• Afternoon clouds cover the distance peaks of the iconic Boney Mountain

    Santa Monica Mountains

    National Recreation Area California

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  • Partial Park Closure Due to Hazardous Conditions

    Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa re-opens 5/14/13, with restrictions (sunrise to sunset, not all trails). Sandstone Peak & Mishe Mokwa trails will also open, as will Backbone Trail east of Point Mugu State Park boundary. Point Mugu backcountry remains closed. More »

  • Trucks on Cheeseboro Canyon Trail

    Occasional truck traffic (approx 6 trips per day) will take place on Cheeseboro Cyn Trail weekdays between 8am & 4pm for demolition and removal of Cheeseboro Tank. Should be completed by 5/24/13. Check back for updates or call 818-889-8996. More »

Firearms in the National Recreation Area

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally posses firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms on lands administered by the National Park Service in this recreation area.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, federal firearms laws before entering this park.

As a starting point, please visit California's firearms web site: California DOJ Bureau of Firearms. You may also download a copy of California's Firearms Laws Summary Booklet for further information.

Federal law still prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances. Some of the main facilities in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that prohibit firearms are:

  • Circle X Contact Station
  • Diamond X Maintenance Facility
  • Diamond X Sign Shop
  • Paramount Ranch Fire Station
  • Paramount Ranch Ranger Station
  • Rancho Sierra Vista Education Offices
  • Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Visitor Center
  • Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Administrative Offices
  • Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center

Addition Resources

For more information you can download the following documents:
Public Law 111-24 Section 512
Information for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Adobe Reader is required to download all documents. Click here to visit Adobe's web site.

Did You Know?

Watch the credits a the end of a film and you may discover how often national parks are used by the movie industry.

Unique vistas and cultural significance often draw filmmakers to National Parks. Paramount Ranch is the only place in the National Park System where you can see movie making in action at a historic movie ranch once owned by Paramount Pictures (1927).