National Park Service Sites

Cheeseboro & Palo Comado Canyons National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area The gently rounded hills and canyons of Cheeseboro and Palo Comado are older than the steeper, more recently formed Santa Monica Mountains and provide popular terrain for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. An Altered Landscape For over 150 years, ranchers made these canyons their home. Many of the native plants, poorly adapted to heavy grazing, were replaced with European annuals such as wild oats, mustard, and thistles. Despite numerous years of cattle grazing, we can still find a variety of native plant communities, including chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and riparian woodlands. You can stroll to Sulphur Springs or hike to the top of Simi Peak to view the cities you’ve left behind. Enjoy a picnic under the canopy of an oak or take binoculars to go birding. Oak trees and sedimentary rock areas provide excellent nesting sites for owls, hawks, and other raptors. Keep an eye out for deer, bobcats, coyotes, and rabbits. Information and Safety TRAIL ETIQUETTE Hikers should yield to equestrians. Equestrians should communicate with passing hikers and bicyclists. Horses should not graze or leave the trail. Remove manure from parking areas. Bicyclists should ride courteously and yield to hikers and equestrians; speed limit is 15 mph unless conditions require a slower speed. Bicyclists and equestrians are allowed on designated trails only (avoid social trails and fire lines). If listening to music, bicyclists may wear only one earbud. BE PREPARED by taking water, food, map, flashlight, and first-aid supplies. Be alert for ticks, bees, rattlesnakes, and poison oak. NATURAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES including rocks, plants, and animals are protected by law and may not be collected or disturbed. Do not climb on structures. Weapons, nets, and traps are not allowed in parklands. FIRE is a year-round concern. Campfires and barbecues are prohibited. During high fire conditions, smoking and all flame sources are not permitted. TRAIL CLOSURES will be in effect during and following extreme weather or hazardous conditions. PETS must be under control and on a leash, not to exceed 6 feet, at all times. Pick up after your pet. Pets are not allowed off trail. VEHICLES are restricted to designated roads and parking areas. Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyons 5792 Chesebro Rd Agoura, CA, 91301 The main parking area is open from 8:00 AM – sunset. Respect private property and park in designated areas. Photo Courtesy of Herbert Petermann © FOR MORE INFORMATION Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center 26876 Mulholland Hwy Calabasas CA 91302 805-370-2301 www.nps.gov/samo EMERGENCIES Call 911. For a ranger, call Angeles Dispatch at 661-723-3620. Private Proper t y Alberson Mo to rway (trail open for public use) To L an g R an c h Par k way Sheep Corral Simi Peak Trail Palo Co mad o Can yo Shee China Flat Trail (unmainta rail nT Simi Peak 2403' China Flat p Co rral Trail d ine ) Baleen Wall cto ne Ranch Center Con L E T R EE R D Y CR SUNN EST SMOKE Paved road r DR TR EE AV E lo Pa Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail n Trail Trail de lo Mo ROAD MAIN PARK ENTRANCE Restroom es eb o ro l o Sp Mo de Locked gate Ch e Historic Morrison Ranch House on R an ch Tr ail SE BR OR D Picnic area Mo rris AD S RO Parking Canyon Vi ur No Access T ew rail Other Public Parkands LAS VIRGENE KANAN Trail Can yon Tra il Comado Can yo Fire road National Park Service Land rail on T Cany a il eseboro Ridge Tr Che Private Proper t y D OUB es Virgen Sulphur Springs as per L Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Parkland o Trail on ny Ca ro RO DE LIN CANYON RD seb Up Che e Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Open Space Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve Shepherds' Flat VENTU North R A FR E E Equestrian Parking CH E WAY CHESEBRO RD 0 0.5 mile PALO COMADO CANYON RD Trail Information Directions to main parking lot (open 8am to sunset): Ventura Freeway (101) to Chesebro Rd exit. Turn north on Palo Comado Canyon Rd then turn right on Chesebro Rd. Go north 0.75 mile to park entrance. Turn right and follow road to parking lot. l Easy n Moderate t Strenuous Canyon View Trail t 0.75 mile—This trail splits to the east of the Cheeseboro Canyon Trail and climbs to a knoll above the Calabasas landfill. You can see most of Cheeseboro Canyon by looking west. Cheeseboro Canyon Trail l 4.6 miles— Follow an old ranch road along a streambed through a valley oak savannah and coast live oak riparian zone. A picnic area is located 1.6 miles from the parking lot. At 3.3 miles, you will smell the odor of rotten eggs due to the sulphur present in Sulphur Springs. Modelo Spur n 0.75 mile—This trail meanders up from the parking lot through grasslands to a lone coast live oak on the ridge. Follow the trail east and join the Cheeseboro Canyon Trail. 101 Modelo Trail l 1.0 mile—Starting at the ridge line of the Modelo Spur and continuing north along the ridge, this pathway offers views of both canyons. This trail ends at the Palo Comado Connector Trail where you can turn right to travel east towards Cheeseboro Canyon, or left to travel west towards Palo Comado Canyon. Palo Comado Canyon Trail t 6.0 miles— For 1.2 miles enjoy a gentle stroll along a creek to the old ranch center. A mile past the ranch site, you will climb from 1,200 feet elevation to the scenic China Flat at 2,140 feet elevation. Simi Peak Trail n 0.75 mile—This trail winds from China Flat to Simi Peak, the highest point in the area. Enjoy a spectacular view of Oak Park, Agoura Hills, and Simi Valley. Ranch Center Connector t 1.1 miles— This trail crosses a chaparral hillside and connects Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyons. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™ printed on 100% recycled paper