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

    Santa Monica Mountains

    National Recreation Area California

There are park alerts in effect.
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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 »

Backbone Trail (BBT)

Hikers cross Eagle Junction on the Backbone Trail.

Photo by Jim Belsley

Interested in Hiking the Backbone Trail next year?

Signups for the NPS led 8 day (2 Saturdays a month, Jan thru April) hike of the Backbone Trail, start on October 1. The date has been moved up to allow more time for hikers to prepare for the rigors on the BBT hikes. Use the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page and say you want to sign up for the Backbone Trail Hike.

The Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council will offer a one week hike of the BBT in May 2013. Sign-ups will start early next year (January or Feburary). Information will be on their website : www.smmtc.org soon.

You can also check through these pages to learn about the different sections and download GPS coordinates to create your own BBT hike.

You can also learn more by reading the Backbone Trail Ranger's Blog from the annual hike series. You can also check out the links to your left as well.

Wide landscapes lead to views of the many types of plant communities.

photo by jim belsley

About the Backbone Trail

You will see how many public and private agencies, organizations and individuals have joined together to create Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in general and the Backbone Trail in particular and must continue as partners in its management efforts.

As individuals you can help support the park in many ways. You can share your knowledge by telling others about the parks and events. You can increase your knowledge by attending programs and lectures listed in Outdoors, the quarterly calendar of Santa Monica Mountains events published by the National Park Service. You can contribute your time by becoming a State or National park volunteer. You can help maintain the Backbone Trail and other trails by volunteering for trail projects with the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council.

BBT Map Image
Click on the picture of the map to get the Backbone Trail brochure and guide.

As hikers on this trail you will benefit from our Mediterranean eco-system, found only in five places in the world, experincing its many unique plant and animal communites. By being able to escape from city life, you enjoy the health benefits of hiking and learning a lot about our own unique area. You will also learn some history of the area through the trail as you travel through Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Oak Woodlands, Meadows, and Streamside areas.

We hope you will enjoy your traverse of the Santa Monica Mountains on the Backbone Trail.

If after you have read through the Backbone Trail (BBT) information and still have questions, please contact us and an experienced BBT hiker will respond to your question.

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.