Immerse yourself in nature and take in the stunning scenery on one of Santa Clarita’s numerous hiking trails. Hitting the trails is a favorite southern California activity with good reason—hiking is simply one of the best ways to experience the area’s breathtaking natural beauty. Lace up your hiking boots, pack some water, snacks and sunscreen and pick a trail to explore.
Whether you are planning a family hike with the kids or a more difficult climb, you will find your new favorite spot right here on our Santa Clarita trails!
CENTRAL PARK
This 3.1-mile cross country trail is located within Central Park with convenient parking, and it has also proven to be a very popular location for casual day hiking, dog walking, and bike riding right in the center of town. The exercise stairs are the newest addition to the park, with 172 steps.
EAST WALKER RANCH
Three separate trails nestled in the mountains offer spectacular views from several different lookout points and provide three levels of difficulty for its users; the trails are 1.6, 0.9 and 1.1 miles in length, offering 3.6 miles of trail that connects to the Golden Valley Ranch Open Space located just north of the property.
ELSMERE CANYON
This trail is located in the Newhall Pass, adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, and the protected lands in Whitney and Placerita Canyons. Elsmere Canyon is an area of significant importance as it provides connectivity to existing wildlife corridors and increases the City’s greenbelt of protected open space.
GOLDEN VALLEY RANCH
More than 900 acres of chaparral/oak woodland have been preserved along one of the most prominent ridgelines in the Santa Clarita Valley. After making the steep ascent to the ridgeline, trail users will be rewarded with the rolling terrain and sweeping panoramas from the Placerita Trail. Several lookout points located along the trail provide exceptional viewing and rest opportunities.
HART PARK TRAILS
Looking for a bit of California history along your scenic trail? Be sure to explore William S. Hart Park where you will enjoy visiting a live collection of farm animals in the barnyard, a herd of American bison that were originally donated by Walt Disney, a vast picnic area and a charming Western-themed gift store. A series of hiking trails are also available.
HASKELL CANYON OPEN SPACE
A 526-acre canyon with steep hillsides, spacious grassland meadows, and stands of oak trees throughout. Haskell Canyon is situated on the north side of town, along the edge of the Angeles National Forest.
NEWHALL PASS OPEN SPACE
Located at the mouth of the intersection of Interstate 5 and the 14 Freeway, the Newhall Pass Open Space offers 540 acres with two 1-mile trails. This area is a critical wildlife corridor that allows animals to safely migrate through their habitat area.
PLACERITA CANYON
This natural area is a 350-acre wildlife sanctuary located at the western end of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Santa Clarita Valley. The park features seven different trails, covering more than 12 miles. Trails range in size from the 0.16 mile Botany Trail to the 2.45 mile Los Pinetos Trail, which provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands on clear days. The Heritage Trail, which explores the cultural history of the park, is paved to allow access for strollers and wheelchairs. A picnicking area is available near the Nature Center. It’s a great place to start to get a glimpse at the natural beauty of southern California.
QUIGLEY CANYON
Located in a Newhall neighborhood known for its equestrian ranch-style homes, a working western movie ranch, and dirt roads and trails throughout. In fact, it is commonplace to see the locals trotting down the street on their horses here. 160 acres of this beautiful canyon provides visitors with great places to hike, ride and picnic.
RIVENDALE PARK AND OPEN SPACE
Located at the mouth of Towsley Canyon, Rivendale was formerly an equestrian and riding center. It has since served as an informal trailhead and public parking for the Towsley Canyon Open Space in the Santa Clarita Woodlands, a park unit of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC). It’s definitely worth exploring.
SAN FRANCISQUITO OPEN SPACE
In addition to the trail opportunities it provides, this open space supports the City’s ongoing effort to create a greenbelt around Santa Clarita, preserve open space and oak woodlands, and connect to existing wildlife corridors.
TOWSLEY CANYON
These trails allow you to experience nature and wildlife first hand. The journey includes mountainous regions, animal encounters and breathtaking views of Santa Clarita. Trailhead begins at Ed Davis Park which you can find off Interstate 5 at the Calgrove exit.
VASQUEZ ROCKS
Just north of Santa Clarita off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14) is a 750 acre reserve. Discover natural beauty at these unique rock formations that are a familiar Southern California sight having been the background for many films, television shows and commercials. Rock climbing is the primary sport, but adventurers can enjoy all kinds of outdoor recreation, including saddling up for a riveting ride or going on foot along the many hiking trails in this rocky terrain. In addition, enjoy family campgrounds, hiking, and horseback trails.
WHITNEY CANYON
Located near the offramp of the 14 Freeway and Newhall Avenue, the beautiful 442-acre park provides outstanding examples of coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, chaparral and riparian corridor vegetation, with year-round springs. Besides its importance for wildlife movement in a critical corridor between the Santa Susana Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains, Whitney Canyon provides a regionally significant entrance into the Angeles National Forest. Several popular trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians are accessible from here.
WILDWOOD CANYON
Nestled near the heart of the Newhall community, at 95-acres, Wildwood Canyon Open Space is a hidden gem within Santa Clarita. Sprinkled with oak trees, the steep ravines offer shaded trails with moderate grades up to a ridge that provides a commanding view of the Santa Clarita Valley. The trails available range from gentle to moderate to steep.