01
Best overall pick
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
Santa Susana Pass • Historic Ridge-And-Canyon Network • Best Overall Sampler
A compact state historic park with crisscrossing singletrack, steep shortcuts, and big-sky views right above the Santa Susana corridor.
If you only have time for one hike near Santa Susana, this is the most balanced choice, with routes that can be stitched into anything from a 45-minute loop to a solid half-day. Expect chaparral-covered hillsides, rocky outcrops, and traces of the old stagecoach route that once connected the valley and the basin. Parking is street-side in a neighborhood, so go early on weekends and be respectful of the homes you’re walking past.
02
Big-view workout
Rocky Peak Park (Rocky Peak Trail)
Simi Hills Ridgeline • Strenuous Summit Route • Best For Strong Hikers
A sustained climb from the 118 to high sandstone knobs, with some of the widest views of the Santa Susana and Simi Hills.
Starting right off the freeway, the Rocky Peak Trail wastes no time gaining elevation, but every switchback adds to the panorama over Chatsworth, Simi Valley, and the distant San Gabriels. The trail is exposed nearly the entire way, so bring sun protection and more water than you think you need. Stay alert for mountain bikers on weekends and extend along the ridge if you’re chasing extra mileage.
03
Best family option
Corriganville Park
Eastern Simi Valley • Family-Friendly Canyon Loops • Easiest Intro Option
A low-key network of dirt paths through oak-lined canyons and old movie sets, ideal for casual strolls and mixed-age groups.
Corriganville sits just over the hill from Santa Susana and works well when you want a gentler outing without sacrificing scenery. Short, mostly flat loops wind past boulders, interpretive signs, and shaded creekbeds, so you can turn around whenever the group is done. It’s a good spot for testing new hikers, walking the dog, or grabbing an after-work leg stretch before the sun goes down.
04
Sunset favorite
Sage Ranch Park
Sage Ranch Plateau • Sandstone Mesa Circuit • Best Golden-Hour Views
A loop around a high, open plateau ringed with sandstone boulders, with long views that light up at sunset.
Perched above the neighborhoods, Sage Ranch feels surprisingly airy, with big sky, scattered pines, and rock formations that kids and photographers both gravitate toward. The main loop is moderate and mostly well graded, with side paths leading to overlooks where you can watch the light sweep across the Simi Hills. Aim for late afternoon on a clear day and bring a headlamp so you’re not racing the dark back to the trailhead.
05
Long-distance escape
Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park
North Of Moorpark • Remote Canyon Fire Road • Quiet Long-Distance Outing
A broad canyon system with rolling fire roads that trade technical challenge for distance and a sense of open space.
Happy Camp sits a bit farther from Santa Susana but rewards the drive with a more backcountry feel and room to pile on miles. The main route follows old ranch and fire roads up a long valley, with steady but manageable grades that lend themselves to longer hikes or fast-paced fitness walks. There’s little shade and almost no facilities, so think in terms of an early start, solid sun gear, and a full water supply.