Cinematic scenery from 'Planet of the Apes' and 'M.A.S.H'. at Malibu Creek State Park
Step into a scene reminiscent of the cinematic film, ‘Jurassic Park’. at Malibu Creek State Park in Malibu, California. The park is filled with lush forests, emerald creeks, volcanic geological structures, rock pools, and mountainous terrain. Activities to enjoy at the park are hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and swimming or relaxing by the creeks and rivers. Upon entering the park, visitors can climb up a steep hill to experience the captivating views of valley from the rustic water tower. Visitors can then hike to the rock pools site and enjoy a dip in the pool or watch rock climbers jump from the top of the rocks into the shallow waters. A further hike ahead of the rock pools is Century Lake, the lake is held by a dam and is surrounded by tall patchy grass. You can also enjoy watching locals jumping from the concrete walls of the dam into the lake.
Malibu Creek State Park was the film set for iconic television shows and films such as ‘M*A*S*H’ and ‘Planet of the Apes.’ The park has been preserved by donations from Hollywood icon, Bob Hope. Areas of the park was purchased by 20th Century Fox for a shooting ranch and to film country westerns and independent films such as ‘Daniel Boone’ Television series, ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,’ ‘Pleasantville’ and more! Former to being an everchanging Hollywood’ backdrop, the park was the residence of the Chumash Native Americans who inhabited and roamed the land.
For cinema fans, the park is recognized as the backdrop of the 1970s television show, ‘M*A*S*H’, and visitors can hike to the television set location which features an ambulance and vehicles from the set. The hike to this site is further away from the entrance of the park, visitors will pass the rock pools and Century Lake and walk towards the end of the park where they will encounter a creek and a cemented platform pathway. This route was suggested by a hiker that we cross paths with when we were looking for the location. However, there may be easier and recommended trails to achieve getting to this site, you can visit alltrails for hiking trails recommendations. If you do decide to take the trail from the cemented platform pathway, crossing the creek on a fallen log, visitors will cross into a isolated area and walk down a narrow path for around one to two miles on a narrow dirt path by the mountainside. Once the dirt path becomes wide and a forest is cleared, the visitors will encounter ‘M*A*S*H’ sign and a green vehicle with an ambulance logo. There are picnic tables at the television set location and signs providing information about the set. It is recommended to venture to this hiking set with a companion since it is a remote area.
A secondary film location that is popular with visitors is the rock wall featured in ‘Planet of the Apes.’ Rock climbers enjoy scaling this momentous wall and hikers enjoy walking throughout the park to spot scenes where the villages from the film were featured.
For more information, visit www.MalibuCreekStatePark.org.
Coverage by Veronica Potes // Instagram: @veropoteart
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