This out-of-the-way park is managed by MRCA and asks for a $5 parking fee if you park in the top lot. However, you can avoid the fee by parking below and walking up the hill. The trails are beautifully maintained and there are some great views to be had of the Simi Valley area. This is a scenic way to get some exercise and fresh air. Highly recommended. read more

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One of the best trails out there. Especially with the little rains replenishing the greenery. Try to wear shoes with more grip. Gorgeous views at every step. Sunrise and sunsets are spectacular. read more

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Located next to the former Santa Susana Field Laboratory/Rocketdyne facility, home to Burro Flats Painted Cave, this location has tons of history to read about before you visit. It was surprising to learn that the park was named after the family that once owned the property and not the plant. The 625-acre park has only one trail, the 2.5-mile Loop Trail. Currently there is a detour route in effect due to environmental clean-up of skeet-shooting debris. The detour bisects through the center of the original trail. There original sections of the trail are wide and well-marked with intermittent signage. The detour portion is more narrow and overgrown in areas. The highlight of the trail are the sandstone rock formations. There are a number of small caves and rock shelters that you can explore. Reaching the rock formations require a short trek through tall grasses. If you decide to go off trail I recommend wearing long pants and hiking shoes with good tread. Be sure to watch closely for rattlesnakes. I picked the right time visit since there were tons of blooming wildflowers. Unfortunately the flowers also brought the bees that you will hear buzzing in the background if you visit in the spring. It was not very crowded the day I visited. I suggest parking in the lower parking lot if you want to avoid paying the parking fee. Bathrooms are available onsite. read more

Anyone who describes this as an "entry level hike" has a really different idea than me of what "entry level" is. It ISN'T having to slide down a hill on my butt because the trail is so steep and muddy there's simply no other safe way to descend. It ISN'T having segments of the trail so close to the edge of a steep embankment -- and so slanted -- that you have to get down on your hands and knees to get through, hoping you don't slide off anyway because of the mud. Now granted, I'm talking about the DETOUR segment of the trail here. As others have pointed out, the first part of the hike, till you get to the detour, isn't too bad, and of course there are wonderful views all the way along. If the full, original trail ever reopens, or they create a better, safer detour, I'd happily add more stars to my review. However, if you're not an athlete and/or a daredevil, my recommendation is (1) take a really sturdy hiking pole and (2) turn around and go back as soon as you spot that "Loop Trail Detour" sign! Trust me - it's a sign from God!! read more

Sage Ranch Park - The infamous detour sign! - Hiking Near Me - Simi Valley, California

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When you need to recharge, this is the place to go, especially if you live near here. The loop is great way to get in some exercise and remind yourself that not everything is on your phone. All you need to do is look up... and look around. Check out my pics! read more

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Best thing about this park is that it's empty. That's the most surprising thing too. So many people have yelped good things about it and every time I go, there might be 2 or 3 other people or couples there at the most. We bring the dogs and climb the rocks and frolic through the grass and weeds. The dogs love it. There's even a camp site looking area with parking stalls for all. They even have a little amphitheater type seating area. https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10303450_10152451026815259_49549126336655434_n.jpg read more

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Great 2 mile loop. Can be changing at the end with the hills. Fun to see the backside of the plant read more

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BACKGROUND: Located high in the northwestern Simi Hills between the San Fernando and Simi Valleys at the Los Angeles-Ventura county line, 625-acre Sage Ranch Park provides some of the most beautiful and easily accessible trails in the area. Park features include massive sandstone rock formations, expansive views, ample parking, an outdoor amphitheater with views of the spectacular outcroppings, picnic tables, restrooms and drinking fountains. Situated in a critical cross-mountain wildlife corridor, the park is rich with fragrant coastal sage scrub, chaparral, native grasses, oak woodlands, and wildflower meadows. Avocado and orange groves - remnants of the site's ranching history - remain. The southwest region of the park contains a significant riparian area replete with oaks, sycamores, walnuts, and ferns. Springtime at Sage Ranch brings running springs and lush grass to the park - a brilliant contrast to the tawny sandstone rock outcroppings. STATS: Distance: 2.6 mile loop trail Elevation Gain: Less than 500 ft. depending what you do More of a stroll Snakes on trail Poison Oak grows freely Ten campground sites Tent camping only Available by advance reservation for organized groups OUR ROUTE: Sage Ranch is where The Crew has celebrated their anniversary for the past several years. We don't really take any type of route, we tend to just roam around the ranch and climb some rocks to work up and appetite for our potluck dinner ending the evening with a really bad movie and sleepover. Sage Ranch is quaint place to get away from everything and just relax. There are no difficult trails or routes, but plenty to see and do. As you can see the sunsets are always amazing. But watch out there are snakes and poison oak throughout the area. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up. read more

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Huge park which is great for hiking. Helped my daughter plant her first oak tree. Sky Valley Volunteers are helping plant trees in the park. read more

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Took this hike yesterday for the first time and absolutely loved it! There's so much to see here, massive rock outcroppings to climb, green fields of grass and stunning wildflowers. We did take the detour and unlike other reviewers, we didn't find it difficult at all and I am not a rock star athlete by any means. Perhaps it's because the trail has dried out now, so it's not as slippery going up and down the inclines as it may have been a few weeks back. He detour has some steep inclines but no, more difficult than other hikes in the area. read more

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I've been hiking this trail for over 10 years. About 2 years ago a portion of the trail was quarantined for chemical treatment (or something like that) and eventually they created a proper detour path. I used to hike from the bottom parking lot to the camp area and back which is no longer possible. While the trail was in sections moderately challenging, the detour is considerably more difficult assuming you come at it from the top parking area (as opposed to starting at the camp area). he detour trail also gets really narrow along steep embankments and a few times my foot slipped and it took grabbing at branches to stop me from tumbling down. On top of that, due to the valley location of the detour trail, the air stagnates making it quite the endurance test on hotter days. I still really like this trail but it's changed a lot from what it used it be. read more

Tucked away in the hidden part of the west valley, up a narrow, windy mountain road, is Sage Ranch Park. The lower parking lot is free, so save yourself $5 and park right after you turn off the road. The road up to the upper parking lot is steep, but you're here to hike, so it shouldn't be an issue. The loop is well sign posted, and the views are stunning. Simi is laid out before you at numerous points, and the rocks jutting up are just so so so cool to loop at. The seemingly permanent detour is more trail like than most people in L.A. may be used to, but unless you have mobility issues, it's still a very basic entry level hike. Probably a good hike to take someone on who you want to lure into longer hikes. If they complain too much here, know you'll have to stick them with flat fire roads moving forward. Watch for snakes, but it's the mountains, so there's always that risk. If you pay attention you'll be fine. There's a bathroom at the beginning and end of the loop, as well as trash cans (no excuse to leave your coffee cup a quarter mile into the trail). Easy, accessible, gorgeous hike that highlights the flora of the west valley. Tons of giant rocks to climb on. read more

Sage Ranch Park is not named after the plant which is abundant here. It is named for the rancher who raised cattle here from the mid 1940's until the mid 1980's. You can either park down the hill by the entrance, or drive up the hill toward the campground and park there like I did and pay an honor system of $5.00. You can also drive up there just to have a picnic and enjoy the view. We walked down toward the oak covered campground and pick up the trail head adjacent to campsite #7 (trail loop). The trail meanders through the Chatsworth formation sandstone whose tilted structure is evidence of the Simi Hills rapid uplift. The northern portion of the loop provides nice views of the east end of Simi Valley. The many sandstone boulders provide a means of avoiding the heavy chaparral growth to gain access to the scenic views. There's a fairly well hidden picnic table on the south side of the loop trail that would make a nice place for a picnic on a sunny day. (34.23725°N 118.68080°W). The trail shoots between a sandstone formation and a stand of Eucalyptus. A normally dry creek runs just south of the trees. I would recommend this hike to anyone looking for an easy (close to the city) hike. RATTLESNAKE WARNING: be careful if you bring dogs or children there are a lot of rattlesnakes here. We stumbled upon a Southern Pacific rattlesnake and heard lots of shaking in the brush by the trail. I would wear tall hiking boots and loose pants. I gave this place a lower review because the amount of snake activity. It freaks me out so it makes my experience less enjoyable. If you go in cooler months and are not intimidated by rattlesnakes you most likely would give this place a higher review. I do however recommend a drive up to the top picnic area just to take in the view. read more

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I wish I had read the yelp reviews and not the alltrail's one. Because then I would've read the rattlesnake warnings and I wouldn't have chosen to hike alone. Yesterday, while hiking alone, I not only saw a rattlesnake, homie was OUT on the trail, not hidden. Thank goodness I didn't have my kids or dogs. Thank goodness that I had stopped running and was looking down because I would've run right into him. This is a beautiful trail. And we're in THEIR home, not ours. But this Southern California girl who now calls Colorado home, and is an active hiker, knows that rattlers hanging out on the trail like that is scary as f@ck. I ran for my life and I'm grateful that he didn't see me and that snakes don't run after us. Be smart and safe, friends!!! read more

I really enjoying hiking here! Sure it's not like Runyon Canyon but it's so peaceful here. No crowds or lots of dogs to deal with. I love that not a lot of people come here. It's secluded and small, but is useful for getting your fitness on! I have seen a small snake here before so beware. Fairly easy trails to follow. Don't forget to admire turtle rock - it really looks like a turtle. :) read more

A really good walk among interesting scrub, boulders, and rock formations on a mesa overlooking the Simi Valley. Lots of history here with it acting as a western movie set from the 30s to the 50s and, later, an adjacent rocket testing and nuclear facility. There is a nice, easy, loop trail that takes you around the mesa with some ups and downs but nothing too steep. No need for hiking boots. There is only a little shade when the sun is low. As others have written, park near the entrance and walk up the road to save the parking fee. One porta potty at the end of the loop. Also, plenty of picnic tables. read more

I've hiked this park maybe 6-7 times already and love doing the Sage loop. It's a great combination of up and down along with some side trails that bring you to do a little rock scrambling to fantastic views of Simi Valley. nice wide paths make it great for families or couples of any fitness range. Some of the rock formations are majestic and just take some time to climb to the top to just hang for half an hour, have a quick bite to eat and enjoy the views. Other than in the middle of the park, there's just not a whole lot of shade, so prepare with plenty of water in the warmer months. There's also a "campground" here but I've never seen anyone actually setup a tent or bring a camper to the spaces. Something hard to find so close to a retired nuclear plant that had a leak larger than 3-Mile Island. Yeah, okay, I said it - now Google it for yourself. I don't feel threatened at all by anything radioactive, but the six toes on each foot beg to differ. Seriously - a great park and very close to my home! read more

What a great little hidden gem! We hiked in winter, so no signs of rattlesnakes, but I can certainly understand why you may see a lot of them in warmer seasons, there are tons of rocks for them to sun. A few things to note going up to the park: 1.) You cannot bike or jog to the site, there are multiple signs prohibiting this, it could be dangerous. 2.) It is a STEEP incline on the car ride up from the main road, this makes some people very nervous, if you're one of them, you may want to skip this. 3.) When you pull in, the first parking lot is free, if you head up through the second gate on the right, the parking is $5 at the Iron Ranger. 4.) There are (2) portable toilets, one in the paid parking lot and one in the campground. 5.) The paid parking lot has two trail entrances, one on the left, and one on the right, I recommend taking the trailhead on the right, as getting onto the loop is much more straightforward. 6.) If you take the trailhead on the left, find campsite #7 to the entrance of the loop trail. When you get to the loop trail sign at the fork in the road, go left, going right just takes you straight back to the parking lot. 7.) There are picnic tables, so bring a lunch/dinner or snack! We really enjoyed our hike, it was not particularly strenuous (but we are avid hikers). Newbies may struggle a bit, but it should still be "doable" for most people. It is not designed to be wheelchair accessible or stroller accessible. My husband and I are BIG fans of Valley history, and he has wanted to get a good view of the Santa Susana Field Lab for a long time, so he was REALLY excited to see it. If you are a history buff too, a simple Google search will shock and amaze you, and you'll want to get right back out on the trail to check it out too. Happy hiking! read more

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I had a fantastic time up here today. I was looking for a moderate, low milage hike with my bf and the dog. It was rather empty even on a sunny weekend day. I enjoyed the views, rocks, and grasses waving in the breeze. We took a little detour to climb the big boulders and sit and look out at the valley. We did come upon a rattlesnake sunning itself in the middle of the trail. It rattled and then quickly slid into the bushes. A little scary but this is their home, not ours. Just keep your eyes and ears open and you'll be fine. read more

Wow! I cant believe I never knew about this park/trail. My family just moved nearby and decided to Check this place out and it is amazing. Free parking at the bottom, $5 up top but the walk up is easy. There is a scenic loop trail that has interest rock formations everywhere and sprawling views of Simi Valley and the rocky landscape surrounding. The trail we took was around 3 miles and brought us right back to the free parking lot. We went on New Year's Day and there were barely any other people there. I love being alone on hikes so this made me happy. This will be my new hiking spot. Great location for photography as well, I plan on returning to take sunset pictures. read more

I am thinking this is the place I'm thinking of... I remember walking Sunny and Blackie here...and Sunny was already old... but he "out walked" Blackie. Alas, Sunny has too much arthritis to walk now... but he was very agile in his youth. Anyway, we walked the whole trail...and I did not see any snakes. If I did, I would have freaked out! read more

What a great morning out. I love it here we took lots of photographs. Easy hike some great views. Pack a lunch and some water and off you go. Don't forget to pay your $5.00 fee when you park. Enjoy read more

Sage Ranch Park - Hiking Near Me - Simi Valley, California

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Really beautiful park. When we went, the campground looked like a ghost town, but it was a fun experience frolicking about the brush and rocks. read more

Sage Ranch Park - Hiking Near Me - Simi Valley, California

The road to get here is very steep and very windy. We got there and left for fear of getting home safely at sunset.

If you combined Vasquez rocks and Placerita into one hike this would be it. There' s an uphill option (would be a phenomenal view) and a lower Loop Trail, which my mother and I were able to do quite easily. However, the spot is immediately next to an old nuclear reactor--you get very good views of it during the hike--and I did not realize that the site will be contaminated for another 250 years or so. :/ Wish I'd known before we went. ..I thought it was just a Boeing facility. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAHmaEs5cYU&feature=youtube_gdata_player read more

It's probably a nice enough park, but the trail detour is steep, loose and requires significant athletic ability to complete, but there is no signage to warn and consequent pain and discomfort ensued. Very negligent of the Rangers there to not put up warnings about the true nature of the trail detour. It's not a simple hike like the rest of the loop is, it's dangerous to all put elite athletes. read more

Not so isolated it's scary - but a very clear path and a beautiful hike with lots of great rocks for climbing!

Great views and a nice trail. But, the other reviewers are right about the rattlesnakes. DO NOT take children and dogs on this trail!

It's a very quick beautifully scenic hike. I agree with the moderately difficult assessment. The loop takes me about 1 hour and 5 or 10 minutes. Great views of the Simi Valley and on the other side : San Fernando valley. I live just below it, so when I'm pressed for time and don't have the time drive over to Cabellero Canyon or the Backbone trail or fryman trail. I jump on this and get some good quick exercise. read more

Nice little hike with cool rock formations and great views of the valley. Took about 2.5 hours to go around. Great for dogs too. NOTE: If you find yourself at the campground area, just walk to the far side around campsite #9 and you will see where the Loop picks up and takes you back to the main path. read more

I love this hike, partly because it's SO close to home and partly because it has a little of everything. It has some steep portions, some grassy areas, some gravel, easy parking, beautiful views, areas to rock climb and more. It is a nice spot for sunset as well and never crowded. read more