National recreation area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a national recreation area run by the National Park Service in Los Angeles County, California. There is no entrance fee. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round. It has 90265 developed campgrounds, from $35 a night.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on the managing agency's own page.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Photo: Seanydelight, CC BY-SA 3.0

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area map

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.

Common questions

Yes. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has no entrance fee.
Yes. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Yes. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has 90265 developed campgrounds. Sites cost $35 a night.

Fees, passes, and hours

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has no entrance fee.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Sources: nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-28; nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/hours, checked 2026-09-28.

Entrances and visitor centers

  • Santa Monica Mountains Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor CenterVisitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.8053702301
  • Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture CenterVisitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.8053702301
  • Circle X Ranch Campground - CLOSEDVisitor center, year-round: 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.8053702301

Source: nps.gov/samo/samo_linked_data.json, checked 2026-09-28.

Camping in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has 90265 developed campgrounds. Sites cost $35 a night.

Source: nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/camping, checked 2026-09-28.

Trails

  • Satwiwa Loop Trail(1.5 mi round trip, easy)Grassland and chaparral loop with Mount Boney backdrop.
  • Solstice Canyon Trail(2.1 mi round trip, easy)Creek walk to waterfall and Roberts Ranch House ruins.
  • Mishe Mokwa to Split Rock(3.5 mi round trip, moderate)Circle X Ranch hike with Carlisle Canyon and Balanced Rock views.
  • Cheeseboro to Modelo Loop(3 mi loop, moderate)Valley oak savannah then ridge views of the Simi Hills.
  • Backbone Trail(65 mi one way, strenuous)Spine of the Santa Monica Mountains; typically hiked in day sections.

Source: nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

What to see

  • OverlookBalanced RockRock formation viewed along Mishe Mokwa near Split Rock.
  • Historic siteSatwiwa Native American Indian Natural AreaMeadow preserve celebrating Native American cultures at Rancho Sierra Vista.
  • Historic siteRoberts Ranch House ruinsHistoric ruins at the end of Solstice Canyon Trail by the waterfall.
  • PeakMount BoneyDramatic peak backdrop above the Satwiwa Loop grasslands.

Source: nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.