Cot

Elevate your sleep system (literally) with this heavy-ish but easy to set up cot.

Bezzi's Pick
$69.95

Kelty Lowdown Chair

It's sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and a tad pricier than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.

Bezzi's Pick
$189.99

Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove

A popular and reliable dual-burner camp stove that stays hot in windy conditions.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Dinner

Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Moroccan apple beef stew

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple sweet potato hash

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Banana coconut french toast

Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Lunch

Chicken soba noodle salad

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple maple sausage sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Chicken pad thai

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Frittata

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Baked sweet potatoes and chili

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Huevos rancheros verdes

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dessert

Banana boats

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Scrambled eggs n' bacon

Gluten Free

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