Griffith Park is one of the largest city parks in the United States, covering more than 4,000 acres of hills and canyons in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. Inside it you will find Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greek Theatre, a train museum, golf courses and a large network of trails with views of the Hollywood Sign and Downtown. This guide covers hours, the best walks, what is open and closed as of October 2026, and how to get there.
In this guide
It is part of our outdoor activities in Los Angeles guide. For more trails, see our best hikes in Los Angeles list.
Griffith Park at a glance
- Park hours 5am to 10:30pm daily
- Trails About 53 miles of hiking paths, fire roads and bridle trails; trails close at dusk
- Size Over 4,000 acres
- Free Park entry, trails, observatory building and Travel Town
- Closed for now The merry-go-round (restoration) and the old pony ride site
- Transit B Line to Vermont/Sunset, then the DASH Observatory bus
Hours and rules
The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks lists the park as open daily from 5am to 10:30pm. Hiking trails close at dusk, and horse trails close at sunset. Smoking is not allowed, and the park can close during Red Flag fire warnings. Dogs must stay on a leash.
Best walks and hikes
Mount Hollywood from the observatory
The Charlie Turner Trailhead at the north end of the observatory parking area is the most popular starting point. The wide trail crosses a bridge over the road and climbs to the top of Mount Hollywood, with views of the Hollywood Sign, Downtown and on clear days the ocean. Hiking guides put it at about 1.4 miles each way. There is little shade, so start early.
Fern Dell
Fern Dell, near the Los Feliz Boulevard entrance at Western Avenue, is a shaded, stream-side walk among ferns and sycamores. The lower loop is short and easy, and you can continue uphill through Western Canyon to the observatory if you want a climb. It is a good option on a hot day.
Bronson Caves
The Bronson Caves are a short tunnel in a former quarry at the top of Canyon Drive, off Franklin Avenue. They have appeared in many films and TV shows, including the 1960s Batman series as the Batcave. The walk from the parking area is short and mostly flat, and there is a view of the Hollywood Sign on the way.
Hollywood Sign views
You cannot walk to the sign itself, which is fenced. Trails in Griffith Park give some of the best views. See our Hollywood Sign guide for viewpoints and rules.
Attractions in the park
Griffith Observatory
The observatory sits on the south slope of Mount Hollywood. The building, exhibits and public telescopes are free, while planetarium shows cost extra. It is open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 10pm and weekends from 10am to 10pm, and it is closed Mondays. Read our Griffith Observatory guide for parking and the DASH bus.
Los Angeles Zoo
The zoo is in the northeast corner of the park, near the 5 and 134 freeways, with the Autry Museum of the American West across the parking lot. See our Los Angeles Zoo guide.
Travel Town Museum
Travel Town, near the park’s north side off Zoo Drive, is a free outdoor museum of steam locomotives and railroad cars that kids can climb on. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. A separate miniature train ride runs there for a small fee; check its hours, since it does not run every day.
Greek Theatre
The Greek Theatre is an outdoor concert venue on Vermont Avenue, with shows mostly from spring to fall. Parking and traffic are heavy on show nights, which also affects observatory visitors.
What is closed
The Griffith Park merry-go-round is closed while the city plans its restoration, with no reopening date announced. The pony rides near the Los Feliz entrance are no longer operating.
Golf, tennis and picnics
The park has public golf courses, including Wilson and Harding near the zoo end, along with tennis courts, playgrounds and many picnic areas with tables. Crystal Springs, along Crystal Springs Drive, has large lawns and is an easy place to spread out a blanket. Reserve group picnic sites through Recreation and Parks if you are bringing a crowd.
Wildlife
Griffith Park is a wild space surrounded by city. Coyotes, deer, hawks and many smaller animals live here. The park became famous as the home of P-22, a mountain lion who crossed two freeways to reach it and lived in the park for about a decade before he died in 2022. Keep your distance from any animal, never feed wildlife, and keep dogs leashed and close, especially at dawn and dusk.
Getting there
By car
Main entrances are off Los Feliz Boulevard, Vermont Avenue, Riverside Drive and Zoo Drive, and from Canyon Drive on the Hollywood side. There are many free lots in the park, but the paid lots near the observatory fill early on weekends and holidays.
By transit
Take the Metro B Line to Vermont/Sunset and catch the DASH Observatory bus up Vermont Avenue to the observatory. Check LADOT for current fares and times. See our LA Metro guide.
Tips for visiting
Griffith Park tips
- Start hikes early in the day; trails are exposed and get hot.
- Carry water, sunscreen and a hat, and wear shoes with grip.
- Stay on marked trails and watch for rattlesnakes.
- Check for Red Flag Warning closures on hot, windy days.
- Weekend parking near the observatory is tight; try a weekday or arrive by transit.
- Pair a morning hike with a sunset visit to the observatory.
A day in Griffith Park
Start at Fern Dell in the morning and walk up through Western Canyon to the observatory. Continue to the top of Mount Hollywood, then head back down for lunch in Los Feliz. In the afternoon, drive to Travel Town or the zoo with kids, or rest before returning to the observatory for sunset and the telescopes. Our 3-day Los Angeles itinerary includes a version of this plan.
Frequently asked questions
What are Griffith Park’s hours?
The park is open daily from 5am to 10:30pm. Hiking trails close at dusk.
Is Griffith Park free?
Yes. Entry, trails, the observatory building and Travel Town are free. The zoo, planetarium shows and some parking cost extra.
What is the best hike in Griffith Park?
The trail from the observatory to Mount Hollywood is the most popular, with views of the Hollywood Sign and Downtown.
Can you hike to the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Park?
You can hike to viewpoints near it, but the sign itself is fenced off.
Can I bring my dog to Griffith Park?
Yes, on a leash. Dogs are allowed on the trails, but bring water for them, since there is little shade and the trails get hot. Dogs are not allowed inside the observatory or the zoo.
Is the Griffith Park merry-go-round open?
No. It is closed while the city plans its restoration, and no reopening date has been announced.
Official sources: Griffith Park, LA Recreation and Parks; Griffith Observatory; Travel Town Museum; Los Angeles Zoo; Greek Theatre; LADOT DASH.
Photo credits
Featured image: Downtowngal / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0