Malibu Creek State Park is a popular destination for campers and hikers who want to experience the beauty of Malibu’s mountains and canyons. The 7,000-acre park boasts a good amount of trails, including the popular hike to the former set of MASH. Located just 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Malibu Creek State Park offers a quick getaway for residents eager for a night in the outdoors.
The year-round campground boasts 63 sites, offering picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, coin showers, and a dump station. For a good overview of the facilities, review this park brochure.
Camping at Malibu Creek State Park has two drawbacks:
- Wood burning is prohibited, so campers are resigned to burning charcoal in the fire rings instead of having a true campfire
- $45 per night and $12 per additional vehicle is a lot to pay to sleep on the ground
Aside from those negatives, the campground provides the setting for an enjoyable weekend escape with friends and family. This is a popular campground, so reserve a site online before heading to the park.
To get to the Campground: Malibu Creek State Park is ten minutes inland from Pepperdine University and the beaches of Malibu. The entrance to the park located on the west side of Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road between the 101 and PCH, 5.7 miles from the coast, and south of Mulholland Drive.
Campground address: 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas, CA 91301
Campground coordinates: 34.100576, -118.711188 (34° 06′ 02.07″N 118° 42′ 40.27″W)
Use the map below to view the campground and create your own directions:
 | Talepop Loop This 4.75-mile hike climbs 500 feet over a scenic mountain between Liberty Canyon and Las Virgenes Canyon on the north end of Malibu Creek State Park. |
 | Grassland Trail to Crags Road and Rock Pool This easy 3-mile hike enters Malibu Creek State Park on South Grassland Trail, then forms a loop around Crags Road to visit Rock Pool, a popular park retreat. |
 | Malibu Creek Traverse This adventure hike explores the C-shaped gorge between Rock Pool and Century Lake in Malibu Creek State Park. |
 | Cistern, Lookout, and Cage Creek Trails This team of single tracks make a scenic descent to Century Lake in Malibu Creek State Park, providing a short loop or longer hikes to other destinations. |
 | Lake Vista Trail This 4.1-mile hike crosses the west end of Malibu Creek State Park and climbs to a scenic view over Malibu Lake. |
 | Phantom Trail This 4.8-mile round trip hike crosses a panoramic ridge on the north side of Malibu Creek State Park. |
 | M*A*S*H Set This hike visits the site where the exteriors of the television show MASH were filmed, a 4.75-mile trek from the park entrance. |
 | Lost Cabin Trail This 1.5-mile round trip extension to the MASH set hike dead-ends in a mountain canyon at the site of a now nonexistent cabin. |
 | More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
 | Leo Carrillo State Park Campground This coastal Malibu campground offers 135 sites with easy beach access and nearby trails. |
 | Sycamore Canyon Campground This 58-site campground in Point Mugu State Park sits at the mouth of a beachfront canyon and has access to trails through the west end of the Santa Monica Mountains. |
 | More campgrounds around LA Check out a few other places to camp in Los Angeles County. |
we are camping here next weekend, and would love to bring our dog, but are their any hikes we can take the pup on with us? I guess dogs are not generally allowed on the trails in state parks, but is there something close by? Just wondering if we should bring the pooch or leave her at home with friends.
Yes. Outside of Malibu Creek State Park, there are plenty of trails that allow dogs. Calabasas Peak is a good nearby trails that is dog-friendly. You can find more suitable trails by using the Hike Finder Map. Uncheck the box that says “doesn’t allow dogs” to only see the trails that allow dogs.
Is it safe to go night hiking in Malibu Creek?
I have reservations for next month. Are dogs allowed at Malibu State Park?
Dogs must be on a leash at all times and must be inside a tent or RV at night. Dogs are not permitted on trails.
are there any cool sites nearby to go exploring?
I will be riding my motorcycle from Florida to California in August 2017. I will be tent camping along the way. Does Malibu Creek State Park allow tent camping? If so, are reservations required?
I need to postpone my reservation for next Fri/Sat in site 36 at sycamore campground where can I goto change my reservations. ?