Frequently Asked Questions

  • Users can contact our Parks Facilities Call Center at 877-601-4850 to report any trail related issue. The Center is set up to receive request/concerns for service and then create a work order that is quickly dispatched to alert our maintenance staff of the need. Users can also download a free app (iPhone or Android) to report and track services at http://dpw.lacounty.gov/theWorks. The department’s new "The Works" app offers a point-and-shoot approach to cleaning up quality of life nuisances in County territory, including illegal dumping, graffiti, overgrown brush and trees, and other trail related issues. Once the free app is downloaded, users can use the camera on their phone to send our Call Center an instant image of the problem, get a ticket number and keep tabs on how the issue is resolved. (It’s also possible to send a message about the problem anonymously and without including a photo.) 

  • Yes. The Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation promotes volunteer participation in trail stewardship programs and support all stakeholder organizations that promote good trail stewardship, such as Adopt-a-Trail programs, Mounted Assistance Unit patrols, and assistance from natural areas volunteer docents. For more information, check out our volunteer page: https://trails.lacounty.gov/Volunteer

  • The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation initiated the development of a Trails Manual in July 2010 and was soon adopted by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors on May 17, 2011. This Trails Manual provides a process and guidelines to ensure quality planning and design that recognizes the opportunities and constraints represented by diverse topography and the physical environment; provides construction guidelines to ensure proper drainage and minimizes erosion; and specifies maintenance procedures to ensure the protection of natural resources.

  • The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation manages the recreation system with funding provided by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors for planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of recreation facilities and programs. A successful County wide trails program requires continual, broad-based and expanding sources of funding that are regularly available in order to establish and maintain a balanced program for planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, and management of trails. Through leveraging available state and federal grant programs and the use of matching grant opportunities makes it possible to fund deferred maintenance, relocation and rehabilitation of old trails and to address increasing trail use.

  • A multi-use trail accommodates hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians on the same path. When trail conditions require a right of way for safe passage, equestrian users have the primary right of way, hikers next and then cyclists. When trail conditions allow and when there is width to safely pass, common courtesy should prevail for all users. Stand to one side of the trail and allow them to pass. Ask for permission to pass. Mountain bikes and OHV yield to all trail users. Anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. When in a group, avoid blocking the trail. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. In general, strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one.

  • Please consider the weather. The weather will influence the style of clothing you should wear. You want to stay comfortable and protected while on the trails. A great tip is to wear layered clothing, which is essentially layers of clothing, this way you can change your clothes quickly and simply and allow for maximum comfort. You might also want to consider length and wear something breathable and long on a hot day. This will help protect your skin from sunburn, being scratched, or bitten, thus keeping you safe and cool. As for headgear, it is always recommended to wear a hat to protect from sunburn or to act as protection from rain. Sunglasses with a high UV protection are also recommended.

  • Visit the individual trail page on this website to read about the trail you plan to explore and view the vital trail information such as trail surface types, elevation gain, and the current weather and to view photos of the trail. If applicable, you will see any current alerts for the trail. If you want to read about what others trail users think of the trails, read the user reviews for a particular trail. The information provide on these pages should help you determine if the trail is appropriate for you.

  • A GPS is not needed to have a safe and pleasurable trail experience, but if you have one, there are some major advantages. A GPS device can serve as your primary mode of navigation and help you stay on the trail. Additionally, nowadays most smartphones have full GPS capability onboard, the only problem might be that in the mountains or canyons the coverage might be very patchy.

  • Yes, on each individual trail page you will find a downloadable and printable QuickGuide which includes a map of the trail with vital information such as a description of the trail, trail length, allowed uses, trail surface type, an elevation profile and photos of the trails to help you plan your outing.

  • The department has several Nature Centers.

    FIND A NATURE CENTER

  • We are proud to announce that we are close to the completion of the first Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation dog park at Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park which is located at 3901 Dunsmore Avenue in La Crescenta, CA 91214.  Please contact the park at (818) 249-5940 for more information on the opening date of the park.

    PARK INFO

  • If you reside in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, please contact the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works at (626)458-5100 or click on the button below. If you are within an incorporated city, please call your city business office to see which department takes care of roadside trees.

    CONTACT

  • The Department’s policy on drones is the same as the County’s policy on traditional powered model vehicles – e.g. model airplanes and helicopters – referenced in County Code sections 17.04.630, 17.12.425, and 12.08.290. There are, however, two designated locations to fly drones located at Santa Fe Dam State Recreation Area and Whittier Narrows Community Regional Park. Please call the parks for more information:

    Santa Fe Dam: 626.334.1065

    Whittier Narrows: 626.575.5526

  • Organized firework shows are sometimes scheduled in County parks. No other fireworks are permitted.

  • The department has many beautiful parks which would be great venues for your wedding. These include the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Arcadia, Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge and South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Please contact the park directly for additional information or stop by. Please note, these parks do have an entrance fee. Some people have also had lovely weddings in our community Buildings at local parks. Also, many of our golf courses have beautiful banquet rooms which are frequently used for weddings and receptions.

    FIND A PARK LISTED

  • If you would like to apply for a job please the button below.

    CLICK HERE

  • In many parks, you may reserve a group picnic area or other area of the facility for your special event. Please locate the park of your choice in this website and call the reservation office for more information.

    FIND A PARK

  • Yes, camping is allowed at some of our parks.

    WHERE TO CAMP

  • The department has several wildlife and wildflower sanctuaries located in the Antelope Valley.

    FIND A SANCTUARY

  • The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation proudly owns 177 parks including 4 Arboreta and Botanic Gardens; 92 local parks, 22 Community Regional parks, 16 Regional parks, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 8 Nature Centers, 19 Golf Courses and the beautiful John Anson Ford Amphitheatre and Hollywood Bowl.

  • Yes, dogs are permitted in County parks and on trails as long as the dog is on a leash, no longer than 6 feet in length and under the full control of the owner.  Additionally, there is a Dog Park at Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park.

    Dogs are not permitted in our Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, Golf Courses, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre and Hollywood Bowl.

    FIND A DOG PARK

  • Yes, the department has several lakes where fishing is permitted: Castaic Lake in Castaic; Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas; Legg Lake in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area; Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale; Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Baldwin Hills; Apollo Park in Lancaster; Alondra Park in Lawndale; Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park in Willowbrook; Cerritos Park in Cerritos; La Mirada Park in La Mirada; Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia and Belvedere Park in East Los Angeles.  For fishing license and equipment information, please contact the park directly.

    WHERE TO FISH

  • The department has two lakes which allow personal watercraft, such as jet skis, on the lake; Castaic Lake State Recreation Area in Castaic and Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas.  Please check with the park directly for more information on special requirements on the lake, dates and times jet skis are permitted, safety requirements and regulations, etc.

    FIND A LAKE

  • Swimming is permitted at our swim beaches at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park  and Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.  Each swim beach has specific opening and closing times.  Please contact your favorite lake for more information.

    FIND WHERE TO SWIM