Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
9 mi southeast · National Park Service
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails.
Outdoors
Hiking near Thousand Oaks
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Thousand Oaks, closest first.
20places to hike
9 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
Year-roundbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Hansen Dam
28 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
The City of Los Angeles manages the extensive day-use facilities, including golf and riding stables, are available at this site in the San Fernando Valley.
Anacapa Island
31 mi southwest · National Park Service
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views.
Map of all 20 places
Map of 20 places loads as you scroll.
Within 30 miles (2)
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Hansen Dam
The City of Los Angeles manages the extensive day-use facilities, including golf and riding stables, are available at this site in the San Fernando Valley.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (15)
Anacapa Island
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- History
Lake Casitas
Lake Casitas is formed by Casitas Dam , which is a feature of the Ventura Project . Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers one of the nations best bass fishing areas.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Holiday Group Campground
Holiday Group Campground is a relaxing location to enjoy nature all year long; a quick escape from the bustle of the city. It provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking and horseback riding.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
Pyramid Lake - Los Alamos Campground
Los Alamos Campground is located 90 minutes from Los Angeles, offering a restful experience without the lengthy travel time.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Wheeler Gorge
Wheeler Gorge Campground is a great place for families to explore the Los Padres National Forest all year long. Informative tours of the area are led by forest rangers at the nearby visitor center.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Santa Cruz Island Scorpion
Fantastic ocean views and relaxing beach time is practically guaranteed at Scorpion Canyon Campground, the most family-friendly campsite on Santa Cruz Island.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Evening Programs
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
Lightning Point Group Campground
Lightning Point Campground sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet, about 25 miles southeast of Palmdale and roughly 35 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Los Padres National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Brea Dam
The recreation facilities at this project are managed by the City of Fullerton (CA) Community Services. Golf and tennis are main attractions at this project, located among the picturesque rolling hills in the City of Fullerton.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Snorkeling
Carbon Canyon Dam
Managed by Orange County, there is no permanent pool, but varied facilities such as fishing, picnic areas, a nature trail, and tennis. The site of the historic oil boom town of Olinda. Adjoins Chino Hills State Park.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Reservoir, formed by Bradbury Dam , offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
- Nature education
Traver Ranch
The Traver Ranch was established in the 1940's when the family purchased approximately 800 acres and began building the large block house that still stands along the edge of Soda Lake Road.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Temblor Recreation Area
Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of…
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (3)
Van Matre Ranch
The Van Matre family owned several farm properties throughout the plain. This property, known to them as "The Camp" was orginally homesteaded by Jerry Hagerty in 1930.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
El Mirage OHV Area
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
Painted Rock
The sandstone formation at Painted Rock has long drawn the attention of Carrizo Plain National Monument visitors. About 3,000 - 4,000 years ago, Native Americans began to paint their sacred images with the alcove of the rock.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Thousand Oaks. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Thousand Oaks
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Paradise Falls, Thousand Oaks ,CA
A local activity Short shared by Brenda Cruz.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Beautiful Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks, CA.
A local activity Short shared by Kid Troopers TV.
Watch on YouTube ↗Around Thousand Oaks
More outdoors near Thousand Oaks
- Camping near Thousand Oaks
- Fishing near Thousand Oaks
- Boating and kayaking near Thousand Oaks
- Biking and mountain biking near Thousand Oaks
- Picnic spots near Thousand Oaks
- Horseback riding near Thousand Oaks
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Thousand Oaks
- Swimming holes and lakes near Thousand Oaks
- Parks in Thousand Oaks
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Thousand Oaks?
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (National Park Service), about 9 miles southeast of Thousand Oaks as the crow flies. Next are Hansen Dam (28 mi) and Anacapa Island (31 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Thousand Oaks?
Based on Thousand Oaks’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.