transit accessible hiking areas near Los Angeles
Agoura Hills - Malibu Creek State Park
63 campsites, $45 reservation
⁌ 15 minute walk to trail, 3.4 mile hike to camp ⁍
This popular campground has 63 campsites with table and fire ring. Water, flush toilets and pay showers are available. A $45 reservation is required. Expect some traffic noise from the nearby road.
How to get there
Take Metro 161 to Agoura Rd/Liberty Canyon Rd.
Walk .6 mile south on Liberty Canyon to the trailhead. The easy 3.4 mile trail to camp is very scenic.
Info
Trail guides
Liberty Canyon - AllTrails
Rock Pool & MASH Site - HikingGuy
Lower Malibu Creek - Modern Hiker
Phantom Trail - Modern Hiker
MASH Location - California Through My Lens
Altadena - Bear Canyon Trail Camp
3 free campsites, no reservation
⁌ 8 min walk to trail, 6.4 mile hike to camp ⁍
Loma Alta trailhead is closed. Use the 'alternative' route below.
This free remote creekside campground has three campsites with tables. No reservation required.
How to get there
Take Metro 662 to Lincoln Av/Altadena Dr. Walk .3 mile north on Lincoln; turn right at Loma Alta Drive. Continue about two blocks to the trailhead. [street view]
Alternative: Take Metro 660 to Fair Oaks Av/Wapello St. Walk .3 mile west on Loma Alta, turn right at Chaney Trail. Walk 1.2 mile up Chaney to the Mt Lowe Rd junction via this trail or the road (walk on the left side and watch for cars!)
Google directions to the bus stop
Directions from bus stop to trails (using bike directions, as Google won't let you walk here)
Info
Water and toilet are in Loma Alta Park .3 mile north of the Lincoln Av bus stop.
Metro Micro rideshare is available in this area.
Trail guides
Millard Canyon - AllTrails
Millard Canyon Falls - HikingGuy
Dawn Mine/Sunset Ridge - HikingGuy
Dawn Mine/Sunset Ridge - Modern Hiker
Altadena - Gould Mesa Trail Camp
5 free campsites, no reservation
⁌ 6 minute walk to trail, 2 mile hike to camp ⁍
This free creekside campground has five campsites with tables and fire rings. Trash bins, bear box and pit toilets are available. No reservation required.
How to get there
Take Metro 662 to Lincoln Av/Altadena Dr.
Walk .3 mi west on Altadena to the trailhead. Prepare for several creek crossings on the easy two mile hike to camp.
Info
Water and toilet are at Loma Alta Park on Lincoln .25 mile north of the bus stop. A diner is at the bus stop. Water is on the trail .8 mile from the trailhead.
Metro Micro rideshare is available in this area.
Trail guides
Alternate route to Arroyo Seco (weekdays)
Take transit to Oak Grove Dr/Foothill Bl.
The trail into the arroyo starts behind the welcome sign at the bus stop. Walk north and enter the pedestrian/equestrian gate between the stables and fire department. Follow along the JPL fence to the Explorer Rd bridge. Cross over the bridge to the Gabrielino Parallel trail.
Google directions to the bus stop
Google walking directions are incorrect here; use the CalTopo map.
Info
Water and toilet are in the park near the bus stop.
Buses operate weekdays only and accept cash and TAP. Two Glendale routes serve this stop: route 33 is free; route 3 is free when boarding at Oak Grove/Foothill. [Glendale Transit] Pasadena route 53 serves this stop in early morning and late afternoon only. [Pasadena Transit] Metro Micro rideshare is available in this area.
Trail guides
Altadena - Idlehour Trail Camp (CLOSED)
3 free campsites, no reservation
⁌ 6-20 minute walk to trail, 6.7 mile hike to camp ⁍
This free remote creekside campground has three campsites with tables. No reservation required.
How to get there
Take transit to Altadena Dr/New York Dr or Altadena Dr/Washington Bl.
Walk north on Altadena to Eaton Canyon Park and down the park road to the trailhead. (Alternate trail access is 1.4 mi up Altadena Dr at the Pinecrest gate)
Info
Water and toilet are at the trailhead and on the trail 3.7 mi from the trailhead at Henninger Flat. A convenience store is at each bus stop.
Metro Micro rideshare is available in this area.
Trail guides
Eaton Canyon - AllTrails
Eaton Canyon Falls - HikingGuy
Eaton Canyon Falls - Modern Hiker
Henninger Flats - Modern Hiker
Altadena - Millard Trail Camp (CLOSED)
6 free campsites, no reservation
⁌ 15 min walk to trail, 2.3 mile hike to camp ⁍
This free creekside campground has six campsites with tables and fire rings. Trash bins, bear boxes and pit toilet are available. No reservation required.
How to get there
Take Metro 662 to Lincoln Av/Altadena Dr. Walk .3 mile north on Lincoln; turn right at Loma Alta Drive and continue about two blocks to the trailhead. [street view]
Alternative: Take Metro 660 to Fair Oaks Av/Wapello St. Walk .3 mile west on Loma Alta, turn right at Chaney Trail. Walk 1.2 mile up Chaney to the Mt Lowe Rd junction via this trail or the road (walk on the left side and watch for cars!)
Google directions to Fair Oaks bus stop
Directions from bus stop to trail (using bike directions, as Google won't let you walk here)
Info
Water and toilet are in Loma Alta Park .3 mile north of the bus stop. A convenience store is at the bus stop.
Metro Micro rideshare is available in this area.
Trail guides
Millard Canyon - AllTrails
Millard Canyon Falls - HikingGuy
Dawn Mine/Sunset Ridge - HikingGuy
Dawn Mine/Sunset Ridge - Modern Hiker
Millard Falls - California Through My Lens
Altadena - Mt Lowe Trail Camp
5 free campsites, no reservation
⁌ 40 minute walk to trail, 5 mile hike to camp ⁍
This free mountain campground has five campsites, tables and a pit toilet. Treatable water is ~50 feet directly uphill from camp. No reservation required.
How to get there
Take Metro 660 to Fair Oaks Av/Wapello Dr.
Walk .3 mile west on Loma Alta, turn right at Chaney Trail. Walk 1.2 mile up Chaney to the Mt Lowe Rd junction via this trail or the road (walk on the left side and watch for cars!)
Google directions to the bus stop
Directions from bus stop to trail (using bike directions, as Google won't let you walk here)
Info
Due to trail closures, the camp can be reached only via Mt Lowe Motorway or Tom Sloan & Jim Spencer trails. See the CalTopo map for routes. Treatable water at the camp is from a pipe about 50 feet directly uphill next to a large cistern.
Metro Micro rideshare is available in this area.
Dana Point - Doheny State Beach
121 campsites, $50 reservation
⁌ 15 minute walk to camp ⁍
Laguna Beach - Crystal Cove State Park
29 campsites, $25 reservation
⁌ 5-10 minute walk to trail, 3-4 mile hike to remote camps ⁍
Three remote campgrounds with 29 campsites have tables and pit toilet. The beach campground has 30 tent campsites with water, flush toilets and a pay shower. A $25 reservation is required. At the beach campground expect plenty of traffic noise from the highway.
How to get there
Northbound: Take OCTA 1 to Coast-Ent 8681 El Morro (8681 N. Coast Hwy). Walk up School-State Park road to the trailheads.
Northbound Google directions
Southbound: Take OCTA 1 to N Coast Hwy/Reef Point Dr.
Cross the highway at the intersection, walk SE on Coast Hwy and turn left at School-State Park road to the trailheads.
Google directions to the southbound bus stop
Directions from bus stop to trail (using bike directions, as Google won't let you walk here)
The trail to Deer Canyon camp is 3.2 miles with a gain of 830 feet; Lower Moro camp is 3 miles, 850 feet gain; Upper Moro camp is 3.9 miles, 914 feet gain.
Info
Crystal Cove Moro campground information
Reservations
Beach campsite photos
Deer Canyon campsite photos
Lower Moro campsite photos
Upper Moro campsite photos
Water and toilet are at Reef Point Park and the trailhead. Toilets are at each campground. Water and pay showers are at the beach campground. Groceries and cafes are at Reef Point Dr.
Area buses accept cash, Wave and contactless debit/credit cards. [OC Transit]
Trail guides
Crystal Cove - AllTrails
Best of Crystal Cove - HikingGuy
El Moro Loop - California Through My Lens
Lancaster - Saddleback Butte State Park
37 campsites, $20 fee, no reservation
⁌ 15 minute walk to camp ⁍
This desert campground has 37 campsites with ramadas, tables, BBQ grills and fire rings. Water and flush toilets are available. $20 fee required, no reservation. Expect considerable traffic noise from the nearby road.
How to get there
Take transit to 170th St E/Ave K-8.
Walk .5 mile north on 170th to Ave K, then 500 ft east to the campground. Alternate route (no traffic, lots of barking): walk 1 block east on K-8 and turn left at unmarked, unpaved 171st to the campground.
Info
Area buses accept TAP and cash. [Antelope Valley Transit]
Trail guides
Saddleback Butte - AllTrails
Saddleback Butte - Modern Hiker
Saddleback Butte - California Through My Lens
Rancho Santa Margarita - O'Neill Park
79 campsites, $20 reservation
⁌ 15 minute walk to trail, .75 mile hike to camp ⁍
This campground has 79 campsites with table, BBQ grill and fire ring. Water, flush toilets and showers are available. A $20 reservation is required.
How to get there
Take OCTA 89 to Santa Margarita/Avd De Las Flores. Walk a block north on Avd de Las Flores, turn left at Via Con Dios, right at Sweetleaf, left at Morning Glory, right at Primrose, then right at Montana to the park entrance. [street view]
Google directions to the park gate
Google directions from gate to camp
Info
O'Neill Park information
Reservations
Campsite photos
Water and toilet are at the park entrance. Water, toilet, groceries (Target) and fast food are at the bus stop.
Area buses accept cash, Wave and contactless debit/credit cards. [OC Transit]
Trail guides
O'Neill Park - AllTrails
San Clemente - State Beach
86 campsites, $45 reservation
⁌ bus stop is at campground ⁍
This beachfront campground has 86 tent campsites with table, BBQ grill and fire ring. Water, flush toilets and showers are available. A $45 reservation is required. Expect some traffic noise from the freeway.
How to get there
Take OCTA 1 to Avd Del Presidente/Avd San Luis Rey. The campground gate is at the corner. [street view]
Info
San Clemente State Park information
Reservations
Campsite photos
Water and toilet are at the campground. A convenience store is directly across the freeway from the bus stop.
Area buses accept cash, Wave and contactless debit/credit cards. [OC Transit]
San Clemente - AllTrails
Trail guides
San Clemente - San Mateo Campground
157 campsites, $45 reservation
⁌ 3 minute walk to trail, 1 mile hike to camp ⁍
This campground has 157 campsites with table and fire ring. Water, flush toilets and showers are available. A $45 reservation is required
How to get there
Take OCTA 1 to El Camino Real/Avd Santa Margarita. Walk 3 minutes SE to the Trestles Beach trailhead and continue 1 mile north to the campground.
Info
Park map
Reservations
Campsite photos
Water and toilet are at the campground. Carl's Jr. is at the bus stop.
Area buses accept cash, Wave and contactless debit/credit cards. [OC Transit]
San Clemente - AllTrails
Trail guides
Topanga - Musch Trail Camp
8 campsites, $7 fee, no reservation
⁌ 15 minute walk to trail, 2.2 mile hike to camp ⁍
This $7 fee, no reservation campground has eight campsites with tables. Water and flush toilets are available.
How to get there
Take Topanga Beach Bus to Topanga Canyon Bl/Cuesta Cala Rd. The bus schedule refers to this stop as "General Store" (southbound) or "Pine Tree Circle" (northbound).
Walk .5 mile north on Topanga Canyon Bl, turn right at Entrada Dr and walk a block to the trailhead.
Info
There is temporarily limited bus service to Topanga with one southbound bus in the morning and one northbound bus in the afternoon. See the temporary schedule here.
Water and toilet are at the library a block north of the bus stop on N Topanga Canyon Bl, and at the trailhead. Groceries and cafes are at the bus stop.
Beach Bus fare is $1. Only cash is accepted. [Topanga Beach Bus] This sign marks the bus stops. The southbound "General Store" stop in Topanga is in the store parking lot. The northbound "Pine Tree Circle/Cuesta Cala" stop is on the road, directly across from the store. Drivers sometimes don't stop at the Santa Monica E Line station; use the 4th Street stop instead.
Trail guides
east of Topanga - AllTrails
Ventura - Emma Wood State Beach
open tent area, no reservation, $10 fee
⁌ XX-XX minute walk to camp ⁍
This beachside campground has a large open space for hike & bike campers with water, flush toilets, shower, tables, BBQ grills and fire rings. Expect lots of noise from the adjacent freeway and railway.
How to get there
By bus: Take the bus to Ventura Avenue/Main Street. Walk west on Main St and turn left at Park Access Rd. [street view] (total 1 mile)
By train: Take the train to Ventura Station. Walk west on Harbor Bl, turn right at Garden St, left at Olive St, left at Main St and continue to the entrance at Park Access Rd. [street view] (total 1.3 mile)
Info
Groceries and fast food are at the bus stop. Water and toilets are on the Beach Promenade. Toilets are at Mission Park.
Area buses accept cash and passes which can be purchased on the bus or with Token Transit. [Gold Coast Transit] Ventura station has no ticket kiosk; buy your return ticket in advance or with the app. [Metrolink] [Amtrak]
Trail guides
Emma Wood - AllTrails
Ventura - Foster Park
34 campsites, $28 reservation + $10 reg fee
⁌ 7-15 minute walk to camp ⁍
Foster Residence campground has 16 campsites with water, flush toilets, tables and fire rings. It's very peaceful, with almost no road noise. Sites 14-16 are extra shady.
Foster Red Mountain campground has 18 campsites with water, flush toilets, tables and fire rings. Expect traffic noise from the road and freeway.
How to get there
Take transit to Ventura Ave/Casitas Vista Rd.
Walk .3 mile west on Casitas Vista Rd to Red Mountain camp or 7. mile to Residence camp.
Google directions to the bus stop
Directions from bus stop to camps (using bike directions, as Google won't let you walk here)
Info
Foster Residence campground info and reservations
Foster Residence campground photos
Foster Red Mountain campground info and reservations
Area buses accept cash and passes which can be purchased on the bus or with Token Transit. [Gold Coast Transit]
Trail guides
Foster Park - AllTrails
