Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Featured

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool + MASH Site

5 miles - Easy Effort
Or: 2 miles total just to Rock Pools
2-3 Hours (Total)
400 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 720 feet
No Dogs Allowed

There's a lot to see in Malibu Creek State Park, and in this guide, I'll take you on a "best of" tour of the highlights in the park. First, we'll visit the famous Rock Pool, then escape the crowds at the scenic Century Lake dam, finally finishing with a canyon-side trail to the famous MASH television show set. It's an easy hike that's full of adventure and history.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions
Hike the Rock Pool, Dam Viewpoint, and MASH Site
Insider Tips & Recommendations

Quick Links: Malibu Creek State Park - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is Malibu Creek State Park?

There are many trails and trailheads at Malibu Creek State Park, and this hike starts at the easy-to-find main parking lot and visitor area. Use this address to get to the parking lot:
1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 1 — Set your GPS for the park address, the easiest way to get to the entrance.

Malibu Creek Parking Map — Once you pull into the entrance, drive a minute our so down to the big parking lot on your left.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 3 — There are plenty of parking spots, even though this is a popular spot.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 4 — This is a California State Park, and you have to pay to visit. Sometimes the entry fee will be collected at the booth when you first drive in, but if not, use the self-pay kiosks. Or buy an annual State Park pass to get into all the CA parks.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 5 — There are bathrooms by the trailhead.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 6 — As well as a water fill.

Gear For the Hike

This is a tame hike, and you can get away with fitness clothes or light hiking gear. There are some water crossings, but you shouldn't have to get wet. Having shoes you don't mind getting wet is wise, just in case. It can also get brutally hot here; bring at least 1L of water for this hike.

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Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5 ( Men | Women )
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As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My September 2023 Top Gear Picks

Malibu Creek SP Trail Maps

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 2 — This is a popular park and the trails are generally well-marked.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Elevation Profile

Malibu Creek Elevation — This is a little bit deceiving because it looks like there's a mountain to climb, but the uphill is only 160 feet. It's a flat hike aside from the small bump in the middle. On the way back, you do it in reverse.

3D Map

Hike Brief

Malibu Creek Historic — When you do the hike, you'll recognize this view of the gorge that Malibu Creek travels through, which looks much the same as it does in this photo from 1911. The building seen in this photo is the Bavarian alpine-style lodge at Crags Country Club, a popular spot for wealthy people who like to hunt. The Great Depression and a lack of interest brought an end to Crags Country Club, and it closed in 1936. The lodge is no longer there. Photo Eric Wienberg Collection

In 1946 20th Century Fox Studio bought the old country club to create a "shooting ranch" location to film scenes in the wild. And the area you will hike through has been a backdrop in hundreds of old movies and television shows that you've probably never seen, and maybe some that you have. But lots of big movie stars shot here, including Cary Grant, Marlon Brando (aka the Godfather), and even Elvis Presley.
Here's Elvis during the shooting of Love Me Tender here at the park. Photo Marc Wanamaker/Bison Archives
We'll end at the MASH outdoor set, which has some old vehicles and structures, as well as great interpretive displays. For you young folks, MASH was a popular TV show from the 1970s based on a popular movie based on a popular book about the Korean war. It's worth watching the intro to the TV show featuring the peaks and valleys on this hike. The video is also fun to check out after your hike. And according to an insider, if you watch the show, you can tell the scenes that were shot in the park because the actors will be squinting from the sun.
The state bought the area and opened the park in 1976, but movies and shows continued to be shot here over the years. These days less productions are shot in the park because so many people can easily recognize the distinctive peaks here, therefore knowing that the location is not where it's supposed be.

Rock Pools & MASH Site Hike Directions

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Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 7 — The trail starts behind the bathrooms at the end of the parking lot.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 9 — You'll see a sign for the trails.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 8 — Go straight across the street behind the bathrooms.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 10 — And you'll come to a trail board.Go down the steps and onto the (closed to traffic) road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 11 — The hike is well marked with signs like this.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 12 — Continue down Crags Road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 13 — Keep hiking past the Grassland Trail on the right.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 14 — Look for this turnoff shortly past the Grassland Trail junction. We're going to leave the crowds on Crags Road behind.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 15 — Do the easy creek crossing.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 16 — And then keep right at the junction.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 17 — We're going to be hiking across the creek from the road. Follow the dirt track and enjoy the views of the Goat Buttes.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 18 — When you get to the Visitor Center, make the hard right.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 19 — If the Visitor Center is open, it's worth a stop.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 20 — Otherwise go over the bridge.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 21 — The views down Malibu Creek from the beginning of the bridge are some of the best. Rock Pools is in the gorge ahead.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 22 — Once across the bridge make the hard left.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 23 — And hen continue left at the junction, down to the shores of Malibu Creek. Note that on the way back, we'll be going up the road on the right at this junction.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 24 — The trail is more of a trail now, following the shores of the creek.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 25 — Keep following the creek upstream.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 26 — And in a short while you'll reach the Rock Pools.

You can swim in the water here, but you are not allowed to dive.

I'd also caution against climbing the cliffs around rock pool if you are not a rock climber. There are more accidents and rescues here than you would imagine.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 27 — Here's another view of the Rock Pools swimming hole.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 28 — And if you go around a little, you'll be able to see up into the gorge. Our next stop is the dam on the other side of this gorge.

Hike back to the last intersection where you joined the creek.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 29 — Instead of hiking back to the bridge, make the hard left onto the dirt road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 30 — Hike uphill on the dirt road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 31 — And make the first right onto the trail.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 32 — And then you'll see Crags Road (from earlier) up on the hill in front of you. Climb up one of the short steep paths to rejoin Crags Road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 33 — Finish the rest of the climb on Crags Road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 34 — At the top, look for the small side trail to Century Lake on the left.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 35 — There's a sign for the Century Lake Trail. Keep left and head downhill.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 36 — You'll have some stairs down to a small clearing.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 37 — And then get some great views of Century Lake (named after 20th Century Fox) and the dam, built in 1903 by Crags Country Club to attract waterfowl to hunt. The pointy crags in front of you are part of the Goat Buttes.

The famous "cliff jump scene" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was shot here.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 38 — Instead of heading back up to the road where you came in, continue up the lake on the lower road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 39 — And when you get back to Crags Road, make the left.

Planet Of The Apes Malibu — This junction is where they built "Ape Village" for the original *Planet of the Apes* movie. Photo Marc Wanamaker/Bison Archives

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 43 — There's a sign after the junction. Our next stop is the MASH site.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 41 — Follow the sandy and mellow Crags Road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 42 — Go straight past the Yearling Trail (on the right).

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 44 — And then look for a concrete dam on the left.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 45 — When you get to the end of the dam, make the left off of the dam.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 46 — And use the boards to cross over the creek.

The way these boards looks will likely change. Look around for a good way to cross.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 47 — Once across continue upstream along the trail.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 48 — Crags Road gets much smaller and makes a sharp left turn to follow the creek through a canyon.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 49 — Keep following the creek upstream.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 50 — And eventually you're back on the road.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 51 — And then you'll see an old military ambulance, the start of the MASH site. This truck is from a 2007 restoration of the area.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 52 — Enjoy all of the interpretive displays that do a good job of walking you through the show and how it was shot.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 53 — There are some older vehicles too.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 54 — And the mess tables.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 55 — There's even a "selfie holder" for you to take pictures.

Hike Malibu Creek Rock Pool Mash Directions 56 — After you're done exploring, just head back the same way that you came in.

If you want to save some time, just go straight back on Crags Road, avoiding the Rock Pools, and the road will bring you back to the start.

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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