Placerita Canyon Nature Center - Nature preserve in Newhall - 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, USA

Hidden gem , I love how many diverse plants , animals, and fungus! This stunning place has the hikes that are so peaceful and easy to do.10/10 recommend

The nature center itself is always fun; they have some very realistic taxidermy, some live birds, snakes and frogs, and a baby skunk. They also have a plaque with different local animal tracks. It is also home to the Oak of the Golden dream. With over 10 miles of surrounding hiking area, and roughly 1-2 miles of properly trimmed, detailed and planted trails, this is by far the best spot for hiking in Santa Clarita or the surrounding areas. Also just up the road, or just up one of the trails, you can see a local waterfall trail!

This place is free to visit and has excellent hiking trails. There is a small area to look at wild life in cages and exhibits.

My family and I recently embarked on the Placerita Canyon Waterfall Trail, and it turned out to be an absolute delight. This trail is perfect for those seeking a pleasant and picturesque hiking experience. Here are some additional details about our adventure: We began our hike at 7:40 am, and it took us approximately 2 hours to reach the final point—the majestic waterfall. The trail is well-marked and easy to navigate, allowing us to enjoy the journey at a comfortable pace. The return trip took us about 1 hour, providing ample time to relish the serene surroundings. One thing to note is that you'll need to cross the river several times during the hike. However, when we visited in late May, the river wasn't particularly wide or challenging to traverse. We managed to cross without any issues, and it added a fun element to our adventure. The Placerita Canyon Waterfall Trail is suitable for hikers of all ages and fitness levels. We had my mom, two kids aged 7 and 10, and even our furry friend, our dog, accompanying us. The trail offers a gentle incline with an elevation gain of 570 feet, making it easily manageable for everyone. The hike itself is a visual treat. The trail is enveloped in lush greenery, with towering trees providing shade along the way. We were treated to an abundance of natural beauty, from wildflowers dotting the path to chirping birds and colorful butterflies. It's the perfect blend of tranquility and scenic splendor. The trail spans approximately 4.7 miles and follows an out-and-back route. As you approach the final 0.4 miles, the hike becomes even more enjoyable as you navigate across rocks. It adds a touch of excitement and a unique element to the overall experience. Parking facilities were ample, and the trailhead was well-maintained. Throughout our hike, we noticed the cleanliness of the area, including the picnic spots along the trail. It's evident that the trail's upkeep is a priority, ensuring a pleasant and pristine environment for visitors.

Excellent place to hike or just walk around the park. It seems so far away from the busy freeway of LA. There's nature and history to explore.

We really enjoyed the hike up to the falls. Our dogs had a blast and the canyon was well preserved and had tons of beautiful wild flowers ripe for the picking. There was portapottys available and they were clean and in proper supply-toilet paper and hand sanitizer was provided- there was several water stations Available for our dogs or horses and places with benches to rest and picnic tables to have lunch. We liked it! Definitely worth while to visit!!

This is a great place for hiking! Hike the canyon trail to the end and then take the waterfall trail all the way to the waterfall, it's so beautiful! The entire hike is about 5 miles up and back. Kid's can do the hike as well, my kids got tired towards the end of the canyon trail. But there is quite a bit of poison oak so be aware and don't touch it! There's running water creek the whole way, you might see some frogs! You'll also have to cross the creek many times during your hike and you will probably get wet. But don't let it stop you, it's great exercise and a lot of fun for the whole family! Also visit the Nature Center, there are live animals and it's very informative. Parking is free btw.

This place was beautiful. Major hiking trails here. As far as I could see there are 3 trails all different levels of difficulty. The one trail you have to cross the creek a few times, so be prepared because your shows will get wet. They also have really nice picnic areas and when going across the trail with the water watch out for the tadpoles and frogs. Super cute to see them