National Park Service Sites

Zuma & Trancas Canyons National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area The Chumash were the first people to experience the incredible landscape and diversity of plant and animal life in Zuma and Trancas Canyons. The name “zuma” is derived from the Chumash language and means “abundance.” The abundant expressions of nature in this Mediterranean ecosystem continue to inspire visitors to explore our park by hiking, horseback riding, or biking. Voice of the Chaparral Information and Safety As the largest piece of federal parkland in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Zuma and Trancas Canyons offers a variety of trails. Journey deep into these canyons and discover a perennial creek and riparian habitat. Hike through chaparral, look for basking lizards, and enjoy a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. You might also see deer, rabbits, coyotes, hawks, jays, tree-frogs, and even the occasional bobcat. 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). STAY ON ESTABLISHED TRAILS and off of private property. NATURAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES including rocks, plants, and animals are protected by law and may not be collected or disturbed. Weapons, nets, and traps are not allowed in parklands. UNAUTHORIZED MOTORIZED VEHICLES are not permitted on trails or fire roads. TRAIL CLOSURES will be in effect during and following extreme weather or hazardous conditions. Zuma & Trancas Canyons Zuma Ridge Parking Lot North end of Busch Dr off of Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA, 90265 The parking area at the end of Bonsall Drive is open from 8:00 AM – sunset. All other parking areas are not gated. Canyons are also accessible via Encinal Canyon Road and Kanan-Dume Road. Listen closely for one of our Zuma and Trancas celebrities: the shy wrentit. Though rarely seen, its call sounds like a ping-pong ball echoing through the canyon. This call has earned this little bird the nickname “Voice of the Chaparral.” BE PREPARED by taking water, food, flashlight and first-aid supplies. Be alert for ticks, bees, rattlesnakes, and poison oak. Let someone know where you are going. FIRE is a year-round concern. Campfires and barbecues are prohibited. During times of high fire danger, smoking and all fires are not permitted. WATER that comes from streams is not safe to drink due to possible contamination or the presence of the giardia protozoan. 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. CELL PHONE SERVICE can be unreliable in the canyons. 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. O AD RO Upper Zuma Falls (seasonal) NY N Y WA MUL HOLLAND HIGH EN C AL CIN A P ri v a t e P rop e rty Bac kb on Paved road Parking Fire road Water Trail Restrooms Backbone Trail Gate National Park Service Land Limited access Other Public Parklands Creek e Tr il T a (overflow parking) rail on e Newton Canyon Backb LA TIG O P ri v a t e P ro p e rt y Tunnel 1 (Buzzard's Roost) K A N Z um a so n -D di E AN d oa (No Public Access) Tra n ca a s Edison Ro U RO Zuma Loop Trail idg ed ) dison Road aR Kanan-E Z um Zuma Canyon Connector Trail ma Canyon Trail Zu il Tra h n as tai um (unmain h C Scenic Trail eT rai l View yon Can Trail Ridge-Canyon Access Trail HW Y DR RAINSFORD PL R AST North B ON SAL L CO Ocea ie w nV (Horse) HD SC BU IC Tr ail P ri v a t e P ro p e rt y 0 Trail Information Directions to Zuma Canyon Trailhead parking lot (open 8am to sunset): Pacific Coast Hwy to Busch Drive (near Zuma Beach). Go north on Busch Drive. Turn right on Rainsford Place. Turn left on Bonsall Drive. Parking lot at end of road. l Easy n Moderate t Strenuous AD (Horse) ia n Ind CIF D d P rivate Prop e rt y PA RO A ME R CA N YO N 0.5 1.0 miles Ocean View Trail and Canyon View Trail n 3-mile loop; no bikes—These trails extend from the Zuma Canyon Trail and wind through chaparral covered slopes, offering ocean views. The trails feature partially woody shrubs called “coastal sage scrub” because of their flexible leaves and stems. Backbone Trail l to n 2.5 miles to Zuma Ridge Trail—This trail begins at the Newton Canyon Parking Lot on Kanan-Dume Road. The winding trail leads to a view of Upper Zuma Falls, which are especially grand after the winter rains. Watch out for poison oak along wet areas. Zuma Loop Trail l to n 2.0 miles; no bikes— Traveling along the base of Zuma Canyon, this trail features large and graceful sycamore, oak, willow and black walnut trees in a rare hardwood riparian environment. Also, discover dry wash plant communities that have the ability to bend under the weight of raging flood waters, ensuring their survival year after year. Zuma Ridge Trail n to t 6.0 miles— This fire road begins at the Busch Drive parking lot and ascends to Encinal Canyon Road along the ridge between Zuma and Trancas Canyons. Enjoy views of the ocean and the plant and animal life present in this core habitat of our Mediterranean ecosystem. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™ printed on 100% recycled paper