National Park Service Santa Monica Mountains U.S. Department of the Interior Santa Monica Mountains Backbone Trail National Recreation Area
Castro Crest
Mountains to the Sea What ancient creature laid upon the earth, slowly eroding and permitting our feet to walk across its spine? The Santa Monica Mountains once rose upwards of 10,000 feet in elevation, but millions of years of geologic forces have shaped and weathered these ridges, leaving behind beautiful rock outcrops and hidden pockets of wildness. Today the 67-mile Backbone Trail links east to west, inviting all to explore the riches of the mountains.
Decades in the Making For millennia, trails have crossed the Santa of the Backbone Trail, creating an unbroken Monica Mountains, but not until the 1970s trail experience through the best protected did people first propose to link the western stretch of coastal Mediterranean habitat in the and eastern ends by footpath. The creation of world. This unique environment, combined a national recreation area in 1978 and a shared with easy access from a major metropolitan area, vision among federal, state, and local partners allowed for the official National Recreation made this idea a possibility. Years of hard work Trail designation in 2016. No matter one’s on and off the trail made it a reality. In 2016, interest or ability, there’s something for staff and volunteers completed the last section everyone along the Backbone Trail.
Plan Your Visit Because the trail crosses multiple land jurisdictions, trail sections may have different names, access, and regulations. Pick your route and plan ahead so you can safely enjoy the trail.
INFORMATION and maps are available at the Santa CAMP SITES are extremely limited along the Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center in Backbone Trail. Since camping outside of designated Calabasas, CA. Current conditions and trip-planning campgrounds is prohibited, thru-hiking is not possible resources are also found at: at this time. Existing camp sites differ widely in their www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/backbonetrail.htm amenities and were not designed to support thru- hiking. A forthcoming Trail Management Plan will BE PREPARED by taking water, food, map, flashlight, propose backcountry camps along the trail that would and first-aid supplies. Water is not available at most be managed through a permit system. Public comment trailheads. Be alert for ticks, bees, rattlesnakes, and on the environmental review document for the plan is poison oak. expected in 2017, and pending outcome of the public review, possible construction in the years that follow. WILDFIRE is a year-round concern. Fires of any kind are not permitted on the trail. For current restrictions and fire danger level, visit the homepage at: www.nps.gov/samo
DOGS are permitted on trails managed by the National Park Service and must be on leash and under control. Dogs are not allowed on most trails managed by California State Parks.
MOUNTAIN BIKES are permitted on certain sections of the Backbone Trail. Refer to the map on the other side and follow posted signage. Yield to hikers and equestrian riders.
HORSES are allowed on the Backbone Trail, though some sections are narrow, especially Saddle Peak MORE INFORMATION (Malibu Creek State Park) and Chicken Ridge Bridge Santa Monica Mountains (Topanga State Park). Contact the appropriate land Interagency Visitor Center agency to determine the current conditions. 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA, 91302 Boney Mountain, viewed from the (805) 370-2301 trail east of Yerba Buena Road T USAND A S
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Parking Restrooms Backbone Trail Santa Monica National Park Hikers, Bikers, Equestrians Mountains National Service Recreation Area Campground Drinking Water authorized boundary Backbone Trail Backcountry Equestrian Parking Hikers and Equestrians. Other public campground No bikes allowed. Mulholland Scenic Corridor parkland Other trails
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
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Parking Restrooms Backbone Trail Santa Monica National Park Hikers, Bikers, Equestrians Mountains National Service Recreation Area Campground Drinking Water authorized boundary Backbone Trail Backcountry Equestrian Parking Hikers and Equestrians. Other public campground No bikes allowed. Mulholland Scenic Corridor parkland Other trails