Paramount Ranch: Scenic Trails and Nature
Sunny day at Paramount Ranch
Paramount Ranch is one of those hidden gems you hear mentioned in passing. People know it as a filming location, a place to go horseback riding, and a spot to take pictures of Western Town before it was destroyed by fire.
There’s a lot more to explore here than its reputation might lead you to believe. The grounds are deceptively large, and the dog-friendly trails make for a perfect few hours spent outdoors.
Paramount Ranch: Old Western Town
One of the big draws to visit Paramount Ranch was to see Western Town. Back in the 1920s, Paramount Pictures set up a filming location here in the Santa Monica Mountains. Later, a permanent western town was built after Paramount sold the ranch. Although it was originally intended for mostly Westerns, the area has also served as a stand-in for other locations and continued to be used for more recent productions, such as Westworld.
The church still stands after the Woolsey Fire
In 1980, the National Park Service purchased Paramount Ranch. While it continued to be a location for film and television productions, as an NPS park, it remained open to the public for trail use and for visiting the “town” up close. Picnicking, biking, and horseback riding were also permitted. People even got married here!
Woolsey Fire
We were able to visit a few times while Western Town was still intact. If you’ve never had a chance to freely explore a studio backlot, this was the next best thing. Walking around, you could easily pretend you had stepped back in time and let your imagination do the rest.
Our last visit to the Old West was in 2016, two years before the Woolsey Fire. My pics from that day are included to show what once was as you entered.
On November 9, 2018, the fire tore through the area. From Agoura Hills to Malibu, the damage was severe, and Western Town was obliterated. The only buildings left standing were the church and the train station.
Rebuilding Western Town
In the area where the town formerly stood, the current plan is to build new structures that can be used as event spaces and for filming. Later phases mention there will be set construction for both temporary structures and more long-standing ones.
It’s been a slow process, but the first phase is already underway and expected to wrap up in late 2024. The good news is the park and trails are open for public use while construction is happening. And construction is not set to take place on the weekends.
It’s a bit of an eyesore for now upon entry, but once you hit the trails, you will have nothing but nature and views to enjoy.
Paramount Ranch Details
The entrance to Paramount Ranch is off Cornell Road, but depending on which direction you’re coming from, you may only have a very tiny sign warning you that it’s coming up on your left. The larger park sign is not located at the entrance, and only traffic coming from the other direction would see it in time to turn.
Parking is free and the lot is large. It is mostly dirt, however, so expect some muddy spots and deep puddles if you come after it rains.
Near the parking area and park entry
There are restrooms and a ranger station near the lot. There is also accessible water to fill your water bottles at a nearby fountain. Be sure you have plenty of it, especially if you’re bringing your dog. The area can get hot quickly and there is not a lot of shade on the open trails.
Ready, Set, Know
Address: 2903 Cornell Rd Agoura Hills, CA, 91301
Parking Hours: 8 AM - Sunset
Admission: Free
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on a leash
Restrooms: Yes, permanent facilities with running water
Water: Yes, there is a fountain near the ranger station
Paramount Ranch Trails
The National Park Service has a fantastic Paramount Ranch trail map that I highly recommend referring to before and during your visit. From my experience, some trails are more popular than others, and you will have multiple points where you can decide which direction you want to take after coming to a fork in the road.
One of the small bridges after entering the park
There are trails on both sides of the parking lot and Medea Creek. You can even venture into nearby Malibu Creek State Park via crossing Mulholland Highway and taking the Regan Ranch Access trail, but do know that unlike Paramount Ranch, dogs are not permitted on the trails in Malibu Creek State Park. However, they do allow them in the campgrounds.
We’re creatures of habit to an extent, and always take the Medea Creek Bridge into the Paramount Ranch side of the park as our starting point. From there, we often mix it up and have taken various loops over the years.
If you take the Coyote Canyon Trail with a dog, you may not want to go all the way up the largest incline past the picnic bench. That elevated section gets steep, and the loose rocks can cause your feet to slide out from under you. Personally, I prefer this part of the trail without our dog. One, because he’s a big dog and wouldn’t be easy to carry to safety if he fell. Two, because if your feet slip, you definitely want your hands free to steady yourself. Hiking down from the top was one of the few times I really wished I’d had hiking poles with me.
The flat section of Coyote Canyon Trail
That said, most of the trails in the park are easy to moderate, and at times, may even feel like a leisurely stroll through green hills and meadows. Dogs (and everyone else) should stay on trails to be safe, and there is wildlife of all kinds that you may see as you venture deeper.
Our favorite hiking path, which we have still enjoyed following the fires, is to take the Hacienda Trail and then some variation of the Medicine Woman Trail, Backdrop Trail, and/or Bwana Trail. Your choices will determine how long or short your hike is, so have some idea of your route, amount of water, the expected temperatures, and both you and your dog’s stamina.
One view from the trails
After heavy rainfall, some of these trails may have water to cross. Check with the ranger station to see what the current conditions are before setting out. They can also give you a heads up if any of the trails are closed or should be avoided.
As mentioned, horses and bikes are allowed on most of the trails. As a hiker, you are meant to yield to horses and bikers are supposed to yield to you. Unfortunately, that isn’t always something they are aware of or adhere to, so it’s best if you occasionally glance around to keep you and your pup out of harm’s way.
