Picturesque hiking and climbing opportunities abound at a California state park nestled within the Santa Monica Mountains.
Exploring California's Underrated State Parks: A Guide to Hiking Paradises
Malibu Creek State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains of the United States, is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts. With its scenic beauty and over 35 miles of trails, it offers a diverse range of hiking experiences. However, if you're looking for more off-the-beaten-path hiking adventures, California has several underrated state parks that are worth exploring.
One such park is Lassen Volcanic National Park. Known for its volcanic landscapes, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows, it offers vigorous hikes amid steaming fumaroles and boiling springs, providing a unique backdrop much different from coastal parks. It is less crowded due to its remote northern location.
Another hidden gem is Castle Crags State Park, which features jagged granite domes with striking views of Mount Shasta. The trails here combine rugged terrain with spectacular mountain vistas, making it an excellent hiking destination away from more popular spots.
Palomar Mountain State Park, located at an elevation around 5,000 feet, offers forested hiking trails shaded by pine, fir, and cedar trees. The cooler mountain environment contrasts with surrounding warmer regions and feels like a hidden gem in Southern California.
For those seeking coastal redwoods, Santa Cruz Redwoods (Henry Cowell State Park) is just 20 minutes from Santa Cruz. This park combines towering redwoods with trails suitable for hiking and biking, making it an underrated area to experience majestic forests near the coast.
Pinnacles National Park offers rugged hiking and dramatic landscapes through ancient volcanic rock formations, caves, and steep canyons. It is one of California’s lesser-visited national parks and a great alternative for those looking for striking geological scenery.
Russian Gulch State Park's Fern Canyon and Mount Shasta's Heart Lake provide picturesque hiking locations with unique natural features.
These parks offer diverse environments—from volcanic peaks and alpine lakes to forested mountain trails and coastal redwoods—all providing excellent hiking and scenic beauty akin to Malibu Creek State Park but with fewer visitors and often more tranquility.
Back to Malibu Creek State Park, the park has a group campground and a main campsite with 62 spots, RV access, firepits, picnic tables, toilets, and showers. The park is open all year-round, with gates opening from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Bulldog Loop, a 15.4-mile trail, is popular for hiking, horse riding, and mountain biking, and is also a hotspot for birdwatching. Maps are available at the historic visitor center, a one-mile walk from the lower parking lot.
The Malibu Lake Trail, a 6.4-mile moderately challenging hike, offers views of the mountains and valleys, ending at Malibu Lake. Fishing for bass caught in the park can be enjoyed at the campsite later on. Golden eagles, nanday parakeets, and great blue herons are sometimes spotted in the park.
The park has a rich history, having been originally inhabited by the Chumash Native Americans around 9,000 years ago. Since then, the park has been used by Spanish colonists, early settlers, and homesteaders. The park is also famous for being a filming location for over three decades, including for the TV series "MAS*H" and the original "Planet of the Apes" film.
Lastly, it's important to note that long grass in the park is the usual place for ticks to reside. So, it's always a good idea to check yourself after a hike.
In conclusion, whether you're looking for a challenging hike with stunning views or a peaceful walk through a forest, California's state parks offer a wide variety of options. After returning home from your Malibu Creek adventure, consider planning a trip to one of California's underrated state parks for more unforgettable hiking experiences.
[1] Lassen Volcanic National Park [2] Castle Crags State Park [3] Palomar Mountain State Park [4] Santa Cruz Redwoods (Henry Cowell State Park) [5] Pinnacles National Park
- After a thrilling hiking adventure at Malibu Creek State Park, consider exploring the remote beauty of Lassen Volcanic National Park, where hiking trails intertwine with steaming fumaroles and alpine meadows.
- For an off-the-beaten-path hiking experience, plan a trip to Palomar Mountain State Park, a hidden gem nestled in the mountains, offering cooler temperatures and forested trails amidst towering pine, fir, and cedar trees.
