The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places.
Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of
trails. The park abounds with historical and cultural sites, from old movie
ranches to Native American centers. What will you and your family discover?

The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultural sites, from old movie ranches to Native American centers. What will you and your family discover?

## Overview

**Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no
estimated re-opening date.**

Are you searching for a weekend getaway with mountain overlooks and sunny,
sandy beaches? Your vacation destination may be a short drive from Los
Angeles, California! Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers
many opportunities to shake off the stresses of city life and immerse yourself
in the beauty of nature.

## Recreation

Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal
Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub
and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown
bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in
July and August.  
  
From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded
Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities.
Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain
retreat.

## Facilities

Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal
Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub
and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown
bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in
July and August.  
  
From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded
Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities.
Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain
retreat.

## Natural Features

Tucked in the canyons above Malibu and nestled below majestic Boney Mountain,
you will find Circle X Ranch. This former Boy Scout camp offers many
opportunities for exploration and adventure. Journey to Sandstone Peak, the
highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and see several of the Channel
Islands on a clear day. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a creekside picnic.
Reserve the Group Camp and listen to coyote songs at night.

## Nearby Attractions

Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a picnic at the trailhead next to the
campground. Grotto Trail 3.5 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous; no
bikes, no horses. This trail traverses hillsides and leads down to the West
Fork of the Arroyo Sequit. The trail is downhill from the Ranger Station,
which means an uphill return. The Grotto area is rugged terrain; be careful
and wear appropriate hiking attire. The last 1/8 mile is through an unimproved
streambed and dogs are not allowed. The Ranger Contact Station can provide you
with free hiking maps of Circle X Ranch. A publication of park-led activites
for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is also available. Vists
to nearby Malibu and the Pacific Ocean are just a short drive way.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p><strong>Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date.</strong></p>
<p>Are you searching for a weekend getaway with mountain overlooks and sunny, sandy beaches? Your vacation destination may be a short drive from Los Angeles, California! Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers many opportunities to shake off the stresses of city life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. </p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in July and August. <br/> <br/>
From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain retreat.<h2>Facilities</h2>
Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in July and August. <br/> <br/>
From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain retreat.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Tucked in the canyons above Malibu and nestled below majestic Boney Mountain, you will find Circle X Ranch. This former Boy Scout camp offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. Journey to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and see several of the Channel Islands on a clear day. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a creekside picnic. Reserve the Group Camp and listen to coyote songs at night.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a picnic at the trailhead next to the campground.    
Grotto Trail 3.5 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous; no bikes, no horses. This trail traverses hillsides and leads down to the West Fork of the Arroyo Sequit. The trail is downhill from the Ranger Station, which means an uphill return. The Grotto area is rugged terrain; be careful and wear appropriate hiking attire. The last 1/8 mile is through an unimproved streambed and dogs are not allowed.    
The Ranger Contact Station can provide you with free hiking maps of Circle X Ranch. A publication of park-led activites for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is also available. Vists to nearby Malibu and the Pacific Ocean are just a short drive way.

* 10-30 people $35 per night 
  * 31-50 people $75 per night 
  * 51-75 people $125 per night

CIRCLE X RANCH GROUP CAMPGROUND

Circle X Ranch Group Campground

Point Mugu Sunset

Zuma Canyon in spring.

Zuma Canyon in Spring

California poppy, Eschscholzia californica

Native Wildflowers

Paramount Ranch Night Sky

Sunset Views

Every Kid Outdoors

Equestrians on Trail

View from Sandstone Peak at Sunrise

Mountains

Malibu Creek Overlook

Leo Carrillo Beach

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Getting ready to start filming for Booneville Redemption at Paramount Ranch's Western Town!

Filming in the Santa Monica Mountains

Hike to Balanced Rock along the Mishe Mokwa Trail, located near Circle X

Balanced Roack

Visit the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center to stand under a traditional Chumash 'ap and walk through a native plant garden.

Chumash 'ap

Bird's eye view of the campground

Creek Campground (sites 1-63)

Group Camp Area

Bird's eye view of the park

Malibu Creek SP

Malibu Lagoon SB

Point Dume SB

Robert H. Meyer Memorial SB

Canyon Campground (sites 1-24, 78-133)

Canyon Campground (sites 25-77, 134-139)

Canyon Group Camp

Leo Carrillo SP

Topanga SP

Santa Susana Pass SHP

Will Rogers SB

Will Rogers SHP

Los Encinos SHP

Santa Monica SB

La Jolla Group

Sycamore Campground

Thornhill Broome Campground

Point Mugu SP

The Sepulveda Dam's recreation facilities are managed by the City of Los
Angeles Parks. The site has no permanent pool, but the sports facilities,
including golf and tennis, draw many to this urban project in the San Fernando
Valley area of Los Angeles.

The Sepulveda Dam's recreation facilities are managed by the City of Los Angeles Parks. The site has no permanent pool, but the sports facilities, including golf and tennis, draw many to this urban project in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.