Franklin Canyon Park

Two Canyons in One

Franklin Canyon divides itself into upper and lower sections, each with a different feel. The upper canyon, accessed from Mulholland Drive, centers on the three-acre reservoir ringed by a gentle walking path. Oak trees shade picnic tables near the water, and the Sooky Goldman Nature Center sits just uphill from the lake, offering hands-on exhibits about local ecology. Heavenly Pond, a smaller ADA-accessible body of water, attracts turtles and waterfowl year-round.

The lower canyon, reached from Beverly Drive, feels more remote. Here you’ll find the trailhead for Hastain Trail, which climbs through chaparral to an overlook at 1,000 feet elevation. On clear days, you can see across west Los Angeles to the ocean. The Spanish-style Doheny Ranch house from 1935 still stands at the base of the trail, a reminder of when oil baron Edward Doheny used this canyon as his family’s summer retreat.

Walking the Reservoir Loop

The most popular activity is the one-mile loop around Franklin Canyon Reservoir. The path is paved in sections and dirt in others, wide enough for strollers and wheelchairs at the duck pond. Bring bread crumbs—Mandarin ducks, wood ducks, and Canada geese gather near the shore, along with the occasional great blue heron. The lake sits in a natural bowl, so you’re walking in dappled shade for much of the circuit.

Benches line the water at intervals. Early morning brings joggers and dog walkers. Afternoons see families with young children feeding ducks. The pace is slow and the crowds are light, even on weekends. If you’re visiting with kids, stop at the nature center first—they can identify the birds they see on the trail using what they learned inside.

Hastain Trail and the Film History

If you want elevation gain, head to Hastain Trail in the lower canyon. The route climbs steadily up a fire road, gaining 550 feet over 1.1 miles to reach a rocky outcrop with panoramic views. From there, you can loop back down through chaparral on a narrower single-track trail. The full circuit is 2.3 miles.

This is the same terrain where WWII series Combat filmed nearly every episode of its fifth season. The Andy Griffith Show shot its opening sequence at the lake in 1960. Claudette Colbert’s hitchhiking scene in It Happened One Night (1934) was filmed on the access road near Heavenly Pond. Twin Peaks used a ring of sycamores here as Glastonbury Grove, the entrance to the Black Lodge. About 25 productions still film here annually, drawn by the lack of palm trees and the park’s proximity to studios.

You might spot film crews during your visit—they’re required to stay out of hikers’ way, but you’ll occasionally need to walk around equipment trucks parked along Franklin Canyon Drive. The park’s film permit fees help fund the nature center and outdoor classroom programs.

Wildlife and Birdwatching

Franklin Canyon sits on the Pacific Flyway, making it a stopover point for migratory birds. Spring and fall bring warblers, flycatchers, and neo-tropical migrants passing through on their way north or south. Year-round residents include seven species of hawks, great horned owls, and the bright-plumaged Mandarin ducks (originally from Asia, now breeding wild in California).

Early morning is best for birdwatching. The canyon wakes up with birdsong before 7 a.m., and the light is soft on the water. Bring binoculars. The nature center keeps a checklist of birds spotted in the park—over 100 species have been documented here.

Mammals are harder to spot but present: coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes, and the occasional mountain lion pass through. Frogs call from the pond edges at dusk. Garter snakes sun themselves on the trail in warm weather.

Planning Your Visit

The park opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. daily. There are two entry points: from Mulholland Drive for the upper canyon and nature center, or from Beverly Drive for the lower canyon and Hastain Trail. Both routes follow Franklin Canyon Drive, a winding two-lane road with several stop signs monitored by automated cameras. Stop completely—the tickets are real and cost $175.

Parking is free at both ends. The main lot near the reservoir holds about 30 cars and rarely fills. Restrooms are available near the nature center and at the lower ranch area. Cell service is spotty in the canyon.

Pack water for the Hastain Trail—there’s little shade once you climb above the oak woodland. The reservoir loop stays cooler. Dogs are allowed on all trails but must be leashed. Swimming and fishing are not permitted in the lake or pond.

The Sooky Goldman Nature Center keeps limited hours (Wednesday through Saturday, typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but call ahead to confirm). Inside, you’ll find taxidermy displays, a small gift shop, and interactive exhibits about water conservation and native plants. The William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom hosts school groups during the week—mornings can be busy with children on field trips.

Franklin Canyon gives you forest and water in the middle of Los Angeles, a place where Hollywood history and natural history share the same trails. The crowds stay manageable, the admission stays free, and the ducks keep paddling through scenes that have appeared in films for nearly a century.