• 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 »

Spirit of the Mountains Photo Contest Announced

2011 People's Choice Winner: "Five-star Sunset"
Greg Clure's submission, "Five-star Sunset," won the People's Choice award in the 2011 Spirit of the Mountains photo contest.
Courtesy of Greg Clure

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Date: September 21, 2012
Contact: Kate Kuykendall, 805-370-2343

CALABASAS, Calif. -- Entries are now being accepted for the Spirit of the Mountains 2012 Photo Contest sponsored by the National Park Service. The annual show features a wide variety of amateur photo subjects captured throughout Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

"Each year we are amazed by the ability of local photographers to capture the beauty and mystique of the Santa Monica Mountains," said park spokesperson Kate Kuykendall. "The submissions never cease to amaze and inspire, and we're sure this year's contest will be no different."

This year's submissions will be on display from October 20 through November 24 at the new Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas.

Entry forms and instructions are available at the visitor center or online at www.nps.gov/samo/photocontest.htm. Deadline for submission is Saturday, Oct. 6. Contest judges are well-known professional photographers.

Winners will be announced at the exhibit opening Saturday, October 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the visitor center.

Submissions are limited to two photos per amateur photographer. For more information, contact the National Park Service at 805-370-2301.

About Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/samo.

Did You Know?

The city of Los Angeles can be seen from many scenic view points in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Comprising 153,075 acres, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the world's largest urban national park. It has more area codes (5) and zip codes (26), including the notable 90210 zip code of Beverly Hills, than any other unit in the National Park System.