Somewhere along a rugged trail in the Santa Monica Mountains sit the rusted vehicle wrecks from the MAS*H television set, filmed here from 1972 to 1983 and still drawing hikers decades after the show ended. But reaching the site depends entirely on a seasonal footbridge crossing Malibu Creek, one that’s been reinstalled, washed out, and reinstalled again in recent years depending on rainfall and creek conditions. If a MASH site pilgrimage is the whole point of your visit, checking current bridge status before you drive out matters more here than at almost any other California state park.
Here’s what to know about parking, the campground’s new lottery system, and current trail access before a 2026 visit.
Malibu Creek State Park Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Location | 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 |
| Park size | Over 4,000 acres |
| Gate hours | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily |
| Parking fee | $3/hour or $12 for the full day |
| Visitor Center hours | Saturdays and Sundays, 12–4 p.m. |
| Trail mileage | Over 35 miles of trails and fire roads |
| MASH site distance | About 2.7–3 miles from the main parking area |
| MASH site bridge | Seasonal — reinstalled as of April 2026; check current status before visiting |
| Camping | 56–62 sites; regular sites ~$45/night; group camp $225/night |
| New reservation system | Monthly lottery-style Reservation Draw for select high-demand campsites |
| Dog policy | Not allowed on backcountry trails or dirt roads; leashed dogs OK in day-use and campground only |
The MASH Site Bridge: Check Before You Hike
This is the single most important thing to verify before making the trek to see the old MAS*H filming location. The bridge crossing Malibu Creek to reach the site is seasonal and has repeatedly washed out during heavy rain years, only to be reinstalled once conditions allow. As of an April 2026 park posting, the bridge was reinstalled and the crossing was passable, but this status has shifted multiple times in recent seasons, and previous visitors have reported arriving to find the bridge gone entirely, with the creek too deep or fast to safely cross on foot.
Before driving out specifically to see the MASH site, check the park’s current alerts page or call ahead to confirm the bridge is in place. If it’s out, the hike itself to that area of the park remains scenic, but you won’t be able to actually reach the vehicle wrecks and set remnants without the crossing available.
Parking: Understanding the Fee Structure
Parking at Malibu Creek runs $3 per hour or a flat $12 for the full day, payable at the entrance kiosk or through an honor-system self-pay box when no attendant is present. Two main parking areas serve the park: the upper lot, closer to picnic areas and restrooms, and the lower (Main Trailhead) lot, positioned closer to the trail system and preferred by most hikers. If you’re planning a longer hike, particularly toward the MASH site or Bulldog Trail’s higher elevations, the lower lot puts you closer to your starting point.
A free alternative exists for the budget-conscious: parking at the corner of Mulholland and Las Virgenes and entering via the Grassland Trail avoids the fee entirely, though it adds distance to your hike depending on your destination within the park.
The New Reservation Draw Lottery System
This is a genuinely new development worth understanding if you’re hoping to camp here. Select high-demand campsites at Malibu Creek are now part of California State Parks’ monthly Reservation Draw program, a lottery-style system giving every applicant an equal chance at securing a reservation rather than a first-come, first-served rush the moment booking windows open. To enter an active drawing, visit the “Camping & Lodging” page on ReserveCalifornia and look for the “Enter a Lottery Drawing Today!” section, or apply by phone.
Beyond the lottery system, standard campsite reservations at Malibu Creek open exactly six months to the day before your arrival date, released day by day rather than in month-long blocks as in previous years. If you’re set on a specific summer date, mark your calendar for exactly six months out and be ready to book that same day, since popular dates fill quickly even under this newer, more granular release schedule.
Camping: Regular Sites vs. Group Camp
Standard camping at Malibu Creek runs around $45 a night across the campground’s roughly 56 to 62 sites, split between tent-only and RV/trailer-accommodating spots along a single loop. A separate group campground charges $225 a night, suited to larger gatherings needing a dedicated space rather than individual sites. Given mixed visitor feedback about site levelness and a firm 10 p.m. gate closure (with no re-entry after that point unless you’ve made specific arrangements), read current site descriptions carefully when booking and plan your evening activities to wrap up before the gate closes.
Trails: From Easy Walks to the Bulldog Challenge
With over 35 miles of trails and fire roads spread across the park’s roughly three dozen distinct routes, Malibu Creek offers genuine range for hikers of different experience levels. The Ann Skager Trail provides a fully accessible, 0.58-mile out-and-back route on paved and compacted surface, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, with views of Las Virgenes Creek and Stokes Canyon. At the far more demanding end, Bulldog Trail climbs to roughly 2,500-foot peaks, delivering panoramic ocean and mountain views but demanding real fitness and preparation to complete.
Regardless of which trail you choose, watch for poison oak along creek-adjacent sections, wear sturdy shoes given the rocky, uneven terrain in many areas, and check for closures after heavy rains, since creek crossings throughout the park can become genuinely hazardous or impassable following significant storms.
Dogs: A Firm Restriction Worth Knowing
Malibu Creek maintains one of the stricter pet policies among Southern California state parks: dogs are not allowed on backcountry trails or dirt roads anywhere in the park. Leashed dogs are permitted only in day-use areas and the campground itself. If hiking with your dog was part of your plan, this park simply won’t accommodate that specific activity beyond the immediate day-use and camping zones, so plan accordingly or choose a more dog-friendly trail system elsewhere in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I know if the bridge to the MASH site is currently passable?
Check the park’s current alerts on the official California State Parks website or call ahead before your visit, since the bridge is seasonal and has washed out multiple times in recent years depending on rainfall. Status has shifted repeatedly, so don’t assume a status from a past visit or older review still applies.
Q2. How does the new Reservation Draw lottery work for camping?
Instead of a first-come, first-served booking rush, select high-demand campsites now use a monthly lottery system through ReserveCalifornia, where all applicants have an equal chance regardless of when they applied within the entry window. Look for the “Enter a Lottery Drawing Today!” section on the Camping & Lodging page to participate.
Q3. Can I bring my dog on the hiking trails?
No. Dogs are not permitted on backcountry trails or dirt roads anywhere in the park, only in day-use areas and the campground itself on a leash. Plan pet-inclusive activities around these limited zones rather than the trail network.
Q4. Is there a way to avoid the parking fee?
Yes. Parking at the corner of Mulholland and Las Virgenes and entering via the Grassland Trail avoids the standard $3/hour or $12 daily fee, though it adds walking distance to your hike depending on your intended destination within the park.
