• 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 »

Horse Safety & Etiquette

Equestrians and Bicyclists yield to one another on a trail in Cheeseboro.

Part of having an enjoyable experience in the Santa Monica Mountains is ensuring that everyone is safe. Riding a horse in a multi-use enviroment requires even a higher level of awareness. Remember, safety starts with the individual!

Reading and following these tips will make sure we keep our parks a plesant place to visit.


Safety

· Stay on maintained trails and observe all posted signs.

· It is best to ride with a buddy and tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

· Watch for overhanging branches from shrubs and trees.

· Keep horses at a walk when passing other visitors and stay to the uphill side.

· Carry first-aid and your vet’s phone number in case of emergency.

· Bring water for yourself and have water in your trailer for your horse. Stream water may not be suitable for all horses, and is unavailable in many areas.

· Walking dogs while riding horses is not advised since dogs must always be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. (*Dogs are not allowed on State Park backcountry trails.)

· Loose horses are not permitted on park trails.

Etiquette

· Be courteous to other trail users. Hikers and bikers should yield to horses, but may be unaware of protocol.

· Horses are only permitted to walk, trot, or canter on park trails. Galloping is not permitted.

· Horses are not permitted in picnic areas, campsites, and lawn areas.

· Please, do not lunge horses in park.

· Manure must be picked up from parking lots and other developed areas.

Resource Protection

· Horses are allowed only on designated trails. They must keep out of ponds and only cross streams at designated trail crossings. Off-trail use is not permitted.

· DO NOT tie horses to trees. Please use hitching posts or ground tie or hobble.

· After rains, check with national and/or state parks for trail conditions and closures. Trail use is not recommended when trails are wet and prone to damage.

· Grazing is not permitted.

Did You Know?

The need for plants used in restoration projects loomed large for many years, but volunteers made it happen.

A core group of dedicated National Park volunteers, often laboring in the hot sun, built a native plant nursery from the ground up in 2002. Native plants, from the common Ceanothus to the endangered Lyons pygmy daisy germinated in this volunteer-run nursery will help restore disturbed habitat.