Santa Clarita, California

The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Santa Clarita, California, offer a diverse range of scenic outdoor adventures. The Placerita Canyon Nature Center, a must-visit, has trails that wind through oak woodland and chaparral, leading to a striking waterfall and the unique "Oak of the Golden Dream." For a more challenging hike, the 5-mile Towsley Canyon Loop offers panoramic views of the Santa Clarita Valley and fascinating rock formations. For those interested in bird-watching and fishing, Castaic Lake is a top choice. The Santa Clara River and the Pacific Crest Trail also provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Santa Clarita indeed offers some of the best outdoor activities and attractions for everyone.

Top Spots in and near Santa Clarita

Stevenson Ranch, California
Hike the Towsley Canyon Loop

4.7

5.1 mi / 1340 ft gain

The Towsley Canyon Loop can be done in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise loop. The clockwise path starts with a gradual ascent through Wiley Canyon and steep descent into the Towsley Gorge while a counter-clockwise route starts with a steep climb out of Towsley Canyon and a gradual descent ...
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Stevenson Ranch, California
Mentryville: Pico Canyon Trail

7.07 mi / 1388 ft gain

Mentryville: Pico Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Stevenson Ranch, California.
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Los Angeles, California
Porter Ranch Ridge

4.0

3.36 mi / 548 ft gain

Porter Ranch Ridge is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Los Angeles, California.
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Los Angeles, California
Catch a Sunrise or Sunset at Palisades Park in Porter Ranch

4.0

From the 118 FWY, exit Reseda and head north until you pass by Calle Vista Circle. Once passed, make a U-turn and park on the side of the street.Here you will find the trailhead for the Palisades Trail Hike. To get to the scenic lookout, simply walk up the short trail leading up the hill, and hea...
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Los Angeles, California
Stoney Point via North End

4.0

1.42 mi / 240 ft gain

Stoney Point via North End is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Chatsworth, California.
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Los Angeles, California
Stoney Point Park Loop

4.0

0.73 mi / 141 ft gain

Once you've parked along Topanga Canyon Blvd, make your way down the street and start the trail off near the steel gate, close to the horse stables. As you make your way in, you will notice some rock climbers practicing on the lower elevation rocks. Make your way around this rocky park, counter-...
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Castaic, California
Paddle Castaic Lake State Recreational Area

6 mi

Castaic Lake is a man made reservoir located 41 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, CA in the town of Castaic. Made up of two bodies of water, separated by a 425-foot dam, Upper and Lower Castaic Lakes have a combined 29 miles of shoreline forming the Castaic Lake State Recreational Area. The s...
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San Fernando, California
Pacoima Park Natural Wash Park

0.54 mi / 13 ft gain

Pacoima Park Natural Wash Park makes for a wonderful & pleasant walk. The entrance to the park is located at the corner of Newton St and 8th St and runs up to Foothill Blvd in San Fernando California. The park is ADA accessible and allows for dogs on leash. There are also picnic tables and dr...
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Los Angeles, California
Hike up Chatsworth Park North

1 mi

From the parking lot, make your way through the park until you reach the bottom of a hill filled with huge rocks and boulders. It is very hard to miss.From here, you can pick any trail you wish. They will all lead up to the top. There's a lot of rock scrambling involved, as well as boulder hoppin...
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Santa Clarita, California
Hike to Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument

3.2 mi / 153 ft gain

The Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument, established in 2019, memorializes the site where the Saint Francis Dam, built by famed engineer William Mulholland, collapsed in 1929, tragically killing more than 400 people in the middle of the night as a 150+ foot wave of water crashed through ...
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Los Angeles, California
Reseda Pond Path

1.0

0.3 mi / 0 ft gain

Reseda Pond Path is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Reseda, California
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Agua Dulce, California
Vasquez Rocks

5.0

2.42 mi / 367 ft gain

This is a Natural Park Area located in Santa Clarita, within the Sierra Pelona Mountains. It features amazing diagonal rock formations, created because of the force between two tectonic plates pushing against each other. This place is a photographer's paradise, and every spot in this 900+ acre l...
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Santa Clarita, California
Hike the PCT and Foot Trail Loop through Vasquez Rocks

5.0

5.5 mi / 287 ft gain

The Pacific Crest Trail and foot trail hike is a 5-mile loop with a quick PCT branch-off that leads under the 14 freeway through a long, well-maintained (but very dark) tunnel. Pull into the well-marked parking lot and stop in the visitor center to take a look at the topographical park model and...
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Los Angeles, California
Sepulveda Basin: Upstream Of Balboa

4.0

3.7 mi / 75 ft gain

Sepulveda Basin: Upstream Of Balboa is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Encino, California.
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Los Angeles, California
Cave of Munits

4.5

1.53 mi / 299 ft gain

Are you looking for a hike that offers trail running, scenic views, hiking, and CAVE exploring? This short, but exciting trail leads you on a short 0.8 mile hike to the Cave of Munits. When starting at the main trailhead, El Scorpion Park, take the wide paved dirt road all the way till you get to...
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Ventura County, California
Hike the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve Trail

8.6 mi / 1851 ft gain

The most popular point of entry is through the Victory Trailhead, which has ample parking. You can park on the street or you can pay $3 to park at the trailhead parking lot. You can also enter at the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Trailhead at the northern end of Las Virgenes Canyon Road in Calabasas....
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