See all Wildlife in Malibu
Circle X Ranch
2896 Yerba Buena RoadAbout
Tucked in the canyons above Malibu and nestled below majestic Boney Mountain, you will find Circle X Ranch. This former Boy Scout camp offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. Journey to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and see several of the Channel Islands on a clear day. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a creekside picnic. Reserve the Group Camp and listen to coyote songs at night. Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in July and August. From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain retreat. The Group Campground is accessible by vehicle. Reservations required: Limit of 10 to 75 persons. A per person fee applies; Golden Age and Golden Access passport discounts do not apply. Facilities at the site include picnic tables, vault toilets, drinking water and fire grates. (Charcoal fires are permitted in fire grates or personal barbecue grills. Gas stoves are permitted. Wood or compressed log fires are prohibited due to fire hazards.) Check out time is Noon. Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM. Backcountry camping is not available. Ranch House is a facility that includes a meeting room for 75 people, a kitchen, restrooms with showers, a fireplace and lounge area. No overnight accommodations. The Ranch House is available through reservation / special permit. There are five trails ranging from an easy 1.9-mile hike to a strenuous 6-mile hike. See links for trail details. Dogs must be on leash at all times and are allowed only on trails, access roads and in the campground. Dogs are not allowed on state park trails. Trail closures may be in effect during and following significant rainfall to protect park resources. Trails will be re-opened when dry enough to sustain public use. Bicyclists and horseback riders are allowed on designated trails only.
