How to Hike to the MASH Location in Malibu Creek State Park

Goat Buttes in Malibu Creek State Park

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In 1974, the 20th Century Fox Film Ranch was combined with land owned by Ronald Reagan and Bob Hope to create 4,000-acre Malibu Creek State Park. Just 25 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in the City of Calabasas, there are 15 miles of stream-side trails through oak and sycamore woodlands surrounded by chaparral-covered slopes. Through the years, the park has served as a renowned film and television location, doubling as the African Savannah for the mini-series "Roots" and as the parallel world of the 1960's "Planet of the Apes". It is most famous as the location of the beloved "MASH" television series. This moderate, 4-mile, round-trip hike will lead you to the Goat Buttes, which served as the backdrop for the landing helicopter during the opening credits, and then to the wide plain where the camp was set up.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat
Sunscreen
Bottle of water

How to Hike to the MASH Location in Malibu Creek State Park

Step1

Malibu Creek State Park is located four miles south of the 101 Freeway or six miles north of the Pacific Coast Highway, at 1925 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas. The park is open dawn till dusk, seven days a week with a visitor's center open on weekends only.

Step2

The park entrance is on the west side of Las Virgenes Road where you stop at a kiosk and must pay $8.00 to park.

Step3

The trail begins at the edge of the parking lot. Walk down to the wide dirt trail and just follow the creek as it winds through the park. The "MASH" set itself has been sent to the Smithsonian, but after a leisurely two mile stroll on flat ground, you'll arrive at the iconic Goat Buttes where the helicopter landed in the opening credits flanked by the wide plain where the camp itself was set up.

Step4

There are many other beautiful hikes in the park, notably the one leading to a dramatic 400-foot gorge and rock pool where scenes from Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson" were shot. The park also features hiking, fishing, bird watching and horseback riding opportunities.