A 4.75-mile round-trip hike through oak woodland ends at the spot where “California became Korea” for the TV series M*A*S*H, and kids who know the reruns or just love a good army camp story will find the wrecked jeep, the old prop helicopter, and the landscape that did most of the acting. Malibu Creek State Park, 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, turns a pop-culture landmark into a genuinely good family walk — provided you go in with clear eyes about what’s actually there.
The M*A*S*H Site Is Not a Movie Set
The park’s most famous attraction is the filming location for the opening credits and many exterior scenes of M*A*S*H, which ran for 11 seasons. What you’ll find is not a preserved set with tents and signposts. The landscape itself — the rolling chaparral hills, the Goat Buttes towering above Malibu Creek — was the backdrop. A rusted military jeep and a prop helicopter shell sit near the trail, and the open field where the 4077th was pitched is clearly identifiable if you’ve seen the show. The docent site notes that the rugged terrain is what made the location work: it convincingly stood in for Korea without much dressing.
For kids who have watched episodes or just love anything military-adjacent, the jeep alone is a highlight. Younger children who don’t know the show will still enjoy the walk and the open space. The payoff is modest — this is not a theme-park attraction — but the hike to get there is the real draw.
The park’s docent site describes the M*A*S*H filming location as the place where “California became Korea” for the television series.
Getting There and Paying for It
The park entrance is at 1925 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas, four miles south of the 101 freeway. Coming from the coast, take Malibu Canyon Road 6.5 miles north from Pacific Coast Highway. The drive from central Los Angeles runs about 25 miles and takes 35-45 minutes without traffic — add time on weekends when everyone else has the same idea.
Day-use parking costs $3 per hour or $12 all day. The main lot fills early on weekends and holidays. A lower lot closer to the trailheads is the one most hikers use; the park has two parking areas, and the lower one cuts walking distance to Rock Pool and the M*A*S*H site. Day-use hours are 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM per California State Parks.
No reservations are needed for day use. Camping requires a reservation through ReserveCalifornia, which opens slots six months to the day in advance.
The Family Hike to the Army Camp
The most straightforward route to the M*A*S*H site is via Crags Road, a wide fire road that follows the north bank of Malibu Creek. From the lower parking area, the round trip runs about 4.75 miles with roughly 200 feet of elevation gain — essentially flat by mountain standards. Most families with kids ages 6 and up finish it in 2 to 3 hours with stops.
The trail is mostly packed dirt and gravel, suitable for decent walking shoes but not technical terrain. You cross a creek bed that’s usually dry, then follow the oak-shaded high road as it curves left. After about a mile you’ll reach an intersection; turn left, cross a bridge over Malibu Creek, and pick up the Gorge Trail. Continue upstream past the Rock Pool turnoff, and the M*A*S*H site appears about 2.4 miles from the start.
The Goat Buttes visible from the site are the same rock formations that appeared in the opening shot of every episode. Kids who recognize them from TV will get a kick out of the connection. The park was once part of the 20th Century Fox movie ranch, and other productions filmed here include Planet of the Apes — the “Planet of the Apes Wall” along the trail is a recognizable spot from that film.
Rock Pool and Century Lake: Worth Adding On
Most family hikes combine the M*A*S*H site with Rock Pool and Century Lake, creating a loop of about 4 miles with minimal extra effort. Rock Pool is a dramatic gorge where Malibu Creek makes a hairpin turn through 400-foot volcanic rock cliffs and cascades into a deep pool. It’s the park’s most scenic feature — a natural amphitheater of boulders and rock walls that feels like a movie set, which it was: Swiss Family Robinson and Tarzan films shot here.
Do not let kids jump or dive into Rock Pool. The docent site states it is prohibited and dangerous, and rangers ticket climbers on the porous rock walls upstream. The pool is best treated as a scenic stop and photo spot, not a swimming hole.
Century Lake is quieter and flatter, formed by a 50-foot dam built by the Crags Country Club in 1910. The trail passes it on the way to the M*A*S*H site. In winter, migratory waterfowl gather here; year-round it’s a calm spot for a snack break. The lake has developed into a freshwater marsh habitat over time, which adds birdwatching interest for kids who can sit still long enough.
Camping at Malibu Creek: Worth the Booking Hassle?
The campground has 56 sites (26 tent-only, 30 for RVs and trailers up to 30 feet) spread around a single loop. Fees run $45 per night plus a reservation fee. Showers require tokens bought with $1 bills — each token gets you about 2-3 minutes of hot water. Flush toilets, a dump station, and laundry facilities are on-site.
The reservation system is the headache. ReserveCalifornia opens bookings six months to the day in advance, and popular summer weekends go fast. A monthly Reservation Draw program offers a lottery-style chance at select sites. Check-in is 2:00 PM, checkout is noon. Maximum eight people per site, two vehicles if they fit.
Camping here works best for families who want a full weekend: hike to the M*A*S*H site one day, explore Rock Pool and Century Lake the next, and attend the summer campfire program. But the campground is popular and quiet hours aren’t always enforced — reviews from 2024 note noise can be an issue. If you’re after a quiet nature retreat, a weekday stay or a different park may suit better.
What Families Need to Know Before Going
A few details that make or break a trip with kids:
Dogs are not allowed on dirt trails. California State Parks restricts dogs to paved areas, picnic grounds, the campground, and parking lots. If your family outing depends on bringing the dog, choose a different destination — the Calabasas Bark Park is nearby for off-leash play, but the main trails here are off-limits to pets.
No store at the campground. The closest grocery, gas, and fast food is about four miles north on Las Virgenes Road toward the 101. Pack everything you need for the day, especially water — the docent site recommends bringing more than you think, particularly if you go beyond Rock Pool.
Poison oak and rattlesnakes are present. Stay on trails, keep kids close, and teach them to recognize poison oak (three leaves, often near shaded creek areas). Ticks are also a concern in brushy spots.
Cell service is fair in the main areas but unreliable in the deeper canyon sections. Download offline maps or photograph the park map at the entrance before starting. The park has several connector trails and alternate route options, and it’s easy to take a wrong turn without a map.
Summer heat changes everything. The park sits at 550-928 feet elevation, and exposed sections of trail — especially on the fire roads — get hot by midday. Start early, ideally by 8:00 AM, and plan to be done by early afternoon. Spring offers greener hillsides and more comfortable temperatures; fall is drier but cooler; winter brings fuller creeks and better birdwatching at Century Lake.
For a broader look at what else the area offers, the Los Angeles guide covers family-friendly spots from Griffith Observatory to Redondo Beach, all within easy reach of this canyon park.
Sources
Malibu Creek State Park. California State Parks, 2026.
Malibu Creek State Park Campground Map. California State Parks, 2017.
Reservation Draw Program. California State Parks, 2026.
ReserveCalifornia. California State Parks, 2026.
Malibu Creek State Park Hike Guide. The Nightlife Hiker, 2025.
